The Young Priests’ Quinquennium Meeting of the Province of St Joseph (INH) was held on 11–12 November 2025 at Don Bosco PARA (People’s Action for Rural Awakening), Ravulapalem, bringing together 30 young priests for two days of reflection on constitutional values, pastoral responsibilities and youth engagement. The gathering strengthened the commitment of young clergy to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, both within the Church and in society at large.
Two major sessions were led by noted political economist Dr Parakala Prabhakar, who addressed the themes of Constitutional Values and the Challenges to Constitutional Values. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of political history, he traced the turbulent struggles that shaped the drafting of India’s Constitution, including the bitter divisions, massacres and communal violence that preceded the adoption of the Preamble. The sessions were deeply impactful, particularly as Dr Prabhakar shared experiences from his long association with movements defending the rights and dignity of marginalised groups. “The journey to uphold constitutional values must continue despite struggles and intimidations,” he said. “Results may not always be immediate, but perseverance is our duty.”
A panel discussion followed, featuring Dr Jose Maliekal, Ms Subbayamma and Advocate Rajesh Edida, who explored the responsibilities of religious citizens in responding to contemporary constitutional challenges. The conversation highlighted the need for clarity, courage and informed engagement among clergy in an increasingly polarised socio-political landscape. This was followed by a session on engaging with the youth, led by Fr Palla Joseph, Fr Pramod Bagsingh and Fr Prasanna Kumar, who spoke about the shifting expectations and cultural realities of young people today and the pastoral sensitivity required to guide them meaningfully.
The second day sessions were led by Fr Thomas Pallithanam, Rector of the PARA community, who animated group work on the themes “What do I believe when I say I believe?” and “Planning to Engage with the Youth.” These exercises invited the young priests to examine their own convictions and renew their commitment to credible and compassionate pastoral ministry.
The meeting concluded with an open house session with Provincial Fr Santiagu Thomas, who listened to the concerns, feedback and aspirations of the young clergy. He encouraged them to remain steadfast in their mission, saying that priestly life today requires “courage to stand for truth, compassion for the suffering and a constant readiness to serve.”
