Keralite Family Makes Definitive Commitment to Lay Catholic Community in Mysuru

Mysuru, July 15, 2025 – Mrs. Anu and Mr. Abhilash Ainikkal, along with their children, made their Definitive Commitment to the Santvana Community of Disciples during a solemn Eucharistic celebration held on July 12 at the Infant Jesus Shrine, Pushpashrama, in Mysuru. The ceremony was presided over by Rev. Fr. Denny George, Shepherd of the Santvana Community, which is an ecclesial movement founded by Rev. Fr. Dheeraj Sabu IMS in 1989. The event marked a significant spiritual milestone for the Ainikkal family, who have been actively involved in the community since 2021.

Fr. Devasia SDB and Fr. Sajeev Thattil CMI concelebrated the Holy Mass alongside Fr. Denny. During the celebration, Mrs. Jini Lobo, Servant Leader of the Community, officially received the Ainikkal family’s commitment to the Santvana Community. Mrs. Shiney Alexy Pallan, the Assistant Servant Leader, welcomed all the attendees and delivered a brief introduction about the Community.

Originally from Trichur, Kerala, the Ainikkal family joined the Santvana Community four years ago and has since played an active role in its Mysuru unit, notably through their involvement in the ministries Santvana Swada (feeding the hungry) and Stand in the Gap (intercessory prayer for missions and the needy). They made their Initial Commitment to the community on February 2, 2022, and after completing the Initiation and Incorporation stages, they qualified for full membership through their Definitive Commitment.

The ceremony witnessed the participation of around 100 faithful, including more than 40 relatives and friends of the Ainikkal family who travelled from Kerala to attend the event. At the conclusion of the celebration, Mr. Abhilash delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks to the congregation.

The Santvana Community of Disciples is one of the three collaborative units under the Santvana Missionary Movement. In 2003, the community received canonical approval as an Association of the Faithful in the Archdiocese of Delhi.

The Santvana Missionary Movement also includes the Santvana Missionary Brothers and Santvana Missionary Sisters, established in 2021 as Public Pious Associations by Archbishop Anil Couto, patron of the movement. Members of the Santvana Missionary Movement live and work together as one community, recognising each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, each with the same call to holiness. The movement has units in several dioceses across India, including Delhi, Meerut, Gwalior, Mysuru, Kottappuram, and Kollam.

By Alexy Pallan

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