Guwahati: The Congregation of the Sisters of the Cross in Assam observed its Silver jubilee on October 1, the feast day St. Theresa of the Child Jesus and also the silver jubilee of the first profession of Sr. Jacintha Vazhappilli SCC who is presently serving at Assam Don Bosco University ministering to the hostel youth.
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Cross was born at Chavanod, a small village of Savoy, in the Southeast of France in 1838. The situation created by the French revolution (1789-1797) and the Industrialization of Europe (1750-1830) affected very much the socio-economic and political conditions of France and especially the region of Savoy.
The congregation had its humble beginnings due to the efforts of a pious, energetic and devoted person, Claudine Echernier. At the age of 27, she began to gather around her children and young girls to teach them reading, writing and catechism.
Fr. Peter Mermier, a zealous priest and Founder of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, was deeply moved by the poverty and illiteracy that prevailed among the poor in the society and he sought for ways and means to remedy the situation. He envisaged the founding of a new type of religious Congregation which would enable poor young women to live a consecrated life in the midst of the world. Fr Mermier, who found in Claudine Echernier the growing desire to serve God, advised her to continue the service to poor young girls.
The intuition of Fr. Mermier and his apostolic sense enlightened by the Holy Spirit and stimulated by the needs of the times, permitted this nucleus of young girls gathered around Claudine to become the first community of the Sisters of the Cross. Thus was born in extreme poverty and great simplicity a Congregation. Animated by the fervour she communicated, some girls who approached her every Sunday yearned to dedicate themselves totally to God and to the service of His people.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Sr. Deepa Mundadadan SCC, the first delegate superior of Guwahati in North East India at the Eucharistic celebration said, “Great is our Lord, most worthy of all praise and his deeds are beyond measure.”
The day was observed to thank God for the foundation of Guwahati delegation.
The deliberations began with the invitation of Archbishop Emeritus of Guwahati Archdiocese Thomas Menamparambil. Sr. Deepa SCC in her presentation began with the work and life of the Sisters of eight communities. Currently, the province has 18 communities with several vocations from North-East India. The Sisters are engaged in school apostolate, open school, skill development training, awareness programmes, income-generating schemes for livelihood, and various parish apostolates across the orth Eastern States.
In the words of the provincial superior Sr. Annie Varghese SCC, “The completion of 25 years is indeed a major milestone in the life of the Sisters of the Cross. Sr .Jacintha is a dynamic and creative nun. Born at Trichur to Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Rita in the year 1973, she responded to God’s call to be a missionary and has served in Mendipathar, Harmutty, Bijni, and Mariani in parish apostolates and as headmistress”.
Archbishop Emeritus, Thomas Menamparambil, the main celebrant recalled God’s ways and ministries through persons in his homily. He spoke on God’s mission and the many dimensions and the actualisation of these dimensions daily life.
The day was also observed to celebrate the feast day of Sr. Tresa Martin and Sr. lizy Zacharias, two senior and pioneer sisters of the congregation in North East India.