A Short History

Heralds of Good News is an indigenous Missionary Society, that started in India in 1984; it became an Institute of Pontifical Rights on May 5, 1999. The specific aim of the society is the promotion of vocations to the priesthood, the training of seminarians, and the supply of zealous and hardworking missionaries to the dioceses in India and abroad which experience a shortage of priests due to the lack of local vocations. Right from its inception, the society was sending missionaries to different countries

Very Rev. Fr. M. Ignatius
Superior General

Heralds of Good News Missionary Society was founded by Rev. Dr. Jose Kaimlett in 1984 with the approval and blessings of (Late) Rt. Rev. Dr. John Mulagada, Bishop of Eluru. It was in June 1984 that Fr. Jose Kaimlett resigned his charge as the headmaster of St. Ambrose School, Nidadavole, and took up the construction of Fr. Jose Memorial Hospital at Vellachinthalagudem. It was during this time that Bishop John gave him the go-ahead to found the Society and allowed him to contact like-minded priests. Fr. Jose Kaimlett thus shared his ideas with some of his friends who evinced interest in the idea. As a preliminary step, he called for a meeting of those priests who showed interest in this matter. This meeting took place at the parish house at Bhimavaram. Those who participated in the meeting were Fr. Jose Kaimlett, Fr. Thomas Alencherry, Fr. Augustine M. PIME, Fr. Peter Puthenkandam CMF, and Fr. Mathew Kallikatt. During the discussions, some expressed the view that it should be a religious order which has specific Indian characteristics. Finally, it was decided that the new foundation would be a missionary society. Of the participants at the meeting, Fr. Thomas Alenchery and Fr. Mathew Kallikatt expressed their willingness to join this new venture. Fr. Jose Kaimlett presented a working paper that became eventually the core of the constitution. Fr. Mathew Kallikatt was entrusted with the work of incorporating the suggestions at the meeting and comparing the draft with the constitutions of other missionary societies. When the three of them met together at Denduluru on the occasion of St. Mathew’s Feast, Fr. Mathew Kallikatt had completed this work. The draft document underwent further revisions and additions at the hands of Fr. Jose Kaimlett. This draft constitution was submitted by Fr. Jose Kaimlett to Bishop John for his approval. Bishop John gave his seal of approval to the constitution on 14th October 1984. On 2 December 1984, after Diocesan Retreat, Bishop John presented the matter to the Diocesan Consultors for their deliberation and received their positive nod. As a visible sign of the new Society, the foundation for the Minor Seminary at Kurukkuru was laid by Bishop John, in the presence of many priests and sisters of the dioceses of Vijayawada and Eluru on 12th December 1984. In the meantime Fr. K.V. Augustine, Bros. Jose Ounnukallel & Thomas Karachira expressed their wish to join the Society, by which time the Society had taken the name Heralds of Good News. Before the final commitment to the Society, the prospective members were guided by (Late) Rev. Fr. Peter Canisius O.F.M. Cap during the retreat they had at the Nirmalagiri shrine. In the morning of 2nd Feb 1985, on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Frs. Jose Kaimlett, Thomas Alenchery, K.V. Augustine, Mathew Kallikatt & Bros. Thomas Karachira and Jose Ounnukallel made their final commitment to the Society in the presence of Bishop John in his private chapel. The event was witnessed by Rev. Fr. V. Abraham, Fr. Peter Canisius OFM Cap, and Fr. Peter Puthenkandam CMF. Immediately after the Holy Mass, the members assembled in the Bishop’s office and elected Fr. Jose Kaimlett, the founder, as the first Director-General

Start

December 12, 1984

The foundation for the Minor Seminary at Kurukkuru was laid by Bishop John

February 2, 1985

Rev. Fr. Jose Kaimlett, elected the first Director General in the election conducted in Bishop's office

February 13, 1988

The foundation stone for Heralds College, Janampet, blessed by His Grace Most Rev. Augustino Cacciavillan, Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to India

June 12, 1989

St. Josephs School at Yernagudem starts functioning

September 9, 1990

The Society takes up the parish of Vanasthalipuram in the Archdiocese of Hyderabad

