Bengaluru, November 3, 2026: Fr Brian Bonaventure Pereira, SJ, who was the rector of St Aloysius Institutions in Mangaluru since May 2026 officially assumed office as the Provincial Superior of the Karnataka Jesuit Province on Tuesday, November 3, succeeding Fr Dionysius Vaz, SJ, at a solemn ceremony held at the Chapel of Inigo Sadan, Bangalore. The occasion marked the beginning of a new chapter in the leadership of the province, which comprises 317 Jesuits engaged in diverse apostolates across 135 units and ministries.
The transition of leadership was marked by prayers, gratitude and a renewed commitment to the mission of the Society of Jesus at a solemn Eucharistic celebration in the presence of several Jesuits. As Fr Brian took over the responsibility of guiding the province, the occasion also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the dedicated leadership and service of Fr Dionysius Vaz, who completed six years as Provincial.
A Legacy of Six Years: Gratitude and Hope
Reflecting on his six-year tenure, Fr Dionysius Vaz expressed profound gratitude to the Jesuits of the Province for their companionship, cooperation, co-discernment and generous support throughout his term. He recalled the difficult times of COVID 19 during which he took over the reigns as the provincial of Karnataka Jesuits and acknowledged God’s grace guiding him and the province in his time of serving the province.
In his final Provincial's Musings published in Karunada Saurabha, the Karnataka Jesuit Province newsletter, Fr Dionysius described the six years as a "precious journey of grace". He acknowledged that the responsibility of governance could never have been carried alone and credited the collective commitment of the Jesuits, the Provincial administration, superiors, Directors of Works and commission coordinators for making his ministry meaningful and fruitful.
He also expressed special gratitude for the prayers, affection and fraternal support he received during his recent illness, describing the experience as a profound reminder of what it means to be brothers in the Lord.
Reflecting on the challenges confronting the province and society, Fr Dionysius highlighted the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on education, work and relationships, the need to uphold justice and democratic participation, the challenges posed by drought in North Karnataka, and the continuing struggle against corruption. He called upon the Jesuits to remain courageous, united and creative in advancing their mission amid these changing realities.
He expressed particular hope and gratitude for the five ordinations during the year, seeing them as a sign of God's continuing call to labourers in His vineyard.
Welcoming his successor, Fr Dionysius had earlier expressed his warm congratulations and confidence in Fr Brian, assuring him of his prayers. Referring to his extensive experience in vocation promotion, youth formation, community leadership, institutional administration and accompaniment, he observed that Fr Brian was well prepared to undertake this important responsibility.
In a heartfelt message to his successor, Fr Dionysius wrote: "Brian, the Province is yours to lead, but never yours to carry alone." He urged the Jesuits to extend the same generosity and companionship to the new Provincial that they had offered him during his tenure.
He concluded his reflections by entrusting Fr Brian, the Province and its mission to the maternal care of Mary, expressing his gratitude to all his fellow Jesuits and seeking their continued prayers.
Fr Brian: A Leadership Rooted in Humility and Service
Assuming the responsibility of Provincial Superior, Fr Brian Pereira expressed a deep sense of humility and gratitude for the trust placed in him by the Society of Jesus. Acknowledging the magnitude of the responsibility, he described his immediate feelings as a blend of anxiety and excitement, accompanied by a positive outlook and a deep sense of hope.
"I feel deeply humbled for the trust placed in me by the Society of Jesus to lead the Karnataka Jesuit Province, with its 317 Jesuits engaged in diverse apostolates, including education, social, pastoral, spiritual and formation ministries," he said.
Emphasising that the responsibility goes beyond leading an organisation or an administrative structure, Fr Brian described it as a call to serve God's mission.
"I am conscious that this is not merely the leadership of an organisation or a Province, but a call to serve God's mission. I place my trust in God and look forward to walking this journey with my fellow Jesuits, with our collaborators, and with all those whom we have committed to serve," he added.
A Vision to Discern and Build Together
While acknowledging that it is too early to articulate a definitive vision for the Province, Fr Brian believes that its future direction must emerge through a collective process of listening, reflection, discernment and dialogue.
He emphasised that the province must move forward not merely as 317 individual Jesuits engaged in different ministries, but as one apostolic body, united by a shared mission and animated by the Ignatian spirit.
Sharing his initial thoughts and priorities, he outlined several areas that could shape the province’s journey in the coming years.
1. Strengthening Existing Apostolates
Fr Brian stressed the importance of consolidating and building upon the good work already being undertaken across the province’s various apostolates. Drawing inspiration from St Paul's words, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth," he reminded the Jesuits that their work is ultimately part of Missio Dei — God's mission. Their responsibility is to sow and nurture with dedication while trusting in God for growth.
2. Reading the Signs of the Times and Renewing the Mission
He called for a continuous reading of the signs of the times and a willingness to renew and reimagine Jesuit ministries in response to emerging realities. Particular emphasis would be placed on advancing the four Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs) of the Society of Jesus: showing the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and discernment; walking with the excluded; accompanying young people towards a hope-filled future; and collaborating in the care of our Common Home.
