Retreat House, Imphal | 26 October 2025
The Archdiocese of Imphal, in collaboration with the Conference of Religious India (CRI) Manipur, organised a special Jubilee Celebration for Religious Sisters on 26 October 2025 at the Retreat House, Imphal. Held during the Jubilee Year 2025 with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” the celebration brought together religious sisters from across the Archdiocese for prayer, reflection, fellowship and thanksgiving for the gift of consecrated life.
The celebration was particularly significant as it was the first time that CRI Manipur organised a special Jubilee celebration for the Sister Jubilarians. The gathering was conceived as an opportunity to honour the witness of religious women who have dedicated years of their lives to the service of the Church and the people of Manipur.
The programme began with prayer and an animation session led by Sr. Marcellina Sangma FMA, who served as the resource person for the Jubilee gathering. Her sessions invited the participants to reflect on their vocation and consecrated journey in the light of the Jubilee theme, Pilgrims of Hope.
Jubilee Eucharist
The spiritual centre of the celebration was the Solemn Jubilee Eucharist celebrated at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Imphal, with Most Rev. Dr. Linus Neli, DD, Archbishop of Imphal, as the main celebrant. The Eucharist offered the religious sisters an opportunity to give thanks for God’s faithfulness and for the many years of service entrusted to them.
The Jubilee theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” drew its inspiration from the Jubilee Year proclaimed throughout the universal Church. The celebration invited the sisters to see their consecrated lives as a continuing pilgrimage of faith, hope and service.
Celebrating the Witness of the Jubilarians
A special moment of the programme was the felicitation of the Jubilarians, including sisters celebrating significant milestones of consecrated life, particularly 25, 50 and 60 years. Their years of faithful service were recognised as a precious gift to the Church in Manipur.
The celebration highlighted the many ways in which religious women have served the Church and society—as educators, healthcare workers, evangelisers, formators, principals, administrators and pastoral workers. Their presence across Manipur has enabled countless people to encounter Christ through education, service, prayer and compassionate accompaniment.
In his welcome address, Fr Benny James SDB, President of CRI Manipur, expressed gratitude to the sisters for their dedicated service and welcomed them to the Jubilee celebration. He also acknowledged the support of the Archdiocesan leadership, particularly Rev. Fr. Varghese, Vicar General, and Rev. Fr. Paul Ngaoni, Chancellor, whose vision, planning and encouragement contributed significantly to the organisation of the celebration.
Fr Benny also expressed appreciation to Sr. Dr. Arpita SMMI, CRI Secretary, for identifying and inviting the resource person, Sr. Marcellina Sangma FMA, and thanked Sr. Marcellina for animating the gathering.
A Celebration of Hope and Consecrated Service
The celebration offered the sisters an opportunity not only to look back with gratitude but also to look forward with renewed missionary enthusiasm. The Jubilee reflection presented consecrated life as a pilgrimage in which hope remains the thread connecting moments of joy, sacrifice, uncertainty and service.
The Jubilee message prepared for the occasion described the sisters as pilgrims who have journeyed faithfully with Christ, carrying His light to others through teaching, healing, prayer and service. Their lives were presented as a living testimony that “hope does not disappoint” because God’s love sustains those who place their trust in Him.
The celebration also recognised the personal sacrifices made by the sisters who travelled from different places to participate. Their presence, despite demanding schedules and long journeys, was itself seen as a sign of their commitment to communion and to the wider religious family of the Archdiocese.
A New Beginning in Hope
The Jubilee celebration concluded as a moment of thanksgiving and renewed commitment. For the Jubilarians, it was an occasion to celebrate God’s faithfulness throughout their years of consecrated life; for the wider religious community, it was an opportunity to honour their witness and draw inspiration from their fidelity.
As the Church in Manipur continues its journey through changing and challenging circumstances, the Jubilee reminded the religious that their vocation remains a powerful witness of hope, unity, service and missionary commitment.
The celebration was a significant initiative of the Archdiocese of Imphal in collaboration with CRI Manipur, strengthening fraternity among religious women and honouring the generations of sisters whose lives and ministries have contributed to the mission of the Church in Manipur.
As Pilgrims of Hope, the religious sisters continue their journey—grateful for the past, renewed in the present and confident in God’s future.
