When a seed is sown what happens is that the seed slowly gets dichotomized to put forth shoot. Gradually a tiny little green spot appears on the ground, which emerges to be a stem putting out may be just a leaf or two. It is out of these very humble beginnings that great giant trees begin their life journey. Something very similar has happened in the emergence of the Santvana Community of disciples. What the Santvana Community now is has very little resemblance to what it started off as. In the growth process, the Indian Missionary Society has played a vital role in helping this tree to grow to its present stature, providing just the optimum support as the tender shoot was taking root.

Santvana had its beginnings in a strong inspiration received by Fr. Dheeraj Sabu IMS (Indian Missionary Society) in 1989. “Prepare the laity and go for Evangelization” was the prompting that he received from the Spirit. This seed that was sown resulted in him dying to his life’s ambition of being a full-fledged artist to give life to this dream of the Lord. 

Ignorant of what exactly the Lord wanted of him, and as he was not blessed with the talents of a dynamic leader or with extraordinary gifts of preaching, he started out by motivating the people in South India to think about the mission possibilities in North India. These motivational programs he called “SUVISHESHA KAHALAM” which means the ‘Trumpet of Good News’. From these motivational programs emerged an endeavour in association with the Jesus Youth, an International Charismatic Movement to bring interested people to the mission fields of North India, to experience first hand the richness of the harvest here. These outreaches were called Preshit 2000. Gradually a retreat team emerged from this team.

Along with a few other lay people interested in missionary activities and willing to devote a few months for it, he settled down at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh of North India, in a house that belonged to the Indian Missionary Society. This house took on the name of ‘SANTVANA’. The people residing in Santvana devoted their time to 12 hrs of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament coupled with outreaches to people of other faiths living in the locality. 

In the year 2000 during a North Indian preachers Koinonia at Matridham, Varanasi the Lord expressed through a message, his desire to see the community organized. “Set things in order.” He said. Initially, just a dream, the concept of a community, very gradually began to become concrete with the members catching on the vision from the pioneer. 

Responding to the Lord’s command, an exodus of the community in the quest of a permanent residence, started from Varanasi and tented enroute at Agra (UP), Sardhana (Meerut) and Noida finally coming to Delhi. In 2003 the community was registered as a Society. On Oct 3rd 2004, a newly built house in the land purchased for Santvana Community was blessed and 24 hours’ adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and intercessory prayer commenced there. Ever since this has become the fortress of Santvana and a refuge for many who call in with their prayer requests from all over the world. 

On July 7th 2003 the community received canonical approval as an association of the laity from its Patron, Most Rev. Vincent M. Concessao, the Archbishop of Delhi. On 1st of Feb 2004, ten of its members made a commitment in the presence of Archbishop Vincent. On Feb 4th 2006 five more members made their commitments. Today the Community has grown to be a strong tree rooted in love whose roots are the charisms of prayer and proclamation, bringing forth numerous ministries that contribute to the evangelizing mission of the church, sheltering people committed to a life of discipleship. At present the community has members from all over India, like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Gujrat.