The morning of 5 August 2022 marked an important day of celebration as the FMA Family all over the world celebrated the 150th foundation of our Institute with great enthusiasm and splendor. Every community in the province raised a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God for the wonders He has worked in the history of our Institute, in the province, in the communities and in the life of each Daughter of Mary Help of Christians.
The festivity of 150th Anniversary of the foundation of Institute began with the vigil service on 04th August celebrating the Sesquicentennial of the Foundation of our congregation. Thanking God for Don Bosco our Founder and Mother Mazzarello the Co – foundress and our first sisters. The well –prepared Morning Prayer took us to Mornese – the birth place of our Congregation, reminded us of the beckoning of GC XXIII to reawaken the freshness of our vocational fruitfulness and to walk the path of holiness traced out by our saints of our Salesian Family. The prayer was concluded with an invitation to live our life of fidelity living the ordinariness of our lives. The Solemn Eucharistic celebration began with the candle light procession of those who pronounced their Vows on 5 August and two Juniors from Shillong who would renew their Vows and the celebrant and seven concelebrants representing KJC and Viswadeep. The papal flag and Institute flag led the Procession while an introduction was read. The celebrant Fr. T C George welcomed the gathering and offered the Eucharist for the Congregation, Province and everyone. The Liturgy was solemnized with an appropriate introduction, melodious singing, prayerful and active participation by the faithful.
During the homily Fr. TC George highlighted the presence of Mother Mary in the life of Don Bosco and encouraged the Sisters to be her true and authentic Daughters. Homily was followed by the Renewal of Vows of the two Junior Sisters from Shillong- Srs. Joyly and Rebha. As a sign of our renewal of the covenant with the Lord, all of us renewed the Vows. After Communion the whole congregation made our act of thanksgiving for the prodigious blessings and graces, we have received during the past 150 years. The Mass was concluded with the Institute Anthem. The festal air continued to permeate in the refectory singing heartily the festal song and cutting the cake. The jubilation and gratitude continued throughout the day.
