Guwahati, India, 28 October 2022 -- In the presence of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel F. Artime, the MSMHC (Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother General Sr. Philomena Mathew) celebrated their 80th anniversary of foundation in the North East of India (Guwahati) on October 24, 2022. The 1500-strong MSMHC Congregation was founded by one of the first Salesian missionaries who arrived in 1922 to this part of India, Venerable Bishop Stephen Ferrando, SDB on October 24, 1942.
With a strong missionary drive, the MSMHC members are now engaged in the mission ranging from faith formation, education and social work, serving in all 15 dioceses of North East India. The Sisters' mission extends to 54 education institutions, 115 parish schools and 140 hostels with a mission outreach to the youth in need or at risk, special attention to the domestic workers, victims of drugs and alcohol abuse.
Five years ago the Congregation open their first mission in East Asia - Myanmar. A few months ago Sister Mini and Sister Lapynshai were welcomed to Oceania - Papua New Guinea, Salesian parish in Sabama (Port Moresby). At the same time a new community with 3 MSMHC (Sister Elsa, Monica and Rosie) was in the diocese of Oudtshoorn (Cape Town area, South Africa). The missionary spirit of the Aisters follows their Congregation's motto: "Go and Proclaim the Good news".
The Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC), the first indigenous Congregation in North East India was founded on October 24, 1942, at Guwahati, Assam by His Excellency Stephen Ferrando, SDB, the then Bishop of Shillong. The Congregation has six provinces in India and a delegation in Italy. The provincial headquarters are at Bangalore, Guwahati, Kolkata, Shillong, Tinsukia and Tezpur and the delegation headquarter is at Turin, Italy. It has over 1500 members belonging to 60 ethnic groups working in 190 centres in India and 25 in other 12 countries.
Related resources
- MSMHC official website
- MSMHC Congregation - presentation - Boscolink
- Relate news article: AustraLasia 5336 (I) MSMHC Sisters 4 years after arrival to Myanmar
