Catholic Church in Sikkim Marks Triple Jubilee as a Journey of God’s Grace

The Catholic Church in Sikkim, northeast India, joyfully celebrated a Triple Jubilee on December 7, 2025, at Holy Cross School, Tadong, Gangtok, marking three significant milestones in faith and history.

The occasion commemorated the Golden Jubilee of Sikkim’s Statehood (50 years), the Silver Jubilee of St. Paul the Apostle Church, Tadong (25 years), and the Universal Jubilee Year of the Roman Catholic Church 2025. The celebration, titled “Traya Jayanti Samaroha – Anugraha ko Yatra” (A Journey of God’s Grace), highlighted the threefold jubilee as a shared pilgrimage of gratitude, faith, and hope.

Eucharistic Celebration: A Journey of Grace

The jubilee celebrations began with a solemn Holy Eucharist presided over by Bishop Stephen Lepcha of the Diocese of Darjeeling–Sikkim. The liturgy was an expression of thanksgiving for God’s abundant blessings upon the Church and the people of Sikkim, as well as a prayerful invocation of God’s continued grace.

Special prayers were offered for the state’s long-standing interreligious harmony, acknowledging Sikkim’s identity as a peaceful and inclusive society. During the celebration, the Church renewed its commitment to education, social service, and spiritual accompaniment in the Himalayan region.

In his homily, Bishop Stephen reminded the faithful that the Church’s journey is fundamentally a journey of grace. He encouraged the community to give thanks for the past, live faithfully in the present, and move forward with hope. The Jubilee, he said, should not be seen merely as a celebration of years, but as a renewed call to deepen faith, unity, and mission in today’s context.

Chief Minister Highlights Church’s Contribution

Following the Eucharist, a felicitation programme was held, graced by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang as the chief guest. The Chief Minister unveiled the Jubilee Plaque marking the historic milestones and, together with Bishop Stephen Lepcha and Parish Priest Fr. Yozan David Rai, lit the ceremonial lamps to inaugurate the programme.

In his address, the Chief Minister highlighted the significance of the Triple Jubilee, recognizing the Catholic Church’s valuable contribution to Sikkim’s social, educational, and spiritual development. He noted that the celebration brought together three meaningful milestones: the Silver Jubilee of the Catholic Church in Sikkim, the Universal Jubilee Year 2025, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” and the Golden Jubilee of Sikkim’s statehood.

Reflecting on the core values of faith, love, truth, forgiveness, service, humility, justice, peace, and spiritual discipline, the Chief Minister encouraged everyone to look within, embrace positivity, support one another, and walk closer with God. He also spoke about government initiatives aimed at showcasing Sikkim’s progress at the national level and thanked the organizers for making the celebration meaningful and memorable.

Cultural Expressions of Faith

The jubilee celebration featured vibrant cultural performances, including prayer dances and devotional dances by parish youth and students. A faith-inspired dance drama depicted the growth of the Catholic Church and its mission in Sikkim, drawing warm appreciation from the gathering.

On this auspicious occasion, a Jubilee Souvenir and Journal, titled “Anugraha ko Yatra,” was officially released, documenting the faith journey, history, and contributions of the Catholic community in Sikkim.

Clergy, religious, and lay leaders who have contributed significantly to the growth of the Church were felicitated. Benefactors, catechists, educators, and volunteers were also acknowledged. The programme concluded with testimonies and thanksgiving messages from parish representatives.

A Legacy of Faith and Service

The Catholic Church was first established in Sikkim in 1951, during the Chogyal era, beginning in Pakyong. Today, the Catholic population in the state stands at approximately 6,500, with 20 parishes, eight local priests, and 17 religious sisters from Sikkim. The Church continues its mission through educational institutions, healthcare services, and various social outreach initiatives.

Over the decades, Catholic educational institutions have shaped thousands of students, many of whom now serve Sikkim, as well as neighboring Bhutan and Nepal, in diverse fields such as arts, science, law, public service, and governance, including representation in the State Legislative Assembly.

Reaffirming its mission, the Church declared its commitment as being “for God and Country.” The Catholic community assured the Government of Sikkim of its continued support in fostering unity, discipline, and hope while contributing to the development of the state and the nation.