The Archdiocese of Imphal in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur celebrated its annual Chrism Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on the evening of April 15.
Over 150 priests, 300 Catholic nuns and numerous lay faithful attended it.
The solemn liturgy was presided over by Archbishop Linus Neli and concelebrated by Archbishop Emeritus Dominic Lumon and Vicar General Fr. Varghese Vikram.
Following the Mass, the Manipur Catholic Youth Organization (MCYO) hosted a formal felicitation ceremony, during which all 150 priests were honored with tokens of gratitude for their dedicated service to the Church and the wider community.
In light of ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, a separate Chrism Mass was celebrated for the Kuki-Zo community at St. Mary’s Parish in Tuibuang.
The Eucharistic celebration was led by Lumon and attended by 15 priests and 25 sisters. The Mass served as a spiritual observance and a gesture of unity and hope in challenging times.
Sister Clare led a deeply moving reflection session centered on the theme “Looking Back and Looking Forward,” drawing inspiration from Romans 1:1. Her message encouraged self-awareness and reflection, aligning with the themes of compassion and companionship that permeated the Holy Week Triduum.
She also cited Luke 21:34, warning against the distractions of modern life, such as smartphone overuse and substance abuse, that can hinder spiritual growth. Sister Clare urged the faithful to consciously address these challenges through prayer and discipline.
In his homily, Lumon reflected on the theme of betrayal, focusing on Judas Iscariot’s decision to betray Jesus despite walking closely with Him for three years.
He highlighted the emotional gravity of betrayal and invited the faithful to examine their lives in the light of Holy Week, considering moments when they may have turned away from Christ.
The archbishop also offered a powerful comparison between the spirits of Judas, Peter, and John: while the "spirit of Judas" leads to despair and destruction, the "spirit of Peter" reminds us that even in failure, there is a path to repentance and renewal, and the "spirit of John" represents steadfast love and closeness to Christ.
The Kuki-Zo Catholic Union, a newly formed organization arising from the Manipur crisis, played a key role in organizing the Tuibuang event.
The union expressed its commitment to defending and promoting the Catholic faith within the Kuki-Zo community. As part of the day’s celebrations, the union presented gifts to each priest in honor of their Priesthood Day, fostering unity and appreciation.
Together, the celebrations in Imphal and Tuibuang served as a testament to the resilience, faith, and unity of the Catholic community in Manipur during these difficult times.
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