By Sr. Maria Naing, MSMHC

       Chin State, Myanmar, 9 June 2021 -- "We, the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC) landed in the Chin Hills of Myanmar at the invitation of Bishop of Kalay, Feilx Lian Khen Thang. The pioneer sisters were Sr. Julie Mate, Sr. Mary Niang and Sr. Simona Gualnam. They reached the promised land of Myanmar 4 years ago (July 2017) accompanied by Sr. Christine Mynsong (General Councillor for Evangelization).

       Our dream in Myanmar is to educate, and witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone. Our charism is fully missionary oriented with the focus on missio ad gentes. We strive to live the Salesian Spirit of Don Bosco which affects and permeates our whole life, both interior life and our mission. At present our 6 sisters are living in two communities in Myanmar.

       After 4 years in Myanmar - Chin State what surprised us most is that people are genuine and authentic in practising their faith. Our Catholic believers are simple and friendly in their approach. The challenge that we face is lack of financial support for their livelihood. Most of their family heads are addicted to alcohol and lack awareness of the importance of Education. Women and children are the victims of poverty and lack of education.

       From St. Mary’s Convent we are visiting 100 families and praying for them. Some 150 children have access to our Ferrando Nursery school and their parents are interacting with us. So far through 'Sujok treatment' (a kind of acupressure) we are able to reach out to 1900 patients. We are also taking care of hostel girls education, promoting their health and hygiene, assisting them in English conversation and moral education.

       Our second house in Myanmar is Ferrando Convent at Leitawhtan, Tedim. It was officially Inaugurated two years ago, on 24 May,2019. There are only 12 Catholic families, so the sisters visit both Catholic and non-Catholic families in the villages of this parish. As missionary sisters we attend funeral services and pray for the sick, visit them in hospitals and at their homes. Our community is also engaged with teaching Catechism for Catholic children and assists the English conversation class for the neighboring children. As Salesian Family members we also organize a Sunday Oratory for some 30 children. We nurture our dream about evangelizing and educating through formal or informal school, to care for women, girls and children, according to their needs."

       Note: the MSMHC are the 12th officially recognised group in the Salesian Family of Don Bosco, so far with only two communities in the EAO region and 6 sisters working in Myanmar. With 1290 professed members in 205 houses and 87 novices (January 2021) they are the second largest Congregation of religious women in the SF after the Salesian Sisters (FMA) - Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. MSMHC members are in 10 countries: India, Myanmar, Hawaii (USA), Italy, Germany, Eswatini, South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique and Ethiopia. More information on their website.

• AustraLasia 5312 (III) Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians in Myanmar
• AustraLasia 2636: MSMHC Acts of General Council (2010)
• MSMHC - Get know the 12th group of the Salesian Family

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