Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Delegates of the XX General Assembly of the Society of Catholic Apostolate (SAC) for the first time elected an Indian priest as successor of the founder, St. Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850): Fr. Jacob Nampudakam is the new Rector General, elected on October 4. The XX General Assembly of the SAC was opened September 20 at the House of the Divine Master in Ariccia (Rome) and will end on October 15. The motto of the Assembly is "As the Father has sent me, so I send you" (Jn 20:21) and the main theme is “Reviving faith and rekindling love: Apostles of Jesus in a changing world.”
Rev. Fr. Jacob Nampudakam was born on 10 August, 1955 in Ayyampara, Kerala, India. He was ordained priest in 1981, after his theological studies in St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur. After his priestly ordination, Fr. Jacob has worked as spiritual director, novice master, director of the Pallottine Animation Center, General Secretary of the Society and General Consultor. During the last 12 years, he was also the General Secretary for Formation of the Society. Rev. Fr. Jacob Nampudakam holds Master's Degree in Philosophy and Spirituality as well as a Licentiate in Psychology from the Institute of Psychology, Gregorian University, Rome.
The history of the Pallottines in India began in 1951, with the missionaries of the German Province of the 'Heart of Jesus' of Friedberg. Only in 1989 was the SAC Province of India erected, later turned into three entities in 2001, with centers in Nagpur, Bangalore, and Raipur.
The Society of Catholic Apostolate was founded as a community of priests and brothers in 1835 in Rome, by St. Vincent Pallotti. There are now more than 2,300 members, in over 300 communities, spread over 40 countries on all continents, involved in the management of formation centers, parishes, formation for young people, in the press, in the missions, etc. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 07/10/2010)
