St Francis Xavier's Cathedral Bengaluru

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER'S CATHEDRAL is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdioceseof Bangalore in India. Initially, Bangalore was the seat of the diocese of Mysore from 1886 to 1940 and during this time, St. Patrick's Church in Bangalore was the cathedral of the diocese. When the diocese of Mysore was bifurcated on 13 February 1940 to form the diocese of Bangalore, St. Francis Xavier's church was chosen as its cathedral.

The first church of St. Francis Xavier was constructed in 1851 by French missionaries of the Paris Foreign Missions Society. Due to the huge increase in the catholic population, this church eventually became inadequate. Hence in 1911, the foundation stone was laid for a new church. This church was inaugurated on 26 May 1932, which would become a cathedral in 1940. Two new domes of the facade were inaugurated on its platinum jubilee in the year 2009. Bangalore archbishop Bernard Moras re-dedicated the cathedral to St. Francis Xavier. The domes had been constructed along with several other renovations. Though they were part of the original plan of the cathedral, they could not be completed due to lack of funds.

The cathedral's large compound has three schools: St. Aloysius', St. Anthony's and St. Rock's. There is also a Shrine dedicated to St. Anthony. ~ www.sfxcathedral.com

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St. Francis Xavier (1506–1552) was a Spanish Jesuit missionary and one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). He played a key role in spreading Christianity in India, Japan, and other parts of Asia, earning him the title “Apostle of the Indies.” His missionary work in Goa left a lasting religious and cultural impact, and his incorrupt body is enshrined at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa.

According to Schurhammer in Francis Xavier: His Life, His Times (Volume IV), Xavier’s dedication and tireless efforts made him one of the most influential missionaries of the 16th century.

Here are some stunning photographs showcase the timeless beauty of St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral, located on St. John's Church Road, Cleveland Town, Pulikeshi Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. 

A masterpiece of faith and architecture, this cathedral stands as a beacon of history and devotion.

— Photographs by Bruce K. Thangkhal on 31 March 2025.
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St. Rock’s Girls HS KUKI-ZO Students: EMPOWERING HOPE through PRAYER and CARE

ON THIS 31 March 2025 evening, around 4:30 pm, a visit was made to St Rock’s Girls’ High School in Bengaluru, where a group of our beloved children, the Kuki-Zo young girls, is receiving free education and accommodation. Displaced by the violence in Manipur, they now reside here, as many of their villages have been destroyed.

These children are studying under the loving and affectionate care of Catholic sisters, who nurture them as their own.

In addition to their studies, these kids love football, and no doubt, they are good, better than their local peers.

With 30 lollypops in hand, they were met, and the sweets were joyfully shared with them.

My dear young sisters, please remember these three things in your heart: Be Obedient, Be Punctual, and Be Studious.

Most importantly, be prayerful. When waking up, before doing anything else, fold your hands and pray - thank God and ask for His blessings for the day. And before going to bed, pray to God as well.

We should pray for our teachers, our families, and our friends here. We must also pray for one another. Whenever feeling unwell, sad, angry, or burdened with any bad feelings: “call upon God / pray to God”.

Jeremiah 33:3 (NRSV) says:
“Call to me, and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

In times of difficulty, call upon God. God is good -- always ready to help and waiting for our call.

As we all know the situation at home, do not worry. God is with us all. Study hard to become successful - a doctor, an engineer, a pilot, an army officer - whatever you dream of.

It is our hope that God will grant us our aims and ambitions.

Looking forward to seeing you as doctors, officers, engineers, and more when we meet again.

Wishing them, blessing them with a word of prayer.

🙏💚May God bless St. Rock’s Girls’ High School and its Students!💚🙏

God Be With You All Till We Meet Again.

Kuki-Zo Children: A JOURNEY for EDUCATION & HOPE from MANIPUR to BENGALURU

Kuki-Zo Children: Empowering the Students for a Better Tomorrow

Motivating Kuki-Zo Students in Bengaluru

Parting Ways: Mangaluru

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal
Bengaluru | 31.03.'25

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Neglected and Crumbling: BBMP’s Apathy Towards Miller’s Road

Miller’s Road, a crucial link connecting multiple cities, has been left in a disgraceful state, littered with unnecessary waste -- discarded clothes, tangled wires, and heaps of garbage. Adding to the mess, frequent water leakages in the middle of the road pose a serious danger to passing vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents.

The complete lack of civic responsibility is evident, and yet, the concerned authorities have turned a blind eye. Despite months of neglect, no action has been taken to restore Miller’s Road to a clean and well-maintained condition.

Hey, BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike), wake up! It’s time to pull up your sleeves and get to work. The people of this city deserve better!

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal
A Concerned Citizen of India
Bengaluru | 3103.2025

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