About the Claretian Missionaries
A global missionary brotherhood rooted in Christ and sent into the diverse ethnic, cultural, and spiritual horizons of Northeast India.
Our Identity
We are a religious congregation of priests and brothers within the Catholic Church, consecrated by vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Our identity is rooted in the maternal forge of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, from whom we learn to listen to the Word and share it with burning apostolic courage.
In Northeast India, our identity comes alive among indigenous tribes, hill communities, and rural villages. We are called to be bridge-builders of reconciliation, educators of young minds, and compassionate ministers of the sacraments.
The Claretian Definition
"A Son of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a man on fire with love, who spreads its flames wherever he goes, and who desires mightily and strives by all means to set everyone on fire with God's love."
Our History in Northeast India
Four decades of transformative missionary presence: planting seeds of the Gospel, empowering youth through higher education, and cultivating peace across the hills and valleys of Northeast India.
Arrival of Pioneers in Northeast India
The first Claretian missionaries arrived in the Northeast region responding to urgent pastoral invitations in Assam and Meghalaya.
Foundation of Claret Villa, Mawlai (Provincial House)
The pioneering community was established at Kynton Massar, Mawlai, Shillong, serving as the cradle of the mission and the official seat of the Provincial House and Curia.
Establishment of Claret Bhavan, Borjhar
Major apostolic and educational hub established in Borjhar, Guwahati, alongside St. Claret School and the Navjan Trust social service wing.
Pioneering Schools & Formation Center
St. Claret School Borjhar and the Claretian Minor Seminary at Barpeta Road opened to accompany local youth in education and discernment.
Saint Claret College, Ziro (Arunachal Pradesh)
Founded in the picturesque Lower Subansiri valley, SCC Ziro emerged as a premier higher education institution pioneering tribal empowerment.
Autonomous Province & Mission Expansion
Erection of the independent Province of Northeast India (PNEI) and expansion into Garo Hills (Ampati, Mendipathar) and frontier tribal districts.
Social Service (Navjan Trust) & 8-State Witness
Consolidation of Navjan – A People Empowerment Trust headquartered in Borjhar, Guwahati, alongside dynamic pastoral accompaniment across Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, and West Bengal.
The Province Today
Headquartered in Borjhar, Guwahati, the Province of Northeast India now ministers to 25 canonical houses and mission residences across 8 northeastern states.
Our Founder: Saint Anthony Mary Claret
Weaver, missionary preacher, archbishop, reformer, patron of publishers, and spiritual mystic whose life was consumed with zeal for the Kingdom of God.
Weaver to Fisher of Men
Born in Sallent, Catalonia, Spain. In his youth he excelled in mechanical textile manufacturing, but heard Christ’s call: "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" Ordained priest in 1835.
Missionary of Catalonia & Canary Islands
Walking tirelessly from village to village barefoot with a Bible in his hand. He preached the Gospel with ardent zeal, renewing the spiritual life of thousands. On July 16, 1849, he founded the Congregation in Vic.
Missionary Archbishop of Cuba
Appointed Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba. He reformed the clergy, defended the rights of enslaved workers, visited every remote parish, and established agricultural credit unions (cajas de ahorros) to liberate peasants from usury.
Royal Confessor & Prolific Author
Recalled to Madrid as confessor to Queen Isabella II. He founded the Religious Publishing House (Librería Religiosa), publishing and distributing over 140 books and leaflets to bring spiritual wisdom to the common people.
Vatican Council I & Holy Death
Exiled during the Spanish Revolution, he participated courageously in the First Vatican Council in Rome. He died peacefully in exile at the Cistercian Abbey of Fontfroide on October 24, 1870. Canonized by Pope Pius XII on May 7, 1950.
Feast Day: October 24
Pope Pius XII canonized Anthony Mary Claret on May 7, 1950, proclaiming him a model for modern educators, missioners, and communicators.
The Congregation & its History
From a humble room in Vic, Spain, to a global fraternity of over 3,000 missionaries serving in more than 70 nations across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Foundation on July 16
On July 16, 1849, in a small cell of the seminary of Vic, Fr. Anthony Mary Claret gathered five young diocesan priests: Stephen Sala, Joseph Xifré, Dominic Fábregas, James Peñarroya, and Peter Bach.
With no financial resources, relying only on God's providence, they consecrated their lives to missionary preaching under the patronage of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The Martyrs of Barbastro
During the Spanish Civil War in August 1936, 51 Claretian missionaries—professors, brothers, and young student seminarians—were imprisoned and executed for their faith.
Refusing to renounce Christ, they spent their final hours singing hymns and forgiving their executioners. Pope St. John Paul II beatified them in 1992 as the Seminary of the Martyrs.
Serving in 70+ Nations
The Claretian Missionaries currently serve in more than 70 nations across 5 continents: Africa, the Americas, Asia-Oceania, and Europe.
Our apostolates include biblical translations, university degree colleges, UN NGO representation, indigenous hill missions, parish renewal, and emergency humanitarian relief.
General Government: Curia Generalizia Roma
The General Government animates, unifies, and coordinates the worldwide congregation from the General Curia in Rome, Italy, in faithful adherence to our Constitutions and General Chapters.
