The Jesuit Community at Loyola Mandir, Bengaluru, serves as the Provincial Curia and administrative centre of the Karnataka Jesuit Province. Situated in the heart of the city, the community provides leadership, coordination, and support for the diverse apostolic ministries of the Province across Karnataka and beyond. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, the Jesuits at Loyola Mandir promote collaborative leadership, discernment, mission planning, and accompaniment of Jesuit communities and mission partners. As the hub of provincial governance, Loyola Mandir seeks to strengthen the Province's commitment to faith, justice, reconciliation, and service in response to the needs of the Church and society.

History

Ever since the Calicut Jesuit Mission was raised to the status of a (vice) province of Karnataka in 1955, its headquarters (Curia) has seen many locations (Calicut, FRH, SAC, MSJ) till it finally settled down at 23 (later 96) Lavelle Road. Fr J.C. Pereira who started his term from MSJ, in 1966, finding it too far from the city for the Jesuits to approach the Provincial, after a year's trial, decided to move here.

At 23 Lavelle Rd, adjoining the New Fields, there was an old bungalow in the Munkor Plot, belonging to a Muslim, for sale. Fr James Coelho as Rector of the undivided St Joseph's community, bought it up in 1962 for Rs 3 lakhs, as it was contiguous to the playground of EHS (the erstwhile European High School, now the Boys' High School). Three Jesuits - Frs Henry Volken and Jim Berna of ISI, and architect Fr Joseph Stevens - were staying there for about 5 years, paying a rent to the EHS. The house was called Loyola Cottage then.

When it was decided to move the Province HQ there, its occupants moved out, the former two to Benson Town and the last to stay at St Martha's till his own cottage came up at Olgowil in da Costa Layout. The practice of paying the rent for LM continued even when there was a change of occupants, till the time when Fr Maxim became the Rector of IHS, when it was waived.

On 22 August 1967 Frs J.C. Pereira (Provincial), J.B. de Souza (Socius) and Br Martin Goveas (Office Manager) moved in; Fr Denis Pinto (Treasurer), who was operating from Kotagiri, joined them a little later. 23 (later 96) Lavelle Road was rechristened as Loyola Mandir.

In the fifty years that followed, Loyola Mandir served as the home and workplace of Provincials, Socii, Treasurers, Office Managers, and other Province leaders who coordinated the growing mission of the Karnataka Jesuit Province.

The Hall at the original entrance, near the banana grove, has the logo of the Society of Jesus, IHS, on the front wall and can still be seen today.

The top hall was converted into a chapel that was open to neighbouring Catholics. Later, when the St. Joseph's community moved to Lavelle Road, Loyola Mandir closed its kitchen and joined the school community for meals. Over time, various modifications were made to the building, including the conversion of halls into meeting spaces, libraries, archives, and community facilities.

Fr Anand had planned for a new building for the Province Headquarters. The plan was executed during the Provincialship of Fr Terence Farias, and a new three-floor structure replaced the front garden of the old building. The new building included a meeting hall, a Province library specializing in Ignatian and Jesuit literature, and dedicated archival facilities. The building was blessed on 25 March 1994.

With support from Missionsprokur, Germany, the Senior Jesuits' Home, Pratiksha, was later constructed adjacent to Loyola Mandir. Over the years, additional facilities were added, including meeting halls, connecting structures, guest accommodation, and improved community spaces to support the growing needs of the Province.

Loyola Mandir completed fifty years as the headquarters of the Karnataka Jesuit Province on 22 August 2017. The Golden Jubilee was celebrated on 10 December 2017 in the presence of Jesuits from across the Province. During the celebration, Provincials, Socii, Treasurers, Office Managers, and other collaborators who contributed to the growth of Loyola Mandir were gratefully remembered.

Though very little remains of the original Loyola Mandir building, its spirit continues. With expanded facilities, dedicated collaborators, and a renewed commitment to mission, Loyola Mandir remains the nerve centre and heart of the Karnataka Jesuit Province, coordinating, guiding, and supporting the diverse apostolic works of the Province.

Fr Richard Sequeira SJ
December 2017