January 1991

The first missionary to the USA, to the diocese of Lake Charles, USA

July 7, 1991

The starting of Wagamon mission in Vijayapuram diocese , Kerala

June 27, 1992

Inauguration of Heralds Minor Seminary, Pinakadimi

August 11, 1992

Foundation stone laid for Heralds College, Poonamallee by Rev. Fr. Jose Kaimlett

June 6, 1993

Heralds College at Poonamallee, Madras blessed and inaugurated

January 25, 1994

The second General Assembly begins at Heralds College, Janampet. Fr. Jose Kaimlett resigns as the Director General. Fr. Chacko Puthumayil is elected as Director General and Fr. Mathew Kallikatt as Assistant Director General and procurator, Frs. P. Thomas, Cherian Pullambrayil and Rev. Mathew Panackal the Councilors. Fr. Jose Kaimlett was given the title Superior General

June 2, 1994

Inauguration of Dhammampet mission in the diocese of Khammam

June 12, 1994

Blessing and inauguration of the seminary at Melavalady, Trichy by Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Remigius, Bishop of Kumbakonam

February 2, 1995

Decennium of the Society Celebrated. The Generalate at Eluru is blessed and inaugurated

June 1995

The first batch of the students admitted to the St. Joseph's Major Seminary, Khammam

September 6, 1996

Blessing and Inauguration of St. Joseph's Major Seminary, Khammam and laying of Foundation for the theology block

January 13,1997

General Assembly celebrated

August 1997

Opening of St. Andrews School at Thozhuthoor, Kumbakonam diocese

November 1998

Rev. Fr. Chacko Puthumayil, the Director General resigns

May 5, 1999

The Heralds of Good News is raised to the Pontifical Status,

February 24, 2000

Blessing and inauguration of the St. John's Major Seminary, Kurnool

September 2000

Blessing and inauguration of Good News School, Tadepally

February 2001

The first missionary to Kenya

January 2002

The first missionaries to Guatemala

December 28, 2002

The blessing and inauguration of the extension blocks of St. John's Major Seminary, Kurnool

23, 2003

Founder starts the Missionaries of Compassion

December 28, 2003

The extraordinary General Assembly convoked

April 26 - 30, 2004

The extraordinary General Assembly. The Constitution is amended with the provision for the members to opt for the province of their choice. The Assembly decided to erect 3 provinces (South West, South East and North)

July 2005

First Missionaries to Canada

July 2006

Blessing & Inauguration of Good News Retreat Centre, Pampady, Kerala

November 26, 2006

The Pontifical Commiserate begins

August 22, 2008

Agrement with Missionaries of Compassion for the sharing of Property

October 8, 2008

Inauguration of St. Paul Province

January 19 - 24, 2009

The General Assembly celebrated and the new General Administration is elected. Rev. Fr. A. Francis - Superior General, Rev. Fr. Adackamundackal Joseph (Shaji) - Assistant Superior General, Rev. Frs. Poovannikumthottiyil Joseph (Saji Sebastian), A. Charles Savarimuthu, Adattu Nixon - Councillors, Rev. Fr. Dung Dung Nirdosh - Procurator General, Rev. Fr. Pachigolla Christuraju - Secretary General

August 15, 2009

The Holy See approves the amended constitutions

January 31, 2011

General Forum

Sept 8, 2011

The Provincial Assembly Celebrated and the New Provincial Administration is elected. Rev. Fr. Gorantla Charles & The First Provincial Superior, Rev. Fr. Pavithran Male & The Vice-Provincial, Rev. Fr. Naripogu Gnana Prakash, Rev. Fr. Kadari Manikyam, Rev. Fr. Jangam Joseph, - Councillors, Rev. Fr. Pasala John Paul - Province Procurator, Rev. Fr. Gudimalla Raju & Province Secretory

January 21-24, 2015

The General Assembly celebrated and the new General Administration is elected. Rev. Fr. M. Ignatius - Superior General, Rev. Fr. Kulathinapadickal Philip - Assistant Superior General, Rev. Frs. Kappumkal Thomas (Roy), R. Innasimuthu, Jangam Joseph - Councillors, Rev. Fr. Pamblaniyil Saji - Procurator General, Rev. Fr. X. Sengol Baxil - Secretary General

October 14, 1984

The approval of the draft constitution by Rt. Rev. Dr. John Mulagada, Bishop of Eluru

February 2, 1985

The pioneer members Frs. Jose Kaimlett, Thomas, Alenchery, Mathew Kallikatt, K.V. Augustine & Bros. Thomas Karachira and Jose Oonnukallel made their final commitment to Society in the presence of Bishop John in his private chapel

June 25, 1985

The Heralds of Good News Minor Seminary, blessed and inaugurated. The course starts with 28 students and Fr. Thomas Alanchery as its First Rector

July 2, 1988

St. Mary's English Medium School, Prathipadau, T.P. Gudem opened

January 4, 1990

Heralds College, Janampet, the study house for the major seminarians opened and blessed by Rt. Rev. Dr. John Mulagada, Bishop of Eluru

