Caritas India Marks 64 Years of Service with Gratitude and Renewed Commitment

“Christian love cannot remain only in our hearts. Love must become action.” With these words, Fr. Mathew Koyickal, Deputy Secretary General of CBCI, set the tone as Caritas India celebrated its 64th anniversary on 1 October 2026, a day that was part thanksgiving, part family reunion and part call to the future.

The programme began with a warm welcome from Fr. Jesudass, Executive Director of Caritas India. He greeted the CBCI, represented by Fr. Mathew Koyickal, along with the commission priests and sisters present in person, Governing Body members, forum directors and regional staff.

The Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Linus Neli, joined through a video message. He reminded the gathering that the motto of Caritas India, the joy of service, is not just a sentiment but a commitment lived out across the nation. He thanked diocesan partners, volunteers, donors and staff for their selfless work and urged everyone to keep reaching the unreached and restoring hope where there is despair.

Fr. Richard Pias, Director of KROSS and Governing Body member, spoke on behalf of the forum directors. He said 64 years of Caritas is 64 years of nation building and deserves to be celebrated every year. He proudly noted that the network today includes 174 partner organisations and 14 regional organisations. Recalling how he first heard of Caritas as a young assistant parish priest 24 years ago, he reminded everyone that “we are all coworkers in God’s field,” as Saint Paul says. He also made a practical appeal. Caritas should put together its impact data so it can show officials, the public and the government how much it has contributed to the nation.

A short film then traced the journey of Caritas India since its inception, with its major milestones. Fr. Mathew said the images of volunteers, priests and sisters reaching out to people in disasters reminded him of those who began this movement. The hall observed a moment of silent prayer for the pioneers who have passed away.

Senior staff members then shared their own experiences and journeys with Caritas India, bringing the years to life with memories of hard work, community and faith.

In his message, Fr. Mathew described Caritas as “the Church making the compassionate heart of Christ visible in society.” He challenged the team to move from relief to transformation, and to help people become stronger, not only to respond to suffering. His vision for the future was simple. A Caritas built on integrity, driven by sincerity and expressed through charity. He also conveyed the greetings and continued support of the CBCI President, Cardinal Antony Pula, and the office bearers.

The Bishop of Rajkot, Most Rev. Mar Jose Chittooparambil, who joined online from Rajkot, said he has walked with Caritas since 1994 and has seen its ups and downs and how it has always risen again to serve. He called Caritas India the social face of the Church in India and a sign of the compassionate face of Christ. He praised its work in disaster response, community organisation and bringing the poor, the marginalised and the differently abled into the mainstream with dignity. He urged the staff to uphold Kingdom values and the credibility of the organisation, and prayed that they take up the noble legacy with new vitality and vibrancy.

As Caritas India steps into its 65th year, one message echoed through the day. Wherever there is suffering, exclusion or helplessness, there must be Caritas, and someone ready to say “I am here to serve you.”