The story of Dinesh Xalxo is a powerful testament to how faith, discipline, and unwavering determination can bridge continents. From his origins in a modest tribal village in Odisha's Sundargarh district, he has reached the prestigious position of rector and professor at a seminary in Bogotá, Colombia, mentoring future priests from across the globe.
A Foundation Built in Rural Odisha
Dinesh Xalxo, now 42 years old, began his life in Rapat Jore village within the Balishankara block. He is the eldest of six children. His father worked as a teacher in a mission school, while his mother managed their home. After completing his initial schooling, Dinesh pursued his +2 education at Municipal College in Rourkela.
His academic journey then took him across India. He earned a degree in sociology from the renowned Loyola College in Chennai in 2005. This was followed by a Master's in philosophy from Barkatullah University in Bhopal in 2008. He further solidified his commitment to service by obtaining a Master's in Social Work (MSW) from the Indore School of Social Work in 2012.
The Path of Religious Formation and Ordination
Dinesh's spiritual calling took shape early. His formal religious formation started in 1999 at Vidya Jyoti in Lungai Vedvyas. After juniorate training in Indore between 2001 and 2002, he professed his first vows in 2006. He studied philosophy at Vidya Bhavan in Bhopal and completed his regency at the Jan Vikas Centre in Indore.
His theological studies were undertaken at Gyana Deep Vidyapeeth in Pune from 2012 to 2015. He professed his perpetual vows in 2015 and was ordained a priest on January 17, 2016, at St Joseph Catholic Church in Sika Jor, Odisha.
Mission to South America and Life in Colombia
Answering a call to serve overseas, Dinesh was sent on a mission to South America. He arrived in Colombia on October 15, 2016. His first year was dedicated to immersive learning—mastering the Spanish language and understanding the local culture in cities like Bogotá, Cali, and Planeta Rica.
His first pastoral assignment was as assistant parish priest at St Peter Claver Parish in Planeta Rica, a role he held from 2018 to 2022. In 2023, he took on significant leadership and educational responsibilities. He was appointed as the rector and a professor at St Joseph Freinademetz Formation House in Bogotá. Here, he teaches spirituality and psychology while mentoring young seminarians from Colombia, Africa, and Vietnam.
Reflecting on his extraordinary path, Dinesh credits his humble beginnings as a source of strength. "Coming from a humble agricultural tribal family, no obstacle was big enough to stop me," he said. He attributes his success to "sincere dedication, hard work, discipline, determination and my spiritual life."
He added a profound note of gratitude and purpose: "I have reached this state of life by God’s grace, single-minded determination and my love for the mission of Jesus." Looking back, he shared, "I feel immensely blessed and supported by many people of good heart. I find profound joy as a tribal missionary serving in a foreign land."
The journey of Dinesh Xalxo from the tribal heartlands of Odisha to an influential educator in Colombia stands as a remarkable narrative of cross-cultural service and personal triumph, inspiring many in his home district and beyond.
