He is currently a student at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Rome) where she is pursuing a degree in Institutional Social Communication. She is the first religious of her congregation to do these studies for the evangelization of her country. This missionary tells her testimony of her vocation and how Christians live as a minority in India.
He was born on May 20, 1989 in India, in Torpa, in the state of Jharkhand, into a Catholic family. He grew up in a Christian environment and studied in a Catholic school with his siblings, along with students of other religions. In a tribal, Christian-educated environment, he grew up at home with his parents. He soon decided to join the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Anne (DSA)an institution founded in India.
"This is a very familiar congregation for me, because I studied in their school. After high school, when I was 17, I felt a special call to enter religious life. I actually wanted to as a child, but seeing the sisters inspired me to want to be like them. From time to time, when I would go to Mass at the parish, I would observe the life and service of the nuns. That's where the seed of my vocation was born," Alice says.
She received formation to enter her congregation in 2006 for three and a half years. She then made her first vows in 2009. After an experience of eight years of religious life, she learned all the activities and apostolates, consecrating herself to the Lord with perpetual vows in 2017.
"My Congregation was erected in Ranchi on July 26, 1897 by Archbishop Paul Goethals in response to the situation and needs of the contemporary local Church. It is an Indian congregation recognized by pontifical right. Our charism is Better service with the love of JesusWe have been called especially to proclaim the Good News to the meek, to heal the sick, to serve the poor and oppressed, to work for the education of children and women, and to provide special care to help others on their eternal journey to heaven," Sister Alice emphasizes.
To fulfill this objective, "God has endowed us with special gifts. We work in four apostolates: evangelization, education, nursing and social work. We are present in Italy, Germany and India. Our headquarters are in Ranchi, in the state of Jharkhand, India. This state, located in eastern India, is known for its unique tribal communities, each with its own culture, traditions and way of life. Specifically, the state is home to several important tribes, including the Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Kharia and Ho, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Indian heritage," Alice tells us.
The tribal cultures of Jharkhand are deeply rooted in connection with nature, and this is evident in their traditional practices, which are an integral part of Indian cultural expressions. Festivals of various kinds play a crucial role in tribal life, as occasions for community gathering and or religious observance.
Sister Alice Topno reviews the story: "In 1885, Fr. Constant Lievens, S.J., the great apostle of Chotanagpur, landed in Ranchi as a zealous missionary. The arrival of this Belgian Jesuit marks the beginning of the great expansion of the Church among the tribes of the Chotanagpur plateau. Christians are a minority in India and also in Jharkhand. They live together and share their common life with others; the beauty of this unity in diversity is well practiced."
The lifestyle of the tribal communities of Jharkhand revolves around agriculture, forestry and traditional handicrafts. The tribals practice shifting agriculture, where they rotate their agricultural plots to maintain soil fertility. The use of traditional farming techniques and reliance on local resources underscores their sustainable approach to life.
In addition to agriculture, handicrafts are an important part of the tribal economy. These artistic expressions not only serve as a means of livelihood, but also transmit their cultural identity from generation to generation. The tribal communities of Jharkhand follow a close-knit social structure, with strong ties within the community. The village council, known as "Panchayat"plays a key role in dispute resolution and community decision making.
Tribal communities have a collective responsibility to each other, which fosters a sense of unity and mutual support. In addition, Jharkhand possesses more than 40 % of India's mineral resources, but 39.1 % of its population is below the poverty line and 19.6 % of children under five are malnourished. Jharkhand is mainly rural, and about 24 % of the population lives in cities.
"We are facing challenges such as displacement due to industrialization and deforestation, poverty, migration to large cities, and the need to reduce the number of people living in poverty.and so on. Efforts are being made to balance development with the preservation of indigenous cultures, ensuring that the unique traditions and lifestyles of our tribes endure," says Alice.
Its rich cultural heritage, vibrant festivals, sustainable lifestyle and artistic expressions contribute significantly to the diverse mosaic of the Indian cultural landscape. Efforts to preserve and celebrate these traditions are critical to maintaining the unique identity of our tribal communities.
His congregation works among tribal communities and has felt the need to realize its vision and work of evangelization in the age of new media.
It is precisely for this reason that she is in Rome studying Institutional Communication, because the Congregation decided to grow the apostolate of evangelization, seeing the need of the society and the Church in India. It is the first time that such an initiative has been taken to grow in this field and she is the first one who is doing these studies.
She is convinced that the formation received in Rome will help her to work very well and effectively within the Institute and also outside, especially for the local Church, in the field of evangelization among the tribal population and especially with the youth.
Alice concludes with a smile: "I sincerely thank the benefactors for all their help: they are always in my prayers."
Gerardo Ferrara
BA in History and Political Science, specializing in the Middle East.
Head of the student body at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome.
