Dimapur, February 20 (MExN): The Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS), Corpus Christi Province, Dimapur celebrated the golden and silver jubilees of the Sisters at SABS Provincial House, Chumukedima with the Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as the main celebrant and concelebrated by Most Rev. Paul Mattekat, the Bishop of Diphu and 45 priests. The celebration’s theme was “Mighty has done great things for me” (Lk.1.19).
Mother Sibia, SABS, was the Golden Jubilerian and Sisters Nirmala Muthirakalayil SABS, Vineetha Eranackal SABS, Rose Kannackal SABS, Elaize Muthirakalayil SABS, Ancy Mullenkuzhiyil SABS, Amala Puthiyadeth SABS, Rose Mary Kochutharayil SABS, Lizabeth Vellilamthadam SABS and Flowerlit Thenamkuzhiyil SABS were the Silver Jubilerians, informed a press release from Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima.
Bishop in his homily thanked the Sisters in the name of the diocese for the great ministry they have carried out despite many odds and difficulties in various missions in Nagaland in particular and the entire NE in general. Pointing out that they were one of the first congregations to take up the mission in the farthest place in Kohima diocese – Tuensang, the Bishop acknowledged not only did they carry out the mission with great tenacity, perseverance and faithfulness, they continued to spread their wings to Kiphire, Tobu, Mokokchung, Pungro, etc.
“And God has blessed them and fructified their ministry. That is why we were able to expand and spread our presence from Tuensang to other places,” he added.
Referring to Pope Francis’ teaching that religious life helps the Church to grow through the way of attraction without bothering to proselytize, the Bishop further stated the religious life of “our” Sisters have been a way of attraction and the tangible proof of it is the large number of vocations they have from North East. “Not only did they attract others to their religious congregation by their commitment as religious, they have built up the mission, the Church by their active ministry and prayer life. True to their charism to make known the Eucharistic Lord, they have carried out their ministry by promoting and living Eucharistic devotion and the gospel values,” the Bishop lauded.
Rev. Dr. James Thoppil further noted that the reading the Sisters chose for the celebration exemplifies their vocation and mission. The first reading taken from the book of Leviticus that is often taken for jubilee celebration is the description of the jubilee among the Israelites. The reading is an invitation to celebrate jubilee as a time for retrospection, restoration, renewal and rededication, he said.
The second reading taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, the Bishop added, speaks of the manner in which every religious, for that matter, every Christians must live their life. “Everyone is specially chosen ones as beloved and holy, and so they must put on or live those qualities that befit their vocations – compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience, above all love – virtues that need to be lived particularly in a religious community.” Quoting Paul that what one does, in word or deed, must be done in the name of Jesus, the Bishop said when one lives one’s religious life in such a way, one will have the joy and blessedness of the beatitude, spoken by Jesus in the gospel. “Beatitudes are religious life in action.”
Bishop referred again to the words of Pope Francis who said that Jesus did not come to teach a philosophy, or an ideology, but rather a 'way', a journey to be undertaken with him. Christianity, at its beginning was called “the way”, he said, according to the release.
“We learn the way as we go, by walking. And that is what these Sisters have done during the last 50 and 25 years. There is our joy: joy to walk with Jesus, although it is not easy, or comfortable, because the way that Jesus chooses is the way of the Cross. The way of the cross purifies inwardly; it enlightens the consciences, uniting one with Jesus totally. Thinking and acting as the world thinks and acts leads to rivalry, jealousy, factions, and dissatisfaction,” he added. Bishop urged people of God to pray for the Sisters as they celebrate their jubilees.
The celebration, which was compered by Sr. Cecilia Paumai, SABS, began with the words of welcome by Sr. Catherine SABS, the Vice Provincial. There were congratulations songs and speeches after the Holy Mass.
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