“I’m Fr. Joseph Vanga, 37 years old, from Hyderabad Province, India (INH). I come from a remote village in Andhra Pradesh, where my parents, who are farmers, taught me to trust in God’s Providence, especially during hardship and crop failure. I carry that lesson of faith with me wherever I go."

Fr. Vanga shared how his missionary vocation was ignited during his theological studies at Sacred Heart Theological Studentate in Shillong. “A young missionary priest from Africa visited us and shared his experiences. His Goodnight talk was the spark that ignited the flame of my missionary vocation,” he recalls. Despite expressing his desire to serve in the missions for years, his Provincial urged him to serve the Province first.

Ordained six years ago, Fr. Vanga obtained an MA in Communication, majoring in journalism from Kannur University, Kerala, in 2014. “My missionary desire grew even stronger over the years,” he says. Finally, in February 2023, during the Team Visit to South Asia, he took a bold step and approached Fr. Alfred Maravilla, the General Councillor for Missions, to present his story. After several discussions, Fr. Maravilla brought his case directly to the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime. "The Rector Major assured me I would be sent to the missions once my Provincial Delegate for Social Communication term concluded in 2024. In the meantime, I submitted my missionary application."

Fr. Vanga was asked about his willingness to be sent to Oceania as part of the discernment process. "I consented, trusting God and ready to serve anywhere. I’m not scared of the place or the people," he says. He was later informed that the Rector Major would send him and another missionary to the PGS Vice-Province “given the new presence in Vanuatu." While he may not be the one directly sent to Vanuatu, he is ready to replace a confrere who may go there in November 2025. “I’m happy to be part of our EAO region now.”

Reflecting on the five weeks of the "Corso Germoglio" for departing missionaries, Fr. Vanga emphasized the significance of the spiritual journey through the places of Don Bosco. “It gave us enough time to reflect on our missionary vocation and its challenges,” he shares. "Through prayer, I formed my beliefs. I believe: ‘I trust that the Lord who called me will lead me forward. In every culture, God is vividly present in people's lives.’”

Fr. Vanga acknowledges that there will be challenges in PGS, but he remains resolute with unwavering faith: “It does not matter because, trusting in God's grace, I will be able to accept and eventually overcome them.”