Nestled in the rolling hills of the Mindat Diocese within Kitha Parish, M’kui village came alive with faith and festivity on September 28-30, 2026, as the community celebrated the Feast Day of St. Michael Catholic Church with a visit from Local Ordinary Bishop Augustine Thang Zawm Hung.

Home to just 50 Catholic households, the entire village shares a single faith community. Though M’kui currently lacks a resident parish priest, it is blessed with a rich spiritual legacy—having produced five native priests. The faithful remain remarkably active, driving parish life forward with unwavering zeal and deep communal solidarity.

A Heartfelt Welcome

The highlight of this year’s patronal celebrations was the visit of Bishop Augustine, who accepted the village’s invitation to lead the solemn festivities. Arriving on the eve of the feast, September 28, at 3:00 p.m. alongside a guest priest and religious sister, the Bishop was greeted at the village boundary with great joy.

Local parishioners and native priests warmly received the delegation with traditional cultural dances, escorting them to St. Michael Catholic Church. Inside the sanctuary, the celebration opened with songs of welcome, formal addresses of honor, and ceremonial gift offerings. Bishop Augustine and the visiting clergy expressed their deep gratitude and imparted pastoral blessings upon the gathered community.

The Sacred Liturgy and Homily

On the morning of September 29 at 9:30 a.m., the faithful gathered for the Feast Day Mass presided over by Bishop Augustine. In his homily, the Bishop focused on the Archangels—St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael—explaining the spiritual meaning behind their names and their celestial missions.

He urged the congregation to imitate the Archangels’ virtues and to steadfastly seek their heavenly protection, particularly during times of hardship and crisis. The Bishop’s words resonated deeply with a community that has faced its share of challenges in recent years, reminding them that they are never alone in their struggles.

At the conclusion of the liturgy, the community presented gifts of appreciation to Bishop Augustine, the concelebrating priests, and the religious sister.

Celebration Through Song and Cultural Dance

Following the sacred service, festivities resumed at noon with a dynamic cultural program organized in honor of the visiting prelate. Village children and youth performed traditional dances, showcasing their heritage and dedication to the Church.

The performances reflected the vibrant cultural identity of the M’kui community, where faith and tradition are deeply intertwined. Elders watched with pride as the younger generation took center stage, carrying forward the legacy of devotion that has defined the village for generations.

The celebrations concluded around 4:00 p.m. in an atmosphere of joy and thanksgiving, with the sounds of laughter and conversation filling the village.

A Lasting Spiritual Impact

After resting in the village overnight, Bishop Augustine and his team departed on September 30 at 9:00 a.m. The pastoral visit served as a powerful source of encouragement for the people of M’kui village, renewing their spirit and successfully concluding a memorable mission under God’s grace.

For a small community of just 50 households, the visit of their Bishop was more than an honor—it was an affirmation of their place within the wider Church. Despite their remote location and the absence of a resident priest, the faithful of M’kui continue to live out their vocation with remarkable dedication, supported by the five native priests who have emerged from their midst.

The Feast Day celebration reminded them that, in God’s eyes, no community is too small and no act of faith goes unnoticed.

By RVA K’Cho Service