The 24th of October 2010 saw the chiming silver bells resounding in the air and filling the atmosphere of Umswai as Auxilium Convent celebrated the Silver Jubilee of its existence.

Myriad colours of joy and exuberance flooded the ambient with a unique symphony of thanksgiving to God for this mission land. A tribute of love and gratitude to the pioneers, who have toiled, sweat over and left no stone unturned for the realization of this mission. A word of appreciation and grateful hearts for the Sisters who have worked hard and for those who offer themselves today to give shape to the noble mission of education at Umswai. All these realities were seen in the eagerness of the Sisters to celebrate God’s wonders and providence. The occasion was aptly marked with the presence of a number of Sisters, representatives of the whole Province and the active collaboration and lively presence of the people from all the villages of Umswai Parish. The presence of Sr. Khonglah Sylvestra, one among the four daring and generous pioneers added joy and happiness to the day’s celebration and took back our minds down the memory lane.

The day’s celebration was a splendid one. The festive atmosphere invited everyone to take an active part and collaboration in it. The day started off with a Morning Prayer with priests, religious and people of Umswai and those coming from other places. The culmination of the day was the Holy Eucharistic Celebration which was solemnized by His Lordship Most Rev. John Moolachira, Bishop of Diphu Diocese and concelebrated by Fr. Quirinus Syiemlieh SDB, Parish Priest and Fr. Roland Halge SDB, Assistant Parish Priest. A meaningful prayer dance of the Karbis accompanied the celebrants to the altar of sacrifice and thanksgiving. In his homily, his Lordship highlighted the active, qualitative and meaningful presence of our Sisters in this part of his Diocese. He expressed his appreciation for all the work done which have brought a new face to the lives of the people. The melodious voices of the boarding boys and girls added colour, symphony and solemnity to the day. The Holy Sacrifice of love was immediately followed by a cultural programme in which the different homogenous cultures were beautifully presented- a sign of unity and love. A group of Sisters from Auxilium Convent, Nongthymmai under the leadership of Sr. Luigina Duia presented a brief and creative life sketch and history of Auxilium Convent, Umswai. At the conclusion of the programme, Sr. Dakyrmen Sohkhlet, a member of the community voiced out the feelings of love, gratitude and appreciation to God and all present for the beautiful, meaningful and successful day. A sumptuous meal was shared as a sign of fraternal love and gratitude for all that has been and yet to be in the life of the mission of Umswai.

After the celebration we dispersed but we never stop thanking God for the gift of this noble mission of Umswai which breathes forth the fragrance of God’s love through the loving service, sacrifices and hard work of our Sisters. Kudos! to Sr. Sylvestra Khonglah, Sr. Mary Edattukaran, Sr. Elizabeth Condpan and Sr. Alphonsa Kurisinkal – the pioneers, who spared no efforts to lay solid foundations to the mission. Our prayerful wishes to Sr. Theodora Lyngdoh, animator and to all the Sisters of Umswai community who continue to keep ablaze the fire of love, keeping alive the “DA MIHI ANIMAS CETERA TOLLE” of Don Bosco!