By Sr. Lalita Roshni Lakra, DSA –
On July 26, the Catholic Church across the world celebrated the feast of St. Anne and Joachim, parents of mother Mary and the grandparents of Jesus on July 26. India had another reason to celebrate too. The congregation of the Daughters of St. Anne (DSA), Ranchi commemorated the feast of its patron Saint, St. Anne and its 125th foundation day (Quasquicentennial Jubilee Year). However, the celebrations were modest due to prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation.
With the theme “Celebrating God’s Graciousness: Committed to Renewed Mission,” a solemn thanksgiving Mass was organized at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ranchi on Monday at 10.00 a.m., which was also streamed live online.
The Quasquicentennial Jubilee inaugural thanksgiving mass was presided over by His Grace Felix Toppo, SJ and concelebrated by Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX, Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi, Fr. Ajit Kumar Xess and about 10 rectors, superiors and heads of the institutes. DSA Ranchi candidates, through entrance dance accompanied the main celebrants, 10 concelebrants and Superior General Sr. Lily Grace Topno and Sr. Manjula Kindo, Ranchi Provincial. As per the traditional tribal custom, the hands of the dignitaries were washed before Mass.
In his homily, Archbishop Felix Toppo said, “The parents of our lady (Mother Mary) were bestowed with spiritual gifts. Saints Anne and Joachim are very important not only for the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Anne but for other people also. So many basilicas and churches are built and dedicated in honour of St. Anne. In St. Anne Basilica, Canada, many walkers are hung on the walls. It shows that many got healed from their sicknesses through the intercession of St. Anne.”
Archbishop Toppo also narrated the life of St. Anne and Joachim in his homily, “How a childless wife is considered as a curse for the family and the whole society. Only the woman is blamed for not begetting child and not man. That’s why sometimes, husbands used to divorce their wives and other women blessed with children used to pass negative comments on the barren women. Joachim had prayed for a virtuous partner for him. And he was granted. Joachim married twice – the first time with wisdom and second with Harun’s daughter – Anna. Both were prayerful and pious persons in the eyes of God. That is why God blessed them in their old age with a child named Mary, to become the Mother of God, Mother of Jesus. Both were consistent and patient in their prayer to God asking for a child. Both were granted special spiritual gifts and lived their life in holiness.”
At the end of thanksgiving Holy Mass Rev. Sr. Lily Grace Topno, Superior General of DSA, Ranchi, proposed vote of thanks.
After the Mass, the Jubilee flag was hoisted at St. Anne’s Shrine at St. Anne’s Mother House, Ranchi at St. Anne’s shrine. Homage was paid to our patroness and four Founding Mothers – Mary Bernadette, Servant of God and Founder, her three companions: Cecilia, Veronica and Mary. His Grace Felix Toppo, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Superior General, Sr. Provincials and delegates of other Congregations and institutions, offered the floral tribute to our Founding Mothers and St. Anne. DSA Candidates performed a jubilee dance composed by Sr. Lalita Roshni Lakra.
Dr. Sr. Rashmi Kanta Kiro, DSA was the Coordinator of Quasquicentennial Jubilee Celebration. Altogether, our Superior General and Bishops marking the 125 glorious years of the Congregation released 125 balloons in white and blue colors. Every community of the DSA celebrated it at their places in a simple way.
About The Congregation of the Daughters of St. Anne Ranchi
This the first indigenous congregation of eastern India. A brave tribal woman — Mother Mary Bernadette Prasad Kispotta — at Chhotanagpur, under the loving patronage of St. Anne, founded the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Anne Ranchi on July 26, 1897. Mother Mary Bernadette belonged to Sargaon village of Mandar Parish of Jharkhand, some 32 kilometers from Ranchi.
There’s an interesting connection of Daughters of St Anne with the Loreto Sisters. Loreto in India owes its origin to a visit by Dr. Bakhaus to Loreto Abbey, Ireland, in 1840 to request Mother Teresa Ball to send sisters to set up a school of Catholic children in Calcutta. In 1841, Mother Teresa Ball sent seven Loreto Sisters and five Postulants. All in their twenties, under the leadership of Delphine Hart to India, announcing that they would probably never see their homeland again. They were welcomed at Calcutta by the then Bishop Carew, and installed at Loreto House, 7 Middleton Row. They were the first congregation of sisters to come to North India.
The foundational inspiration of Founder Mother Mary Bernadette
“The life of Loreto Sisters touched, shook and inspired the four tribal girls – Bernadette, Cecilia, Veronica and Mary. It struck them as to how the Loreto Sisters, who had left their near and dear ones and their country, came to the godforsaken junglee area and worked among the poor and lowly, out of love of Jesus. They labored day and night with great affection to help the souls to reach heaven. So, they said to themselves that if these Sisters sacrificed and did so much for them, then why should they not be ready to follow their example and work for the good of their own country and people?” (The Memoir of Sr. Anna Mary Bernadette, p.2)
Rev. Fr. Bodson, SJ, the Headmaster of St. John’s School, Ranchi wrote at that time: “They are good religious not only because of the religious habit they wear but also by their piety, their zeal, their devotedness, their humility and their modesty. (cf. Dorothy Ekka, OSU, Hope Filled Journey of Hundred Years).
The Daughters of St. Anne renders service in seven Archdioceses, 29 dioceses, 148 convents. Two delegations are stationed at Andamans and on August 9, 1922, this indigenous Congregation stepped into Europe and currently there are eight convents rendering its service. Ninety-nine percent (1113) of total number of Sisters are tribals, besides they have four provinces — Madhya Pradesh, Gumla, Ranchi and Jalpaiguri in India.
In 1995, the mortal remains of its founding mothers, Mary Bernadette, Cecilia, Veronica and Mary were brought from the Kokar, Ranchi graveyard to St. Anne’s Mother House, Ranchi premises. In Kurukh tradition, it is called “Kohan Benja” and is believed that spirits of our founding mothers are with us and their guidance and inspiration are felt even today in the lives of the DSA Sisters.
The Silver Jubilee of the Congregation was celebrated on July 26, 1922. When India was celebrating its Independence, the Congregation celebrated its golden jubilee in 1947 and in 1997 the congregation completed its 100 grace-filled years.
The Congregation received the Pontifical Right from His Holiness, John Paul II on April 8, 2020. The Founder, Mother Mary Bernadette Kispotta, was declared “Servant of God” on August 7, 2017 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ranchi.
We pay special homage and tribute to our Foundress and her three companions: Cecilia, Veronica and Mary. We thank God for we experience God’s filial love and care, mercy and faithfulness, since the inception of our Congregation. We are indebted to Archbishop Paul Goethal, SJ, our beloved Loreto Mothers, Ursuline Mothers our formators, Jesuit brethren, all our benefactors and well-wishers of that time and present time. We thank the Lord for nurturing and upholding us through you all by various ways and means. May our Patron St. Anne pray for all of us the chosen instruments of God to continue the mission of Jesus our Lord and Master.