Curia Generalizia Missionari Clarettiani
Via Sacro Cuore di Maria, 5, 00197 Roma, Italy
Very Rev. Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, CMF
13th Successor of St. Anthony Mary Claret, re-elected by the 26th General Chapter in Rome to guide the global missionary family.
Rev. Fr. Henry Omonisaye, CMF
Assisting the Superior General and coordinating worldwide apostolic missions, parishes, colleges, and social initiatives.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Mbungu Mutu, CMF
Overseeing initial and ongoing formation programs for seminarians, novices, and young missionaries across all continents.
Rev. Fr. Carlos Enrique Sánchez Miranda, CMF
Nurturing the Cordimarian spiritual heritage, Claretian heritage centers, and community fraternal life globally.
Rev. Bro. Carlos Verga, CMF
Managing temporal goods with transparency, solidary stewardship, and dedication to the Congregation’s missionary commitments.
Rev. Fr. Manuel Alfredo Cruz, CMF
Coordinating documentation, communications, and official liaison between the General Curia and worldwide jurisdictions.
Provincial Government & Council (PNEI)
The Provincial Council of the Province of Northeast India guides fraternal life, pastoral planning, formation accompaniment, and administration across all mission communities in the region.
Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Mappilaparampil, CMF
"Our mission in Northeast India is to radiate the compassionate presence of Christ amidst the diverse tapestry of tribes, languages, and cultures. Rooted in Christ and audacious in mission, we walk together as brothers with the people, witnessing to the transformative hope of the Gospel."
Provincial Consultors & Prefects
Fr. Jaison Perumpalliolickal, CMF
Fr. Joseph Pulickal (Joy), CMF
Fr. Arnest A. Kharmawlong, CMF
Fr. Naveen Walter, CMF
Councils & Prefectures
The provincial prefectures, commissions, and designated core teams of the Province of Northeast India coordinate pastoral initiatives, missionary animation, formation pathways, and communications.
Prefecture of Apostolate
Animating pastoral ministries, missionary publications, communications, and social empowerment across Northeast India.
Core Team Members
Commission for Bible and Publications
- 1Thurackal JohnsonHead
- 2Tado Melansius
- 3Chinnabathini Jojaiah
- 4Sangma Gabriel
Commission for Social Ministries
- 1Munnelli JanardhanHead
- 2Onelil Joseph
- 3Lakra Bipin Kishore
- 4Biam Roibok
Commission for Communication & Media
- 1Tharappel DencyHead
- 2Kadamthode Sibi Mathew
- 3Maiong Raphael
- 4Toppo Hemant
Mission Procura
- 1Xavier LawrenceHead
- 2Onelil Joseph
- 3Dkhar Ricky
Prefecture of Formation
Accompaniment of vocations, minor seminaries, philosophy, novitiate, and theological studies across Northeast India.
Core Team Members
Accompaniment of young men discerning religious and missionary priesthood in Northeast India.
Human, spiritual, academic, and community grounding at St. Claret Minor Seminary, Borjhar.
Philosophical studies followed by the canonical novitiate year consecrated to Cordimarian spirituality.
Theological, pastoral synthesis, and ongoing Claretian missionary formation towards ordination and lifelong ministry.
Prefecture of Youth, Vocations & Education
Guiding youth animation through Claret Way Global, fostering vocation discernment, and animating educational institutions.
Core Team Members
Commission for Youth
- 1Mawa James AnthonyHead
- 2Lakra Bipin Kishore
- 3Baraik George
- 4Medarshang Jonah
Commission for Vocation Promotion
- 1Maiong RaphaelHead
- 2Francis Thomas
- 3Munnelli Janardhan
- 4Domai James D.
- 5Dkhar Ricky
- 6Panna Nobin
- 7Sangma Gabriel
- 8Toppo Hemant
Commission for Education
- 1Kadamthode Sibi KuriakoseHead
- 2Pandeeti Kiran Kumar
- 3Kochupurackal John
- 4Hahshah Kerophin
Prefecture of Spirituality and Community Life
Claretian and Marian Spirituality, community fraternal life, retreats, and spiritual animation across the province.
Core Team Members
Prefecture of Economy (and Construction)
Administration of temporal goods, financial stewardship, province budgets, and infrastructure planning.
Core Team Members
In Charge of SOMI
Mission Procure, Claretians @ UN & JPIC Secretariat
Animating solidarity initiatives, development aid projects, human rights advocacy through Claretians at the UN, and peace & justice ministries (JPIC).
In-Charge Animators
- 1Xavier LawrenceIn-Charge
- 2Onelil JosephIn-Charge
Lay Claretian Movement
Coordination of Lay Associations & Collaborative Mission
Fostering communion and mission co-responsibility with the Lay Claretians and Cordimarian lay groups sharing in the charism of St. Anthony Mary Claret.
In-Charge Animators
- 1Pulickal Joseph (Head)Head
- 2Perumpalliolickal JaisonMember
Permanent Board Members
Consultative permanent board providing strategic direction, institutional discernment, and apostolic continuity for the Province.
Permanent Board Members
Discover Your Missionary Calling
Learn more about Claretian life, discernment, and formation in Northeast India.