SHILLONG: The RNDM Sisters of India North East, who arrived in Khasi-Jaintia Hills during the First World War in 1915, is celebrating its Centennial this year. The inaugural ceremony of the centenary celebrations was held at St Mary’s Higher Secondary School on Friday.
The RDNM French Sisters travelled from Chittagong to Shillong during the First World War (1914-1918) after the German Salvatorians Sister decided to leave Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills after the war broke out.
While recalling the wonderful journey of the RNDM French Sisters, Sister Xavier Chirayil said that the RNDM French Sisters who had then just started their mission in East Bengal got a call to take over the mission which was started by the German Salvatorians Sister.
“The German Salvatorians Sister who landed up in the Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills in 1913 was asked to leave for their country within two years after they started their mission. The main reason for their return is because this place was being ruled by the British Empire during that period. We all know that the German and the British were fighting against each other during the First World War,” Sister Xavier recalled while talking to a group of newsmen on the sideline inaugural ceremony of the centenary celebrations.
“Despite having the problem of funds constraints, the RNDMs started to generate their income by selling their agricultural produce and other activities so as to generate funds to promote and uplift of education in Khasi-Jaintia Hills region,” Sister Xavier said.
“Among the few prominent institutions which were set up by the RNDMs Sister include St Mary’s Higher Secondary, St Mary’s College and St Joseph Higher Secondary School, Jaiaw which was set up in 1940,” Sister Xavier said. She also said that the RNDM Sister at present is looking after the education of the orphans and the underprivileged children especially those hailing from the rural areas.
On the occasion of the inauguration of the centenary celebrations, the statue of Venegerated Foundress, Eupharasie Barbier was unveiled at the St Mary’s Convent.
It may be mentioned that the RNDM Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions was founded by a French woman Euphrasie Barbier in 1861.
Born on January 4, 1829 in Caen, France, Barbier was brought up from her earliest years in a family where human and Christian values were the only wealth that really mattered.
