ABSTRACT
On their arrival in Jessore the Xaverians, who were expected to take charge of five missionary stations, 10 lamented the neglect and abandon of the mission and the communities. 11 The rapid withdrawal of the Salesians 12 had accentuated the shortage of personnel and their lack of preparation, the poor economic situation of the mission 13 and the extreme poverty of the Christians. 14 These difficulties were destined to persist during the whole decade and despite an early policy favouring the self-reliance of the Christians, 15 they always remained dependent on missionary aid. 16 The initial shortage of personnel had to be compensated for by the ‘sanctity’ of the missionaries, 17 their virtues of hope and humility, and the collaboration of sisters and catechists.
