Fr. David Khin Hmung celebrated his 25th anniversary of priestly ordination with a thanksgiving Mass at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Tanpho Village, Hakha Diocese, on September 23, 2026, drawing around 700 faithful to give thanks for a quarter-century of dedicated service.

Fr. David was ordained to the priesthood on September 23, 2001, in Tanpho. He has served the Diocese of Hakha for 25 years and is the second eldest among his siblings.

The thanksgiving celebration was attended by Msgr. Jerome Hlawn Khawl, seven priests, one deacon, 13 Sisters of St. Thérèse, and around 700 faithful. Tanpho Parish consists of six villages and has approximately 240 Catholic households.

‘A Jubilee of Hope’

In his message, Msgr. Jerome Hlawn Khawl thanked God for giving Fr. David the grace to serve the Church faithfully for 25 years.

“We give thanks to God because Fr. David has been able to serve God faithfully for 25 years. Our gathering here today is also possible through God’s blessing,” Msgr. Jerome said.

He recalled that traveling from Kalay to Tanpho used to take only about one and a half hours. However, due to the current situation, the journey has become more difficult, and they had to travel by rickshaw almost the whole day.

Msgr. Jerome said their arrival in Tanpho was not simply an accident but an opportunity guided by God’s providence. He also recalled seeing a rainbow on the way and understood it as a sign of hope during the Jubilee celebration.

“I believe that this Jubilee is a Jubilee of hope,” he said.

‘My Grace Is Enough for You’

Msgr. Jerome also recalled attending Fr. David’s ordination 25 years ago. He remembered Fr. David saying, “I do not have anything to do with my family.” According to Msgr. Jerome, Fr. David meant that he had completely offered himself to God and dedicated his life to serving Him.

He further reflected on God’s grace in the life and ministry of priests. Referring to St. Paul, he recalled the words of Jesus: “My grace is enough for you.” He said that priests may face many difficulties and challenges in their ministry, but God continues to strengthen and bless those who faithfully serve Him.

“Fr. David may also have faced many difficulties throughout his life and ministry. However, like the words of Jesus, ‘My grace is enough for you,’ he has been able to overcome those difficulties and reach this 25th anniversary of his priesthood,” Msgr. Jerome said.

He encouraged Fr. David to continue serving God faithfully and prayed that he would receive God’s blessing to continue his priestly ministry for many more years.

A Call to Faithful Discipleship

Msgr. Jerome also reminded the faithful that every Christian is called by God in a particular way.

“We should live according to the vocation God has given each of us. We need to live faithfully in the particular vocation to which God has called us,” he said.

Reflecting on Jesus’ call to discipleship, he quoted Jesus’ words: “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

Msgr. Jerome explained that following Christ is not always easy. Christians are called to deny selfish desires and sinful ways and to offer themselves for God and the Church. He encouraged the faithful to work together with their parish priest.

“Christians should work together with their parish priest. The shepherd and the sheep should walk together. Where there is unity, there is safety, strength, and God’s blessing,” he said.

He also reminded the faithful that Christians may sometimes fall while carrying their crosses, but they must rise again and continue their journey.

‘I Never Thought I Would Reach 25 Years’

In his thanksgiving message, Fr. David Khin Hmung expressed his gratitude to all those who attended and helped organize the celebration.

“I am very grateful to all of you who have come to celebrate with me,” he said.

Fr. David chose the words of Mary from Luke 1:46 as the theme of his Jubilee celebration: “My soul magnifies the Lord.”

Reflecting on his 25 years as a priest, Fr. David said that he had experienced many difficulties and never expected that he would reach 25 years of priestly ministry.

“I never thought that I would be able to reach 25 years as a priest. However, now that I have reached this milestone, I want to say that it is entirely through God’s grace and blessing,” he said.

Fr. David emphasized that his 25 years of priestly service were not the result of his own ability or holiness.

“It is not because I am very capable or very holy, nor because I have prayed very much. Rather, it is because of God’s love and my love for the Church. God has saved and sustained me through many difficulties,” he said.

He acknowledged that he had experienced his own weaknesses and failures during his priestly ministry.

“As a priest, I have many sins and weaknesses. Nevertheless, I love God, and I love the Church. Therefore, I want my 25 years of priestly ministry to be a witness to what God has done in my life through His love and mercy,” Fr. David said.

The celebration concluded with thanksgiving and prayers for Fr. David Khin Hmung, asking God to continue to guide and strengthen him in his priestly ministry.

By RVA Falam Service