The feast of Our Lady of Valankanni and Holy Mass for the Care of Creation were celebrated on Sunday, September 6, at Sacred Heart Church, Cawbuk, in Hakha Diocese, drawing one bishop, five priests, seven religious sisters, four catechists, and approximately 250 faithful from the surrounding community.

The parish of Sacred Heart Church in Cawbuk serves two villages in the mountainous region of Chin State.

‘If We Do Not Respond, We Will Perish’

In his homily, Bishop Lucius Hre Kung emphasized the importance of the Church’s celebrations and urged people to respect, protect, and care for God’s creation with urgency.

“Today we celebrate the feast of Valankanni. At the same time, we remember and pray for all of God’s creation,” Bishop Lucius said, stressing that care for creation is not merely an important concern but an urgent one.

“If we do not respond to this emergency, we will perish. We need to refocus on the importance of our environment. If we do not care for it, something terrible can happen anytime and anywhere,” he warned.

The bishop attributed much of the destruction of the environment to humanity’s failure to love and respect God’s creation. He particularly pointed to deforestation and the destruction of trees for short-term economic gain.

“We cut down and destroy the trees that God has given us to sustain and heal our environment, simply for the sake of temporary benefit,” he said.

Stewards of God’s Garden

Bishop Lucius encouraged the faithful to recognize the value of trees and other elements of creation. Older trees, he noted, play an especially important role in producing and retaining water, developing deep roots, and preventing soil erosion.

Reflecting on the Book of Genesis, the bishop cited Genesis 1:31: “God looked at everything that he had made. He saw that it was very good.” He also referred to Genesis 2:15, which describes humanity’s responsibility to cultivate and care for the garden entrusted by God.

He stressed that this responsibility does not permit human beings to exploit creation however they wish, but calls them to become responsible stewards of the world.

Bishop Lucius also connected environmental destruction with human well-being, noting that the rise of many diseases can be linked to humanity’s failure to fulfill its responsibility toward creation.

Mary: Model of Compassion and Care

Turning to the Christian call to love, the bishop reflected on the teachings of St. Paul in the Letter to the Romans. Christians, he said, are called to love one another and to care for and respect every person who bears the image of God.

The bishop then reflected on the role of the Virgin Mary, particularly her relationship with Jesus and her continuing care for Christians. He recalled Jesus’ words from the Cross, when Mary was entrusted with the care of his followers: “Behold your child.”

Bishop Lucius said that Mary’s many apparitions and reported miracles throughout the world can be understood in the light of the responsibility she received from her Son on Calvary—to care for his people.

He described Mary as a woman who responded immediately to God’s Word. After receiving the message from the angel, she went to visit and assist Elizabeth, demonstrating her readiness to serve others.

Our Lady of Health: A Source of Hope

Mary’s words, “All generations will call me blessed,” were also highlighted during the homily. Bishop Lucius noted that blessings can take many forms. While wealth and material prosperity may be considered blessings, he emphasized that good health is also a great blessing. He referred to Mary as Our Lady of Health and a source of hope for those seeking healing.

“The world needs Mary today,” he said.

The bishop noted that devotion to Our Lady of Health has a long history and that many faithful have testified to receiving healing through Mary’s intercession.

Describing Mary as a woman filled with compassion and care, Bishop Lucius encouraged mothers and families to imitate her example.

“Today, our mothers should show the heart of Mary. In our communities and families, we need to care for our neighbors. It is very important that we have the heart of Mary while we are alive,” he said.

He urged the faithful to approach the care of God’s creation with the same loving heart.

A Call to Protect Rivers, Trees, and Mountains

Bishop Lucius also presented Mary as a model of faith, recalling how she remained with Jesus throughout his suffering and journey to Calvary.

He reminded the faithful that although the world may pass away, God’s Word remains forever. He called on the community to pray not only for people who are sick in hospitals but also for the health and protection of rivers, trees, and mountains.

“Just as Mother Mary lived the word, ‘Take care of them,’ we should take care of God’s creation today,” he said.

Parish Priest Expresses Gratitude

At the conclusion of the celebration, parish priest Fr. Dominic Kung Teal expressed his gratitude to the faithful who participated in the feast.

“On behalf of the parish, I would like to express my gratitude to all the faithful who have come to join us in the celebration,” Fr. Dominic Kung Teal said.

The combined celebration of the Valankanni Feast and the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation reflects the growing recognition within the Catholic Church in Myanmar of the connection between Marian devotion, ecological responsibility, and the call to become faithful stewards of God’s creation.

By RVA Falam Service