Message Board

Dear Friends,

August brings together two significant celebrations: the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the 80th Independence Day of India. One is a feast of faith; the other, a celebration of national freedom. Yet both invite us to reflect on a deeper question: What does it truly mean to be free?

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the glorious fulfilment of a life fully surrendered to God. Mary’s greatness lies not in worldly power or privilege but in her courageous “Yes” to God’s will. Her life reminds us that history is transformed not only by extraordinary leaders but also by ordinary people who live with conviction, compassion, and unwavering trust in God. Mary’s ‘Magnificat’ is more than a hymn of praise; it is God’s vision for a just society. Her Assumption therefore is an invitation to participate in God’s work of justice here and now. As we honour Mary, we must ask ourselves: Do we stand beside those who suffer injustice? Are we helping to build a nation assured of equality, liberty, and fraternity to all the people?

India’s freedom was won through the great sacrifices of countless freedom fighters who dreamed of a nation where every citizen could live with dignity and freedom. We gratefully remember their courage and commitment. Yet political independence, precious as it is, can never be the final goal. A nation is truly free only when every person, especially the poor, the marginalized and the Dalits can flourish without fear or discrimination.

The greatness of a nation cannot be measured solely by economic growth, and technological innovation. Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen reminds us that genuine development is the expansion of human freedom - the freedom to learn, to work, to participate in society, to dream, and to live without fear. Development that excludes the poor, neglects justice, or silences the voices of ordinary citizens, remains incomplete.

The signs of our times make this reflection particularly urgent. Across South Asia, from Sri Lanka to Bangladesh and among many young people across India, we are witnessing an awakening. They demand transparency, fairness, employment and equal opportunities. Although each movement has its own distinct context, they reveal a common truth: today’s young people are not merely asking for jobs or education; they are searching for meaning, justice, and hope. Whenever their aspirations are ignored, they become the conscience of society.

It is within this context that the letter of our Superior General, Fr. Arturo Sosa, S.J., dated 24 May 2026, becomes quite significant. Our commitment to the Third Universal Apostolic Preference: “Walking with the Young,” invites us not simply to work for young people but to walk with them. True accompaniment means listening patiently to their questions, discerning their hopes, sharing their struggles, and helping them discover God’s presence amid uncertainty. Young people are not merely the future of society; they are active protagonists of its present transformation.

As friends in the Lord, we are called to accompany the young with hope and confidence. As we celebrate both faith and freedom, may Mary’s courageous “Yes” inspire our own commitment to God and to our nation. Let us strive for an India where freedom is measured not merely by political sovereignty but by justice, dignity, inclusion and opportunity for all.

Rabindranath Tagore’s poignant and courageous prayer continues to inspire us: Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;

Where knowledge is free...

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

As we celebrate Mary’s Assumption and India’s Independence, let us pray especially for our young people. May they dream with courage, seek justice, and become architects of a more peaceful and inclusive India. Inspired by Mary’s faithful “Yes,” may we accompany them with hope and confidence, echoing the words of Fr. Arturo Sosa: “Courage. We are walking with you.”

Fr. Thomas Amirtham, S.J.,

Provincial, The Jesuit Madurai Province