Diocese: Aizawl
Pioneers: Sr Annie D’Souza, Sr Celine Lobo and candidate Esther Tirki
A categorical statement that the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters serving in the State of Mizoram since 1976 have been treasuring a secret wish to own a house for the Province at Silchar would not be considered an exaggeration. The yearning was caused by factors such as six days’ travel to arrive at Silchar from Mangalore (the number of days could increase if one is caught in a mudslide, deluge or rail derailment which was frequent), a single bus commuting from Silchar to Aizawl and a single bus from Aizawl to Serchhip/Chhingchhip/Lunglei only at early hours of a day.... In such circumstances, the Sisters were compelled to seek shelter either at the Bishop’s House or at the convent of the Bethany Sisters at Silchar.
As the number of Sisters in Mizoram as well as their trips to and from Mizoram related to administration increased gradually, it was reasonable that the Sisters managed their own business. Hence St Angela Convent at Silchar came into being on May 23, 2001. Bishop Lumen Monteiro CSC, the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Aizawl, inaugurated and blessed the Convent on May 23, 2001. The main purpose of the Convent has been to be a transit house; however, it has not been restricted to transit alone.
The Sisters placed the house at the service of the neediest. A part of the house was made available to Catholic girls desiring to pursue their graduation studies; they hailed from rural areas. As a person of tremendous concern for the marginalized, Bishop Denzil had dreamt of such an apostolate and had even suggested to the Ursuline Franciscan Provincial Superior of the North-East to take up the venture, during a discussion of the latter with the Bishop regarding their plan to open a convent in Silchar. In the subsequent years, two more floors have been added to the building. Currently it serves as a Regional House, transit house, place for conducting juniorate programme, study house for Sisters and candidates who can obtain access to Silchar Government College and a hostel for girls.
The Sisters are involved in more apostolic activities. Family visits and family prayer, preparing children to receive the sacraments, catechizing, conducting prayer services and praying with people are regular pastoral exercises of the Sisters. Regular family visit has helped in building rapport with people. One Sister is involved in social development apostolate through the Seva Kendra at Silchar, of the Diocese of Aizawl and another Sister renders her service as a teacher in Holy Cross School, Silchar. The presence of the Sisters in St Angela Convent Silchar is a boon to Sisters of other congregations serving in the State of Mizoram. They generously make their services available in booking tickets, making inner-line permits, purchasing materials for construction and accommodating them on their transit.
