A solemn thanksgiving mass was celebrated at St. Dominic Savio Church, Kiphire village, in honour of Rev. Sr. M. Daina S. Lumpikhumla, CJ, on February 8. Rev. Sr. Daina Sangtam, CJ, is the first religious nun to be professed from the village, marking a historic milestone 35 years after the inception of the Catholic faith there.
Rev. Fr. Philip Magh, parish priest, was the chief celebrant, concelebrated by Rev. Fr. George Anthony, Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Fr. Satheesh, and Fr. Marius Patton. Sisters from Kathmandu, Sr. Amita CJ and Sr. Divya CJ, also attended. The occasion drew participation from public leaders, village authorities, church boards, youth organizations, catechists, and parishioners from eight villages.
In his homily, Fr. Philip congratulated Sr. Daina for her bold decision to serve as a missionary in Nepal, where Christians are a minority. He likened her courage and obedience to God’s call to Abraham’s faith, and described her as embodying the call to be “salt and light” in the world.
Born in 2004 to Setongli Daneil and Lijungla Rebecca of the Sangtam tribe, Sr. Daina is the sixth of nine siblings. She completed her schooling in Kiphire and higher secondary education in Kohima, before joining candidacy in Nepal, postulancy in Allahabad, and novitiate in Patna. She made her first profession on January 30, 2026, at Assumption Cathedral, Kathmandu.
During the Eucharist, the Catholic Women Association performed an entrance dance in traditional attire, while Sr. Daina and her parents led the offertory procession. Her parents prayed over her, presenting her to God.
The felicitation programme featured songs by the Catholic Youth Movement, words of appreciation by church leaders, and presentations from the community. Sr. Daina expressed gratitude to her parents, educators, parishioners, and organizers for their support. Sr. Amita CJ, representing the Congregation of Jesus, thanked her family for offering their daughter to God’s mission. The celebration concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, benediction by Rev. Fr. Marius Patton, and a common meal shared by all.