Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima Diocese, along with other during the Platinum Jubilee celebration of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Lakhuti on January 18.
Lakhuti, January 18 (MExN): The Platinum Jubilee of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Lakhuti, marking 75 years of Catholic faith, was celebrated from January 16 to 18, under the theme “Thy Kingdom Come, O Lord” (Mt 6:10). The three-day celebration concluded on January 18 with a solemn Holy Mass, with Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima Diocese, as the main celebrant.
The jubilee culminated with the final blessing led by the Bishop of Kohima Diocese, serving as a clarion call for forgiveness, reconciliation and unity, and reminding the faithful of their spiritual pilgrimage as members of the Catholic Church. Over the decades, the Catholic faith in Lakhuti village and its parish has grown steadily across generations, bearing rich spiritual fruit. The 75-year milestone stands as a testimony to the unfailing love of the Triune God.
The jubilee celebrations commenced on January 16 with the blessing of the jubilee site and its surroundings by Rev Fr N K George. This was followed by the release of a commemorative postal envelope by Echungthung Yanthan, Assistant Director of Postal Services. The day concluded with Eucharistic Adoration led by Rev Fr Marcus Yanthan and Sr Rita Humtsoe, FCC.
On the second day, the Holy Eucharistic Celebration was led by Rev Fr Abraham Lotha, the first priest from Lakhuti village, with Br Dominic Zabenthung J Lotha serving as the narrator of ceremonies. In the afternoon, a Eucharistic procession was held around the village, followed by Holy Adoration and confessions in the evening.
The final and main day of the jubilee was graced by Bishop James Thoppil as the main celebrant, with Rev Fr Peter Enni serving as the narrator of ceremonies.
The programme began with the rite of blessing and dedication of the new church building, along with the blessing of the Platinum Jubilee monolith, performed by the Bishop. The monolith was unveiled by Yanjo Veronica Yanthan, wife of one of the three pioneers, Yantsao Lucus Yanthan, while the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the opening of the church door were carried out by Abraham Santsuo Humtsoe, son of another pioneer, Shanpano Zechariah Humtsoe.
During the Holy Eucharistic Celebration, Bishop Thoppil congratulated the Catholic community of Lakhuti on completing 75 years of faith. He reflected on the physical, emotional and personal sacrifices made by the pioneers who embraced Catholicism despite opposition, prejudice and threats arising from misinformation and vested interests.
He noted that the Catholic Church in Nagaland was first established in Lakhuti village and later spread to neighbouring villages, bringing transformation not only to the village but also to the Lotha tribe and Nagaland as a whole.
The Bishop called upon the faithful to remember the past with gratitude, live the present with renewed commitment, and look to the future with hope. He urged Catholics to live their faith authentically so that their lives may reflect Christian values of love, forgiveness, service, sacrifice and detachment from excessive worldly attachments.
Highlighting the Lord’s Prayer—“Your Kingdom come, your will be done”—the Bishop said the Platinum Jubilee was not merely a remembrance of the past but a call to renew faith and commitment in today’s world. He encouraged the faithful to share their blessings selflessly and leave behind a lasting legacy for future generations.
Following the Holy Mass, a felicitation programme was held, chaired by Jonas Yanthan. Short speeches were delivered by Dr Johnny Ruangmei, outgoing president of the Catholic Association of Nagaland, and Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor to the Government of Nagaland.
