Dimapur, Dec. 8: Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) sisters and Missionaries of Mary Immaculate (MMI) sathers celebrated the feast of their Patroness, Mary Immaculate, on December 8, atthe newly established St. Joseph University, Dimapurcmapus.
Fr. Ashok, IMM presented a brief history of DMI Sisters and MMI Fathers. Rev. He said Fr. J. E. Arulraj founded the congregation of the DMI sisters in 1984 in Tamil Nadu and then founded the congregation of MMI fathers in 2000. He informed that in 32 years DMI sisters numbered to 450 while MMI fathers have 200 members in 16 years. Both Congregations jointly run seven engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu. They have three universities in the African continent – one each in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. In January 2017, 33 deacons will be ordained priests for the MMI congregation. The celebration of Holy Eucharist was presided over by Fr. George Punnoli, financial administrator of the diocese of Kohima, while 19 other priests concelebrated with him. Fr. ChackoKarinthayil, Rector of Good Shepherd Seminary and one of the diocesan consulters, preached the homily; Fr. Francis, superior of MMI fathers, extended welcome note, while Fr. Justine of MMI, introduced the feast of Immaculate Conception and Anthony DMI, superior of DMI sisters proposed vote of thanks.
Over 25 sisters from various religious congregations in and around Dimapur andbelievers participated in the Eucharist. Others present for the occasion included Thomas Kikon, retired deputy director of Geology and Mining and current chairman of the Lotha Community in Dimapur; Augustine Lotha, assistant director of District Planning, Dimapur; Fr. C. P. Anto, director of Peace Channel & Principal, MSW College, Dimapur; vice Chairman of the village, council members and other invitees.
Popular devotion to Mary Immaculate existed in the Eastern Churches from the 7th century AD and spread to the West in the 9th century. On Dec 8, 1854, through the papal bull ineffabilis Deus, Pope Pius IX declared, “The Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved, in the first instant of her conception, from all stain of original sin.” Thus the observance of the feast of the Immaculate Conception became universal.
