More than 3500 Catholics Celebrate Holy Cross Feast in Nagaland, 361 Receive Sacraments

More than 3,500 Catholics gathered at Holy Cross Parish in Dimapur, in India's northeastern state of Nagaland, on October 11 to celebrate the parish feast, with 181 candidates receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation and 180 receiving their First Holy Communion.

Bishop James Thoppil of the Diocese of Kohima presided over the Eucharistic celebration, attended by parishioners, families, priests, religious sisters, seminarians and lay faithful from different communities.

About 30 priests and 70 religious sisters from various congregations and institutions associated with the parish participated in the celebration.

The gathering brought together Catholics from different ethnic and linguistic communities, including Nagas, Garos, Adivasis, Malayalis and Tamils.

“It was a faith celebration where different tribes and races came together to express and witness their faith, unity and collaboration. It also witnessed the growing number of the faithful,” said Sr. Ruokuoleü Rita of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC).

In his homily, Bishop Thoppil described the Holy Cross as the supreme sign of Christ's love, sacrifice and redemption. He called on the faithful to practice forgiveness, humility and service, even amid suffering and hardship.

Addressing the candidates receiving the sacraments, the bishop encouraged those receiving Confirmation to remain steadfast in their faith and those receiving First Holy Communion to deepen their relationship with Christ.

He urged all the candidates to become witnesses to the Gospel through their daily lives and called on the parish community to promote unity, compassion and peace in society.

An entrance dance added a cultural dimension to the celebration, reflecting the participation of the diverse communities represented at the parish.

Following the Mass, the faithful took part in a Eucharistic procession from Holy Cross Parish to City Tower Junction in Dimapur, from 11:15 a.m. to noon, carrying their celebration of faith into the public streets.

The annual parish feast brought together Catholics across generations for prayer, the celebration of the sacraments and fellowship, highlighting the role of parish communities in nurturing young people's faith and strengthening unity among diverse communities in northeastern India.