Dimapur, February 21 (MExN): Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the Bishop of Kohima, blessed the newly built San Domiano Novitiate house in Medziphema on February 20. Rev. Fr. Thomas MSFS, Parish Priest Medziphema unveiled the plaque while Rev. Sr. Lilly Maria FCC, the Provincial Superior of Clare Province cut the ribbon and inaugurated the building. Rev. Sr. Lilly Maria said that after 50 years of stay and ministry in North East, today the FCC is privileged to have a novitiate house by the divine providence and prayers and through generosity of many good persons, stated a press release issued by Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima. She thanked Bishop, fathers, sisters, building contractor, laborers and all who contributed materially and spiritually to complete the building. Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) is a congregation that follows the spirituality and missionary spirit of St. Francis of Assissi and St. Clare. They came to North East 51 years ago and today they serve in almost all the states in North East India, the release informed. St. Alphonsa was a member of this congregation. Novitiate is a period of two years of intense prayer, discernment and formation after which the novices take the first profession by which they profess the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in order to dedicate themselves entirely to serve Jesus in the congregation for the Church, according to the press release. Earlier, Provincial Sr. Lilly Maria FCC also welcomed Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Fathers Thomas MSFS, Parish Priest, George MSFS, Augustine MSFS, Rector of the Seminary, other Fathers, Sisters, Novices and others to the ceremony.
