CMC celebrates sainthood of St. Elias Chavara & St. Eupheresia

The Congregation of Mother of Carmel (CMC) celebrated the Sainthood of St. Elias Chavara and St. Eupheresia, who were canonized by Pope Francis on November 24 in Rome, along with the golden jubilee of the arrival of the CMC Sisters to Northeast and golden jubilee of the religious profession of Sr. Bernard and Sr. Rose, two pioneers in the Northeast.
The celebration was presided over by Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, bishop of Kohima, along with many priests, Sisters and people at the Provincial House of the Sisters, 4th Mile, Dimapur.
The celebration began with the candle lighted by Sr. Sibi, Provincial Superior. Sr. Irene Henia, aspirant mistress, accorded the words of welcome, who also gave a short life sketch of the two saints and the arrival of the first five courageous sisters from Kerala on January 28, 1966. Presently, CMC sisters work in four states.
St. Elias Chavara was the founder of the first Indian religious congregation of men, known as the Congregation of Mary Immaculate popularly known as the CMI Fathers. He also found the Congregation of the Mother Carmel, whose member was St. Eupheresia.
Bishop in his homily said, “Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Euphrasia responded with extraordinary creativity to the commandment of love of God and neighbor…their preference for the smallest and poorest was the reflection and measure of their unconditional love of God”. He said St. Elias Chavara dared to think beyond his times and emphasized the need for education, the publication and reading of books, organising the liturgical texts, initiating spiritual exercises, the necessity to preach homilies and retreats, the quest to bring down the caste barriers and above all to lead people to God. He said St. Elias Chavara was rightly called as ‘man of God’ by his contemporaries.
The Bishop also said that the saints are God’s efficacious instrument, adding two sisters who have pioneered the mission in North east were God’s instrument. He said we are now the recipients of a great legacy and tradition that need to be preserved and multiplied. In order to do that, he said we need to make ourselves humble and docile to God’s plan.
The Bishop thanked Sr. Sibi, Provincial superior, and all the sisters of Sanjoe province for the great work of fifty years in Northeast.
The Sisters also presented an audio-visual presentation on the vocation, life and ministry of the two great saints of India.