Parishioners of Satgaon at the conclusion of the Jubilee Year 2025.
On December 14, the faithful of Mary Help of Christians, Satgaon solemnly concluded the Jubilee Year 2025 in the parish. The Jubilee Cross, which had been on pilgrimage to all the villages of the parish, was solemnly brought back to the parish from Rongkuroi village, the final village to host the Cross during the past week.
The Cross arrived at the parish at around 9.30 a.m. Parishioners lined up reverently from the main gate to the parish church. Parish leaders took turns receiving the Cross before it was handed over to the Parish Priest, Fr. Albert Thyrniang, who carried it with devotion to the church portico for public veneration.
During a brief programme, two parish leaders shared their testimonies on the spiritual impact of the Jubilee Cross’s pilgrimage across all the villages and the year-long celebration of the Jubilee Year 2025. They highlighted the enthusiastic and widespread participation of the faithful, noting that the pilgrimage strengthened the faith of the people and touched even the lukewarm hearts. The youth of Rongkuroi village further enriched the occasion by presenting a graceful dance performance to the Jubilee theme song, “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Holy Mass was then celebrated by Fr. Albert Thyrniang and concelebrated by Fr. Daniel Sangma. In his homily, Fr. Albert recalled the beginning of the Jubilee celebrations in the parish, particularly the reception of the Jubilee Cross on 9 March 2025. He noted that the Cross was taken in procession to Sorokpara village the following Sunday, as per the pre-scheduled plan. Thereafter, the Jubilee Cross travelled on foot to all 32 villages of the parish, returning to the parish on 14 December.
In every village, the faithful received the Cross with great enthusiasm and venerated it daily for one week. Large numbers of parishioners accompanied the Cross to the next village, singing devotional hymns, reciting the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and offering spontaneous prayers. In many villages, the Cross was also taken from house to house. Altogether, the Cross covered a distance of approximately 50 kilometres across the length and breadth of the compact parish.
Fr. Albert also recalled the parish pilgrimages to the Diphu Cathedral Church, undertaken in three groups: the women (about 400) in March, the men (about 700), and the youth (about 300). He further mentioned that the Jubilee Year was meaningfully celebrated through conventions held in March, May, and July for the respective groups. He concluded by expressing heartfelt gratitude to all for their active involvement in making the Year of Hope spiritually enriching and memorable.
Reflecting on the liturgical readings of the day, the celebrant exhorted the faithful see the needs of others, to offer words of hope to the hopeless, to walk the extra mile in comforting the neglected, and to listen to the cry of the poor.
The conclusion of the Jubilee Year celebrations in the parish ended with the sharing of snacks among the 1000 participating faithful.
News Courtesy: Fr Albert Thyrniang SDB
