The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd celebrated five decades of service to the Magyikwin community on October 4, 2025, with a jubilee Eucharistic celebration led by Bishop Francis Than Htun, Auxiliary Bishop of Yangon Archdiocese.

The event commemorated a half-century of the Sisters’ mission focused on education, spiritual guidance, and the empowerment of vulnerable women and children in the village, part of the Yangon Archdiocese.

The day’s festivities began in the compound of the Sisters’ Convent, where Bishop Francis Than Htun blessed a statue of the congregation’s founder, St. Mary Euphrasia, and a Jubilee candle. A solemn procession then carried the symbols to the Parish Church for the main thanksgiving Mass, which was concelebrated by 15 priests.

In his homily, Bishop Francis Than Htun reflected on the congregation’s legacy, quoting their founder: “Gratitude is the memory of our hearts.” He highlighted a 101-page commemorative book detailing the Sisters’ activities as a testament to that spirit of gratitude and record-keeping.

“All the names of the sisters who have served in the village are well recorded,” the prelate said, proceeding to read each name aloud to honor their contributions. He credited the development of Magyikwin “to a certain level” to the dedicated service of these individuals and their collaborators, emphasizing that true love is “an act of will,” not merely an emotion.

The liturgical celebration was followed by the conferral of acknowledgements to special supporters and donors of the mission. Father Thomas Moe Naing, the current parish priest and a native of Magyikwin, expressed profound thanks to the Sisters for their 50 years of work and formally requested their continued presence in the village.

Looking to the future, Sister Rebecca Kay Thi Oo, Province Leader of the East Asia Province, outlined a strategic shift in the congregation’s role. She confirmed that after 50 years of foundational work, the focus will now move from direct leadership to supportive partnership.

“Within these years, we tried to teach the villagers to be able to stand on their feet. Now there are already educated people who can lead and guide the village community,” Sr. Rebecca stated. “For the spiritual affairs as well as for the development of the village, the villagers will be leading the community, and the sisters will be supporting them at the back.”

In an interview with RVA Sgaw Karen Service, Sr. Rebecca attributed the mission’s success to divine guidance, a core charism of empowerment, and robust community cooperation.

“It is through the leading and guiding of Jesus the Good Shepherd that we can carry out the mission,” she said. “Empowerment of the villagers is our mission. Those who have been empowered by us can empower those whom they encounter in their lives.”

She also noted the active cooperation from villagers of other faiths and crucial support from domestic and international donors.

Sr. Rebecca reaffirmed the congregation’s commitment to its global mission, anchored in the motto, “Every person is valuable in the entire world.” She reiterated their dedication to uplifting the lives of “abandoned women and children who are helpless” and extended an invitation for broader collaboration, stating, “Our mission is the mission of the entire Church.”

The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd was founded by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in France in 1835. Today, it has a global presence with 2,419 sisters in 68 countries.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service