Recalling ‘The Mission’, a haunting portrait of faith, power, and conscience

By Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ*

The Mission (1986) is a British period drama that portrays the experiences of a in . The film is complex, compelling, and spiritually resonant. It centres on the moral stand taken by to protect the identity and autonomy of the , an Indigenous tribe facing exploitation under . Set against the backdrop of imperial politics, the narrative explores the tensions between colonial power, the greed of pro-slavery settlers, and the pragmatic dilemmas confronting the Church and the Jesuits.

Rooted in historical events surrounding the , when Spain ceded parts of to Portugal, The Mission also reflects the looming suppression of the in Europe (1759–1773). It depicts the resilience of the Guarani people and the Jesuits’ unwavering effort to defend their rights, culture, and dignity amid systemic exploitation. The film lays bare bureaucratic struggles, political intrigue, religious machinations, and moral compromise while emphasising the courage required to confront injustice. Ultimately, it becomes a meditation on prophetic witness — the readiness to identify with the oppressed and to live out the Gospel in the face of adversity.

As the Catholic Church marks on October 19, the film’s themes find renewed relevance. This , focused on the call to be “,” continues to draw from the ’s central principles of communion, participation, and mission.

In one of his final messages before his passing, , in his World Mission Day 2025 address, reaffirmed this hope-filled vision: “For World Mission Day in the Jubilee Year 2025, whose central message is hope, I have chosen the motto: ‘.’” He reminded the Church of its vocation to embody hope through witness and service: “I trust that it will be for everyone a time of grace with the faithful God who has given us new birth in the risen Christ ‘to a living hope’ (1 Pet 1:3–4).”

Francis contextualised this message within the realities of modern life — alienation, indifference, and consumerism — urging communities to rediscover empathy and interconnectedness. He observed that in technologically advanced societies, people are “all interconnected but not related,” warning that efficiency and ambition often erode compassion. Only the Gospel, lived in community, he noted, can restore humanity’s wholeness.

In his (Hope Does Not Disappoint, May 9, 2024), the Pope challenged believers to confront despair and injustice with prophetic courage. True mission, he said, lies in transforming despair into hope — a commitment that must extend beyond rhetoric to tangible witness and solidarity with the most vulnerable.

The echoes this conviction, affirming that the Church does not merely have a mission but is mission: “As the Father has sent me, I also send you” (). The Church’s very identity, rooted in Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, is expressed through service, witness, and a preferential option for the poor.

While the words “mission” and “missionary” are sometimes misunderstood or viewed with suspicion, their meaning extends far beyond religious conversion. A mission is, at its core, a purpose or calling — an endeavour to serve, uplift, or transform. It belongs to all humanity. Many religious and secular organisations, from the to global corporations, define their purpose through that express service and aspiration.

Mission, therefore, is inclusive and universal. As the saying goes, “Life is a mission, not a career. A career asks: what’s in it for me? A mission asks: how can I make a difference?” In a world fractured by violence, hate, and despair, each person is called to make that difference — to become, in word and deed, a missionary of hope.

In the spirit of The Mission, every human being carries a calling — a responsibility to stand with the suffering, to defend dignity, and to build hope among all peoples.

---

*Human rights, reconciliation, and peace activist-writer

Comments

Academics urge Azim Premji University to drop FIR against Student Reading Circle

By A Representative A group of academics and civil society members has issued an open letter to the leadership of Azim Premji University expressing concern over the filing of a police complaint that led to an FIR against a student-run reading circle following a recent incident of violence on campus. The signatories state that they hold the university in high regard for its commitment to constitutional values, critical inquiry and ethical public engagement, and argue that it is precisely because of this reputation that the present development is troubling.

'Policy long overdue': Coalition of 29 experts tells JP Nadda to act on SC warning label order

By A Representative In a significant development for public health, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to seriously consider implementing mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on pre-packaged food products. The order, passed by a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan on February 10, 2026, comes as the Court expressed dissatisfaction with the regulatory body's progress on the issue.

UAPA action against Telangana activist: Criminalising legitimate democratic activity?

By A Representative The National Investigation Agency's Hyderabad branch has issued notices to more than ten individuals in Telangana in connection with FIR No. RC-04/2025. Those served include activists, former student leaders, civil rights advocates, poets, writers, retired schoolteachers, and local leaders associated with the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Indian National Congress.

Vaccination vs screening: Policy questions raised on cervical cancer strategy

By A Representative A public policy expert has written to Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda raising a series of concerns regarding the national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign launched on February 28 for 14-year-old girls.

The new anti-national certificate: If Arundhati Roy is the benchmark, count me in

By Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava* Dear MANIT Alumni Network Committee, “Are you anti-national?” I encountered this fascinating—some may say intimidating—question from an elderly woman I barely know, an alumna of Maulana Azad College of Technology (MACT, now Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology - MANIT), Bhopal, and apparently one of the founders of the MACT (now MANIT) Alumni Network. The authority with which she posed the question was striking. “How much anti-national are you? What have you done for the Alumni Network Committee to identify you as anti-national?” When I asked what “anti-national” meant to her and who was busy certifying me as such, the response came in counter-questions.

Minority concerns mount: RTI reveals govt funded Delhi religious meet in December

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* Indian Muslims have expressed deep concern over what they describe as rising hate speech and hostility against their community under the BJP-led government in India. A recent flashpoint was the event organised by Sanatan Sanstha titled “Sanatan Rashtra Shankhnad Mahotsav” in New Delhi on 13–14 December 2025.

Development vs community: New coal politics and old conflicts in Madhya Pradesh

By Deepmala Patel* The Singrauli region of Madhya Pradesh, often described as “India’s energy capital,” has for decades been a hub of coal mining and thermal power generation. Today, the Dhirouli coal mine project in this district has triggered widespread protests among local communities. In recent years, the project has generated intense controversy, public opposition, and significant legal and social questions. This is not merely a dispute over one mine; it raises a larger question—who pays the price for energy development? Large corporate beneficiaries or the survival of local communities?

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

From neglect to progress: The story of Ranavara’s community-led development

By Bharat Dogra Visitors to Ranavara, a remote village in Kherwara block of Udaipur district, are often surprised by its multi-dimensional progress. The village today is known for its impressive school building, regenerated pastures, expanded tree cover, and extensive water conservation and supply works. These achievements are the outcome of sustained community efforts over several years, demonstrating how small, consistent initiatives can lead to significant change.

Search This Blog