Service and Solicitude: Realising Faith, Fellowship, and Fulfillment is a tribute to Fr. VM Jose SJ, highlighting his contributions to theology, pastoral leadership, and Indian Christianity. The book is divided into four sections that cover contextual theology, pastoral care, public theology, and inculturation in tribal communities. With contributions from scholars and pastoral workers, it reflects on Fr. Jose’s role in integrating Christian faith within Indian cultural and religious frameworks. Theological discussions, particularly on Indian Christology and pastoral mental health, align closely with his life's work in serving marginalized communities. The book also emphasizes public theology and environmental stewardship, resonating with Pope Francis' Laudato Si’ encyclical. It serves as both an academic and practical celebration of Fr. Jose’s intellectual and pastoral achievements, focusing on his lasting impact on theology, liturgy, and social justice.

Contents

Foreword
Preface
Introduction: Celebrating the Life and Contributions of Fr. V. M. Jose: An Academic Tribute

Section 1: Contextual Theology and Indian Christology

1. Phenomenology of Religious Experience: A Few Representative Models of Christ as Guru and Satguru in Indian Christology
    Sebastian Velassery

2. Cosmotheandric Vision: An Invitation to Wholeness
    Isaac Parackal OIC

3. Trinitarian Harmony in the Cosmos
    Shabin Varghese CST

4. The Names of the Messiah: Memory and Promise in the Gospel of Matthew
    Boris Repschinski SJ

5. Integrating Ecological and Cultural Sensitivity: Insights from the Amazon Synod for the Tribal Church in India
    Jacob Kulangara SJ

Section 2: Pastoral Theology: Leadership, Vocation, and Mental Health

6. Christian Vocation: Believers and Citizens
    Mohan Doss SVD

7. On Pastoral Theology: Challenges and Opportunities in Pastoral Counselling in India: Addressing Mental Health Stigma in Pastoral Counselling
    Bala Francis Kumar Chowrappa

8. Jesus: An Exemplar of Authentic Leadership
    Arun Antony Chully CMI

9. The Parish Pastoral Care in the Context of Synodality: A Call for the Participation of and Collaboration with Laity
    Ben Boss Chellappan Clarammal

10. How Psychology Continues to Promote Racism
      Patrick Saint-Jean SJ

11. From Neanderthals to Greek Myths: Freud’s Atheism on Stage
      Marc Grenier

Section 3: Public Theology, Social Responsibility, and Care for Creation

12. Spiritual Commitment to the “Care for our Common Home”
      Sony Chundattu CMI

13. Stewardship: Aligning Pope Francis’s Pastoral Concerns with Social Responsibility
      Joji Valli

14. “Be Merciful Like the Father”: Pope Francis’ Vision of ‘Mercy’ in Misericordiae Vultus
      Thomas Karimundackal SJ

15. Nostra Aetate in Relation with Other Conciliar Documents
      Anil Thomas Karackavayalil CM

16. Revolutionary Praxis and Prophetic Spirituality: The Convergence of Faith and Social Action in the Writings of Sebastian Kappen
      Biju Joseph SJ

Section 4: Liturgy and Evangelization: Sacramental Practices and Tribal Church

17. The Role of Liturgy in Tribal Evangelization: A Case Study of the Santal Tribe
      M. J. Peter SJ

18. Towards a Liturgy that Liberates: Experiencing God, Enabling Community and Empowering the Poor
      Kuruvilla Pandikattu SJ

19. Conviction, Commitment, and Compassion: The Practical Contributions of a Priest, Prophet and Pastor
     Kuruvilla Pandikattu SJ

Our Contributors
Testimonials
Message for the Festschrift for V. M. Jose SJ

Fr. VM Jose SJ, born in Kerala in 1959, is a committed theologian, educator, and pastor belonging to Dumka-Raiganj Province of the Society of Jesus. His work focuses on inculturation, integrating Christianity with Indian culture, particularly through his pastoral service to marginalized tribal communities. As a resident of Papal Seminary and professor at Jnana Deepa Institute in Pune, Fr. Jose shaped many future leaders, emphasizing contextual theology and liturgy. His academic contributions, including Towards a Local Tribal Church, demonstrate his commitment to developing a theology relevant to India’s diverse cultural contexts. Known for his humility, compassion and commitment, Fr. Jose’s legacy extends beyond academia into pastoral care and social justice.