The Catholic Church in Mizoram, northeast India, celebrated a historic milestone on November 30, marking 100 years of the Catholic Church’s presence in the state. The grand centenary celebration took place at the Bishop’s House compound in Ramthar Veng, Aizawl, the state capital, bringing together thousands of faithful from across Mizoram and neighbouring states.
A Celebration of Faith and Unity
The solemn Mass was presided over by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, with 10 bishops and around 80 priests concelebrating. Nearly 4,000 lay faithful attended, witnessing a day filled with prayer, reflection, and joy.
In his address, Archbishop Girelli highlighted the importance of unity in faith: “The Catholics in Mizoram, being with the different denominations, are all called to be united in faith, love, and charity.”
Bishop Stephen Rotluanga, CSC, of Aizawl, whose diocese comprises the entire state of Mizoram and some neighbouring areas of Assam, reminded the faithful of the responsibility passed down from the pioneers: “Our pioneers have sown the seeds, so we are called to carry forward the faith to all with our living witness.”
A Year of Festivities and Reflection
The centenary celebrations were not limited to a single day. Throughout the year 2025, numerous competitions were held, celebrating faith and culture: dance, drawing, photography, singing, video clips, essay writing, and lyrics writing. In addition, 24 memorial stones were erected in each parish in the state. Lay faithful were encouraged to make pilgrimages to the cathedral to receive indulgences during the centenary year.
The Centenary Gong and Pilgrimage
A distinctive feature of the concluding celebrations, spanning three days from November 28 to 30, was the “Centenary Gong”, rung 100 times to mark the occasion. Lay representatives from all 24 parishes in Mizoram (the diocese has 32 parishes, including eight in Assam) sounded the gong on the first day, followed by catechists and various commissions on the second day. On the final day, the Nuncio, bishops, priests, and religious rang the bell together, symbolizing unity and continuity of faith.
Honouring the Legacy
The grandchildren of the five pioneering lay Catholics were honoured on the final day, a gesture connecting the first generation of believers with the present. Choirs from different Christian denominations joined the Catholic choirs, enriching the music ministry with the Mizo people’s renowned singing talent.
The Church in Mizoram Today
The centenary of the Catholic Church in Mizoram stands as proof of how the God can achieve great results from small beginnings. Mizoram’s Catholic population today numbers 20,330 faithful. Though a minority, the Church continues to thrive through education, social outreach, and active lay participation. The state has also been a fertile ground for religious vocations, having produced so far 45 Mizo priests, 8 brothers, and 136 sisters.
Reflecting on the centenary, a local catechist said: “This celebration is not only a remembrance of the past but also an inspiration to live and proclaim the Catholic faith in our daily lives.”
And that is a mandate the Church in Mizoram must continue to fulfill, moving forward.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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