By Fr. Felix Anthony –
Borduria: The place where St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata stayed during her visit to Arunachal Pradesh was converted into a prayer and pilgrimage centre in Borduria village on 1 August 2018.
St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata visited Arunachal Pradesh 25 years ago and was given a humble accommodation in Borduria village on 1 August 1993. To celebrate the event, the people of the village converted the room where the Saint stayed 25 years ago into a prayer and pilgrimage centre of Miao Diocese.
Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, who accompanied Mother Teresa on her only visit to Arunachal Pradesh, blessed the room and raised it to a prayer and pilgrimage centre in the presence of many Bishops from North East India, youth and village leaders from Borduria. Speaking on the occasion, the Archbishop recalled how difficult it was those days to bring Mother Teresa to Arunachal Pradesh. He appreciated the support given by Mr. Wanglat Lowangcha and his family during the visit of Mother Teresa. “Mother Teresa touched the conscience of the people”, he said. “She challenged the proud and the rich to be humble and to become a model for God’s kindness among the people. She has touched so many people’s heart with her humility and simplicity.”
He invited all the people to come and pray at the pilgrimage centre to become a blessing for others just like St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata was. Bishops Peter Remgius from Kottar, Joseph Aind from Dibrugarh, Paul Mattekatt from Diphu were present for the blessing ceremony.
Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao Diocese who, as a Priest working in Borduria, requested Mother Teresa to visit Arunachal on occasion of the blessing of the first Catholic Church in Arunachal Pradesh, also highlighted that Borduria is a very special place. A Saint has walked on its streets, he said, and it is a proud moment for all us as we have a prayer and pilgrimage centre in honour of St. Mother Teresa. I request you all to come and pray here and rest a while at the place where the Saint rested for a day among us”, he said.
Mrs. Senphiak Lowangcha, the mother of Mr. Wanglat Lowangcha, the first person to be baptized in Arunachal Pradesh, inaugurated the prayer centre.
The people of Borduria and eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh feel blessed honoured to have a landmark dedicated to the memory of the only visit of St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata to this humble village in Tirap district.