2007- A Short History of the Bangladesh  Mission

The mission of the Daughters of Jesus in Bangladesh began with an invitation from Most Rev. Paul Ponen Kubi, CSC, Bishop of the Diocese of Mymensingh, in 2004. The Bishop desired the presence of the Congregation in the Diocese, particularly to accompany the Garo Mandi people of Utrail, Birisiri, then under the Parish of Ranikhong. He hoped that the Sisters would help Catholic communities, especially the Garo Mandi people, to deepen and mature in their faith while promoting their integral human development.

The invitation was received as a concrete sign of God’s call to the Congregation. It was preceded by a period of dialogue, prayer, discernment, data gathering, and ocular visits to Bangladesh by representatives of the General Government, the Philippine Province, and the Vice Province of Japan. The Congregation eventually accepted the invitation, seeing in it an opportunity to live the missionary spirit of Mother Foundress, Saint Cándida María de Jesús: “I will go to the uttermost part of the world in search for souls.”

On April 5, 2007, the pioneer Sisters, Sr. Lorna Bonghanoy and Sr. Normida Marquez, arrived in Bangladesh. They initially studied the Bangla language in Dhaka and gradually began their pastoral presence among the people of Utrail and Birisiri. Other Sisters followed: Sr. Lory Natividad Losbanes in December 2007; Sr. Mary Juelar in 2008; Srs. Helen Catangcatang and Marilou Guillano in 2009; Sr. Rachel Bade in 2014; Srs. Eufemia Solleza and Felie Acelo in 2017; and Sr. Eufemia Pomado in 2022. Over the years, the Sisters’ presence developed through pastoral work, education, social formation, and the accompaniment of young people.

Pastoral and Social Formation

In the early years, the Sisters lived within the compound of the Mother Teresa Hostel, formerly used by students of the Primary Teachers’ Institute (PTI). When the PTI closed, the hostel accommodated students in Classes 11 and 12, whom the Sisters managed and accompanied pastorally for several years. A separate house for the Sisters was eventually built within the compound through the support of the Congregation and the Diocese.

A significant development in the mission was the inauguration of the Pastoral Social Formation Center on March 3, 2010. Srs. Mary Juelar and Lory Natividad Losbanes were assigned to this ministry by Sr. Pilar Martínez, Delegate of the Bangladesh Mission. The Center seeks to promote the integral development of people through socio-educational and spiritual formation rooted in faith in Jesus Christ, while fostering respect for human dignity and human rights, appreciation of different beliefs, economic development, and care for our common home.

Through the years, the Center has organized and facilitated seminars, assemblies, and formation programs for various groups within and beyond the Diocese, including priests, religious men and women, youth, professionals, catechists, NGO personnel, indigenous communities, interfaith groups, and government officials. In this way, the mission has become a space for dialogue, formation, collaboration, and service.

Accompaniment of Young People

The educational apostolate gradually became another important expression of the mission. In 2011, the St. Cándida Hostel opened for girls in Classes 3–6 and eventually expanded its accommodation to students up to Class 10. The hostel primarily serves students of St. Xavier School, in collaboration with the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB). The Sisters accompany the girls not only in their studies and daily life but also in their spiritual and human formation.

From January to February 2011, while the St. Cándida Hostel was still under construction, the first group of girls temporarily stayed at the old Mother Teresa Hostel. The St. Cándida Hostel subsequently became an important place of formation and accompaniment for young girls coming from different communities.

For those who complete Class 10, the journey continues. From 2018 to 2022, the SDB built a new three-story Mother Teresa Hostel, intended for young women in Classes 11 and 12, who study at Don Bosco College. The hostel is managed by the Daughters of Jesus. Thus, many of the girls who begin their formation at St. Cándida Hostel continue their education and accompaniment at Mother Teresa Hostel for Classes 11 and 12.

A Continuing Mission of Accompaniment

The hostels share a common formative vision: to renew and deepen one’s relationship with God and with all His creation. Their formation seeks to help the young women become Jesus’ joyful and caring presence, growing as honest, disciplined, responsible, and compassionate persons.

Formation of the hostel girls and lay collaborators continues through regular activities, evaluation, and revision of programs. At the same time, the Sisters maintain their collaboration with the Parish and the Salesians of Don Bosco, including pastoral visits to the villages of Utrail.

From its beginnings in 2007, the Bangladesh Mission has therefore grown from a response to a diocesan invitation into a multifaceted missionary presence. Through pastoral accompaniment, education, social formation, hostel ministry, dialogue, and collaboration, the Daughters of Jesus continue to accompany the people entrusted to them, especially the Garo Mandi community and the young people, seeking to make God’s loving presence tangible in their lives.

Sr. Eufemia T. Solleza, FI (Bangladesh) 2/6/26