The Carmelite Sisters of Charity joyfully celebrated the Bicentenary of the Congregation on 10 October 2026 at St. Anthony Mission Center, Langmili, Diphu. The celebration was a moment of profound gratitude to the Almighty God for the 200 years of the Congregation’s journey of faith, love, and dedicated service, inspired by the life and charism of St. Joaquina de Vedruna, the foundress of the Congregation.
The Holy Eucharist was celebrated at 6:30 p.m., presided over by Most Rev. Paul Mattekatt, Bishop of Diphu. Fathers, Sisters, and other members of the community gathered in prayer and thanksgiving to celebrate this significant milestone in the history of the Congregation.
At the start of the Eucharist, an introduction to the Congregation and its foundress, St. Joaquina de Vedruna, was read, highlighting the history, spirituality, and mission of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna. It helped those present to understand more deeply the vision of Mother Joaquina and the spirit of generous love that has inspired the Congregation’s service to the Church and society for 200 years.
The Bicentenary celebration was not merely a remembrance of 200 years of history but also an invitation to renew the spirit and charism of St. Joaquina de Vedruna. Inspired by her life and the message of the Beatitudes, the Sisters were encouraged to continue their mission with generous love, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the service of God and humanity.
Later, as a continuation of the celebration, we organized various competitions in the school to help students learn about the Congregation and our foundress St. Joaquina de Vedruna. The activities aimed to deepen the students’ knowledge of the Congregation and its long history, spirituality, and mission and to inspire them to follow the values of love, charity, and service.
Three competitions were organized: a Quiz Competition on the Congregation and Mother Joaquina, a Bicentenary Card-Making Competition, and a St. Joaquina’s Quotations Competition.
The Quiz Competition provided students with the opportunity to test and enrich their knowledge of the history, charism, and mission of the Congregation and the life of St. Joaquina de Vedruna. The Bicentenary Card-Making Competition encouraged students to express their creativity through colourful and meaningful cards reflecting the significance of the 200th anniversary of the Congregation. The St. Joaquina’s Quotations Competition helped students become familiar with the inspiring words and teachings of the foundress. Students prepared and presented selected quotations, learning valuable lessons from her life and spirituality.
The students participated enthusiastically in these activities, demonstrating their creativity, knowledge, and interest in the life and mission of Mother Joaquina. The competitions made the Bicentenary meaningful and educational, helping students understand the importance of carrying forward the spirit of St. Joaquina de Vedruna.
