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Bethlehem Mission Society

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First SMB Candidate from Sri Lanka, Arulpragash, Shares His Vocation

First SMB Candidate from Sri Lanka, Arulpragash, Shares His Vocation

In January, young Africans from several countries began the first stage of their journey at the SMB Missionary Training House in Harare (Zimbabwe) as members of the Missionaries of Bethlehem. Welcomed by the formation team, they committed themselves to community life: prayers, biblical and missionary studies, manual work, and shared meals. Among them was to join a candidate from Asia: Arulpragash, originally from Sri Lanka. Delayed by circumstances beyond his control, he ultimately rejoined his brothers in Harare, where he successfully completed this first stage of formation. Here is his testimony, which we are happy to share with you, friends of Étoile de Bethléem. I am Arulpragash from Sri Lanka, and I have the honor of being the first Asian candidate accepted by the SMB. From my childhood, I felt a call to serve God by serving the poorest. Discovering the SMB’s daily reflections on Facebook – Étoile de Bethléem… Read more
July 30, 2025

Previous Articles

First SMB Candidate from Sri Lanka, Arulpragash, Shares His Vocation

First SMB Candidate from Sri Lanka, Arulpragash, Shares His Vocation

In January, young Africans from several countries began the first stage of their journey at the SMB Missionary Training House […].. Read More →
Bishop Muyengo of Uvira (DRC) visits the Missionaries of Bethlehem in Torry

Bishop Muyengo of Uvira (DRC) visits the Missionaries of Bethlehem in Torry

Fribourg, May 28, 2025 – The community of the Missionaries of Bethlehem (SMB) in Torry had the honor of welcoming […].. Read More →
New Promises Made by Four SMB Novices in Zimbabwe

New Promises Made by Four SMB Novices in Zimbabwe

Four young SMB missionaries have made their first promises in Zimbabwe, at the end of an introductory year marked by […].. Read More →
Preparing Missionaries for the New Frontiers: MISAL 2025 Continental Meeting in Milan

Preparing Missionaries for the New Frontiers: MISAL 2025 Continental Meeting in Milan

From Monday 24 to Friday 28 March 2025, the continental meeting of MISAL Africa and Europe took place at the […].. Read More →
New SMB Candidates: Launch of the Community Experience Program in Harare

New SMB Candidates: Launch of the Community Experience Program in Harare

On January 6, 2025, six new candidates for the Missionary Society of Bethlehem (SMB) gathered at Bethlehem House, a new […].. Read More →
MISAL 2024 | Journeying Together: Exploring New Frontiers

MISAL 2024 | Journeying Together: Exploring New Frontiers

The biennial international meeting of the Missionary Societies of Apostolic Life (MISAL) took place from December 2 to 6, 2024, […].. Read More →
Beginning of the Introduction Year for Jean de Dieu Twagirimana

Beginning of the Introduction Year for Jean de Dieu Twagirimana

Jean de Dieu Twagirimana, originally from Rwanda, has begun his introduction year with the Missionaries of Bethlehem (SMB) in Torry. […].. Read More →
Joël Mambe: The First African Member of the SMB

Joël Mambe: The First African Member of the SMB

On Sunday, September 29, 2024, in the chapel of the Missionaries of Bethléem in Immensee, for the first time in […].. Read More →
The Superior of the Capuchins of Zimbabwe Visits the SMB in Switzerland

The Superior of the Capuchins of Zimbabwe Visits the SMB in Switzerland

Recently, Fr. Ludovic Nobel, Superior General of the Missionaries of Bethlehem, welcomed Fr. Joseph Mawedze, Custos of the Custody of […].. Read More →
1924 – 2024 | 100 Years Since the Sending of the First SMB Missionaries to China

1924 – 2024 | 100 Years Since the Sending of the First SMB Missionaries to China

One hundred years ago, the first Bethlehem Missionaries (SMB) were sent to China. After its foundation in 1921, which was […].. Read More →
Visit of Bishop Luc Olivier Razafitsimialona, Bishop of Tolagnaro, Madagascar

Visit of Bishop Luc Olivier Razafitsimialona, Bishop of Tolagnaro, Madagascar

On Saturday, September 7, 2024, Bishop Luc Olivier Razafitsimialona, Bishop of Tolagnaro, Madagascar, visited the Missionaries of Bethlehem in Torry, […].. Read More →
Missionary Cornel Dober: assassinated 55 years ago…

Missionary Cornel Dober: assassinated 55 years ago…

The text about Cornel Dober is a foreword to the brochure ‘Korn, das in die Erde fällt. Sie gaben ihr […].. Read More →
In Paris, a Tribute to Bethlehem Missionary Pablo Meier

In Paris, a Tribute to Bethlehem Missionary Pablo Meier

The Peruvian Silvia Dana-Echevarria, president of the association “Les Amis du Patrimoine”, active in Paris, came to Immensee in the […].. Read More →
The SMB in Solidarity with the Children of Bethlehem

The SMB in Solidarity with the Children of Bethlehem

Kinderhilfe Bethlehem is an international Christian aid organization, founded in 1963 through a German and Swiss initiative. The association manages the […].. Read More →
Visit of Bishop Marie-Fabien Raharilamboniaina from Madagascar

Visit of Bishop Marie-Fabien Raharilamboniaina from Madagascar

On May 25, 2024, Marie-Fabien Raharilamboniaina, the bishop of the Diocese of Morondava and president of the Episcopal Conference of […].. Read More →