December 26, 1990

The First General Assembly of the Society. Fr. Jose Kaimlett re-elected Director General and Fr. Mathew Kallikatt the Assistant Director General, Frs. Thomas Alancherry and P. Thomas elected Councillors and Fr. Thomas Karachira the procurator

May 5, 1991

The Heralds of Good News erected as a Missionary Society of Apostolic life of the diocesan Right

December 27, 1991

Good News Press blessed and opened by Bishop M. John

August 5, 1992

The Society extends its service to the diocese of Khammam with the opening of Enkoor Mission

May 15, 1993

Aswaraopet mission in the diocese of Khammam opened

December 29, 1993

December 29, 1993

March 18, 1994

The foundation for the Generalate at Thangellamudi laid by Bishop M. John

June 10, 1994

Foundation for the Heralds Philosophate at Khammam blessed and laid by Rt. Rev. Dr. Marampudi Joji, Bishop of Khammam

November 2, 1994

The South Indian Province, the first Province of Heralds of Good News inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Dr. John, Bishop of Eluru at Heralds College, Janampet, Fr. P. Thomas elected Provincial and Fr. Jose Plathottam as the Assistant, Frs. Jose Ounnukallel and George Thellikalayil the councillors and Mathew Panackal the Procurator

June 1995

The first missionaries to the Archdiocese of Cape Town, South Africa

August 1995

The first missionary to Papua New Guinea, to the diocese of Vanimo

October 1996

The mission at Gurzala, Guntur diocese is taken up.

February 1997

Opening of the Dharmavaram Mission in Kurnool Diocese. The first missionaries to North East, to the dioceses of Gauhati and Bongaigaon

April 1998

The inauguration of the Good Retreat centre, Kudakkachira, Taking up of parish in the diocese of Rieti, Italy

January 12 - 14, 1999

The General Assembly celebrated - Fr. Mathew Kallikatt elected Director General, Fr. Philip Kulathinapadickal - Assistant Director General, Fr. Mathew Vengaloor - Councillor, Fr. Xavier Thekkumkattil - Councillor, Fr. Thomas Alanchery - Councillor, Fr. Babu Kulathumkal - Procurator General

August 1999

The First missionary to Tanzania

May 5, 2000

Inauguration of the house at Rocca di Papa, Italy

October 25, 2000

The Provincial Assembly convoked. - Rev. Fr. Joy Oravanamthadathil elected The Provincial, Fr. Shaju Chempottickal - Assistant Provincial, Fr. Francis Suresh Kumar - Councillor, Fr. Joseph Thundathil - Councillor, Fr. Antony Palackal - Councillor, Fr. Tomy Ambatt - Councillor & Procurator

September 2001

Opening of the study house at Varazze, Italy

September 25, 2002

The blessing and inauguration of the seminary at Ifakkara, Tanzania

February 2003

The first missionaries to Uganda

October 16, 2003

The blessing and inauguration of the retreat centre at Nanguneri, Tamil Nadu

December 29, 2003

The blessing and inauguration of the extension blocks of St.John's Seminary, Nidadavole

July 31, 2004

The Holy See approves the amended Constitutions

November 18, 2005

The blessing and Inauguration of the extension block of Khammam Seminary

October 2006

First Missionaries to Holland

August 2008

The erection of the three provinces and the election of the Provincial Administrations: St. Paul's Province (12th - 14th August), Queen of Apostles Province ( 16th - 19th August), Mother Theresa Province (20th - 23rd August)

October 1, 2008

Inauguration of Mother Theresa Province

October 11, 2008

Inauguration of Queen of Apostles Province

May 19, 2009

Pontifical Commiserate comes to an end

October 14, 2009

The Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Foundation of HGN at the Mother House at Kurukkuru

May 5, 2011

Bifurcation of Mother Theresa Province and Erection of New Province ( St. John Paul - II Province)

Sept 8, 2014

Second time Provincial Assembly was held and New Provincial Administration is elected. Rev. Fr. Gorantla Charles was re-elected as The Provincial Superior and Rev. Fr. Pavithran Male as the Vice-Provincial. Rev. Fr. Amarlapuddi Lourdhu Vijayaraju, Rev. Fr. Jangam Joseph, Rev. Fr. Manda Sudhakar as councillors, Rev. Fr. Dakkamadugula Joseph Thambi- Province Procurator and Rev. Fr. Bhattu Daniyelu-Province Secretary