Jhadol is a mission parish in the Diocese of Udaipur in Rajasthan. Geographically, it is in an interior village called Leelawas around 60 kms away from Udaipur, the district head quarter. This place is situated in the Aravli Mountains. This mission consists of 44 villages. All the people in this area belong to Bhil Tribe. Their main occupation is farming. We the SVDs are here from 1993 and so far we are doing well in evangelization. In our campus we have a Church, Convent for PSA (Prabhudasi Sisters of Ajmer) sisters, hostels for both boys and girls and some land for cultivation.
The main thrust and focus of this mission has been primary evangelization and catechesis from its inception. Our mission here involves medical-social work, the pastoral visits and village Mass, education in the school, the self-help groups, SCC prayers and meetings aid them in many ways to be connected with us. Although the villages are far and wide and there are no proper transport facilities, we keep making pastoral visits. The youth and Jyoti Sang (3rd to 8th catholic school children association) animation help the younger boys and girls in various ways.
In order to give primary education to the poor children we have a school Nirmala Niketan Vidyalay. The education here serves as a hallmark in our children’s life. The hostel facilities for both boys and girls serve the purpose of concentrated education. Although the space is insufficient for the number of children, we try to promote discipline and good manners in our time-table and give them the right motivation for their life. We have special meetings and Eucharistic celebration for hostel children two times a week and we have observed some changes in their life.
Although there are so many things happening within the campus and outside in the villages, we find slow response of the people in the villages and the children in the hostels. This has been one of the main hindrances in the progress of the mission.
-Fr. John David J. SVD
