In a vibrant celebration of heritage and faith, the Karen community in Pathein welcomed their National New Year 2765 at dawn on Friday, December 19, uniting cultural pride with Catholic worship at St. Peter’s Cathedral.

The day began at 5:30 a.m. with a meticulously ordered ceremony in the cathedral compound. Clergy, religious, and hundreds of faithful gathered for a twelve-stage program featuring the raising of the Karen flag, the solemn singing of the national anthem in both Pwo and Sgaw Karen languages, and the resonant sounds of the traditional frog drum and buffalo horn.

The ritual included readings on the origin of the Karen New Year and the symbolism of the flag, bridging generations and reinforcing historical memory.

The cultural program concluded with spirited New Year chants before the community moved into the cathedral for the heart of the celebration: a special Mass at 6:30 a.m.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Henry Eikhlein of Pathein Diocese and concelebrated by six priests. In his homily, Bishop Henry connected the survival of Karen culture directly to divine grace. “More than two millennia of history is a miracle,” he stated. “The survival of the Karen language, culture, and traditions until today is purely the grace and goodness of God.”

Acknowledging the challenges of cultural preservation, the bishop made a pastoral appeal for intergenerational teaching. “Even if we are not able to speak, write, read, or fully understand the language,” he urged, “let us at least allow the younger generation to learn.”

The celebration, blending ancient rhythms with liturgical prayer, culminated in a shared traditional meal of sticky rice, strengthening community bonds. The event stood as a powerful public witness to the Karen community’s enduring identity and their hope to carry both faith and culture forward for generations to come.

By RVA Pwo Karen Service