3. Exploring New Frontiers of Mission
Describing the Karnataka Province as a relatively young Province, with an average age of around 43, Fr Brian sees its youthful composition as both an opportunity and a responsibility. He hopes to harness the energy, enthusiasm and creativity of younger Jesuits to explore new and emerging frontiers of mission, both within the province and beyond.
4. Engaging Critically and Creatively with Artificial Intelligence
Recognising the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence, he emphasised the need to embrace its opportunities in education, administration and governance while remaining critically conscious of its ethical, social and human implications. The challenge, he noted, is to engage with emerging technologies wisely and responsibly.
5. Fostering Collaboration and Empowering Mission Partners
Fr Brian envisages a stronger culture of teamwork, collaboration and networking across all Jesuit ministries. He particularly emphasised investing in the formation and empowerment of Mission Partners, recognising that the Jesuit mission is strengthened through the meaningful participation and contribution of all those who work alongside the Society.
6. Transforming Educational Institutions into Centres of Formation
He called for a renewed understanding of Jesuit education, stressing that educational institutions must evolve beyond being centres of information or merely preparing graduates for the corporate world. They must increasingly become centres of formation and transformation, nurturing persons of competence, conscience, compassion and commitment.
In this regard, he highlighted the need to strengthen initiatives such as Centres for Human Excellence, Outreach Centres, Peace and Harmony Clubs, and mental health support systems across Jesuit educational institutions.
7. Promoting Research with Social Impact
Emphasising the relevance of research in addressing contemporary realities, Fr Brian expressed the need to encourage meaningful research that engages with social, economic, political and cultural challenges. He hopes that research undertaken within Jesuit institutions will go beyond academic publications and contribute tangibly to building a more just, inclusive and humane society.
8. Renewing Commitment to Vocation Promotion
He also underlined the importance of strengthening vocation promotion and creating an environment in which young people are encouraged and inspired to discover their deeper calling and respond generously to God's invitation.
Moving Forward as One Apostolic Body
Above all these priorities, Fr Brian hopes to nurture a Province characterised by a deeper sense of belonging, mutual trust, collaboration and shared responsibility. He believes that every Jesuit has unique gifts to contribute and that the province’s mission can flourish when these gifts are recognised, encouraged and brought together.
His vision is to move forward not simply as 317 Jesuits serving in different institutions and ministries, but as one apostolic body, united in purpose and committed to God's mission.
"Whatever we undertake, we need to do it together, recognising the gifts of each individual and encouraging everyone to contribute meaningfully," he emphasised.
A New Chapter in the Jesuit Mission
Fr Brian Pereira hails from Udyavara in Udupi district and brings to this responsibility considerable experience in Jesuit formation, youth empowerment, institutional administration, leadership development and social outreach. His previous assignments include vocation promotion, directing the Jesuit Pre-Novitiate at Navasadhana, leadership in Jesuit youth initiatives in South Asia, serving as Rector of St Joseph's College and St Joseph's Institutions, Bengaluru, and most recently directing the Human Resource Development Centre of the Karnataka Jesuit Province and as the rector of St Aloysius institutions in Mangaluru since May 2026.
He is also widely recognised for his contribution to youth formation through the IGNITORS Integral Formation Programme, which has reached more than two lakh young people across the country, and his involvement in initiatives such as MAGIS, Samagra and Bembala.
His academic background includes a Master's degree in Chemistry from St Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, and a Master's degree in Counselling from Loyola University, Maryland, USA. His experience in youth formation, counselling, leadership training and institutional governance provides a broad foundation for his new responsibility. Recently he also animated Jesuits of different provinces in India through restructuring and reimagination of Society of Jesus in South Asia (RRSJSA).
The assumption of office by Fr Brian marks more than a change in provincial leadership. It signals an opportunity for renewal, deeper collaboration and a renewed response to the challenges and possibilities of the times. The Jesuits are the pioneers of modern higher education in India, contributing in nation building, upholding democratic principles, catering to the marginalised in different parts of India since 1542, with a sole vision of empowering humanity and serving God with humility. The Karnataka Jesuit Province carved out of Calicut Mission in 1959 has immensely contributed particularly to education, spirituality, social work, pastoral needs in parishes, ecology, media, fine arts, inter-religious dialogue, counselling, legal aid and many more fields. Currently, around 58,000 students are educated in the chain of institutions run by them across Karnataka.
As Fr Dionysius Vaz hands over the responsibility with gratitude and peace, Fr Brian Pereira begins his mission with humility, hope and trust in God's providence. The journey ahead, as both leaders have emphasised in their own ways, will depend not on one individual but on the collective discernment, companionship and commitment of the entire Province.
A new Provincial takes the helm, but the mission remains one — to serve God and His people with greater depth, compassion and commitment.
