Kohima, August 5 (MExN): 14 new sisters were inducted into the Daughters of the Mary Help of Christians (FMA) during the religious profession held at Cathedral Church, Kohima on August 5.
A press release from Fr. Renthungo Victor informed that the novices – Basumatray Sumuti, Chonglio Caroline, Indwar Mirula, Kajiri Bibiana Tshuvivi, Kera Angela Vilakuonuo, Kujur Kripa, Marak Kairina, Maria Mhalo, Pamei Jasmine, Talie Catherine Kikrusenuo, Toppo Priyanka, Toppo Emilia, Wangpan Grace Nonja, and Yulhung Celina Chothe – pronounced the three evangelical vows, namely poverty, chastity and obedience, as a promise of religious commitment and to the Church.
Most Rev. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima Diocese presided over the Holy Eucharist celebration as the main celebrant with priests from different parishes and centres of the diocese concelebrating.
In his homily, the Bishop stressed that life is short and “we” are called to live that life commendably. “God calls everyone for the specific purpose and each one responds to that God’s will. What we are is the God's gift to us and what we become is our gift to God…whether the religious or laities, everyone is called to live a life to holiness,” he was quoted as saying. “To answer to the call, we need to have virtue and that virtue needed to be strengthened by the knowledge and that knowledge is needed to have endurance, over all we need to have faith and love.”
Rev. James further exhorted the new sisters to live life passionately “as the Lord has loved us ardently.” They were told not to be ashamed to “love fervently to the one whom we serve,” the release said.
Meanwhile, the Bishop congratulated the newly professed sisters for their courage to “be a counter witness to the world that glorifies and glamorizes unbridled materialism and excessive consumerism through their religious vows of poverty, obedience and chastity.” He also congratulated the parents for “sacrificing” their children for the service of the Lord.
The significant part of the ceremony was the profession of the evangelical vows, presentation of the book of Constitution of the Congregation, and putting on of the chain with cross, the release stated. Special prayers were offered during the Holy Eucharistic celebration for the newly professed sisters.
Rev. Sr. Regina Angami FMA chaired the programme, while the newly professed presented a song titled ‘I Fix my Gaze on You’.
