Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral
The Catholic faithful of Mawkhap in Meghalaya witnessed a deeply significant moment on December 20, 2025, with the blessing of a newly constructed church under Umsning Parish. The celebration drew more than 2,000 faithful and was held in connection with the centenary of Our Lady’s request for the Five First Saturdays Devotion, adding profound spiritual meaning to the occasion.
The blessing ceremony and Holy Mass were conducted under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Pius Shadap, Parish Priest and Episcopal Vicar of Umsning, along with Fr. Edward Sten, Assistant Parish Priest. The event also saw the participation of members of the Seng Kynthei Catholic Cathedral Parish and their Rosary Group from Laitumkhrah, who have supported the Mawkhap community in observing the Five First Saturdays Devotion over the past year.
Situated in a remote and forested region, Mawkhap is one of the farthest pastoral outstations of Umsning Parish. The construction of the new church stands as a testament to the Church’s commitment to accompany and serve Catholic communities living in isolated areas, ensuring that faith and pastoral care reach even the most distant villages.
The church features Marian symbolism inspired by the Fatima message and will serve nearly 1,000 Catholic families across 20 villages, benefiting a population of more than 6,000 people. The construction was supervised by Fr. Edward Sten, whose guidance played a key role in bringing the project to completion.
As a gesture of gratitude, the villagers honoured church leaders during the celebration, and handmade rosaries blessed by Victor Lyngdoh were distributed among the faithful. The blessing of the new church marks a new chapter of faith, unity, and pastoral life for the Mawkhap community, strengthening their spiritual journey and sense of belonging within the wider Church.
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