Vicente Ferrer

Biography

As a young man, he joined the Society of Jesus in the hopes of fulfilling his greatest desire and vocation: helping others. In 1952, he left for Mumbai as a Jesuit missionary to complete his spiritual training, and came face to face with India for the first time. From then on, he devoted his life to ending the suffering of the country’spoorest.  

Research Interest

His helpful nature and commitment to work for others selflessly raised suspicion among certain people. They viewed him as a threat to their interests and secured an order to deport him from the country. As a result, over 30,000 farmers, backed by intellectuals and India’s political and religious elite, organised a 250 km march from Manmad to Mumbai in protest of the deportation order. In an interview with Vicente Ferrer, Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, recognised his work and pledged to find a solution. As a guarantee, she sent a telegram: “Father Vicente Ferrer will go abroad for a short holiday and will be welcome again in India.”