The Catholic community of Hakha Diocese gathered in a spirit of thanksgiving and renewal on Sunday, November 23, to mark its Jubilee celebration at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, in Hakha commemorating 33 years of faith and service in Chin State.

The solemn Jubilee Mass, presided over by Bishop Lucius Hre Kung of Hakha, drew a large congregation of clergy, religious, and lay faithful. The celebration was strategically held on the Feast of Christ the King, a detail the bishop wove into the core of his message.

Before the liturgy began, Rev. Fr. Lucas Tha Ling Sum, Chancellor of the Hakha Diocese, provided a historical overview of the diocese’s three-decade journey. He highlighted the dedicated work of three religious congregations—Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition (SJA), Franciscan Sisters of St. Aloysius Gonzaga (FSAG), and Little Way Sisters of St. Theresa (LWST)—in pastoral, educational, and social ministries across the region.

In a tribute to the local church’s backbone, Fr. Lucas singled out the diocese’s 120 catechists, describing them as the “front-line missionaries” who are essential to sustaining parish and mission life. He also noted a key milestone in the diocese’s growth: the separation of Mindat Diocese after 15 years, which marked both a loss and a sign of healthy expansion.

In his homily, Bishop Lucius Hre Kung connected the diocesan Jubilee to the universal feast day. He reminded the faithful that the celebration was not merely a look back at history, but an urgent call to renew their faith in Christ the King.

“The Falam Catholic Church itself bears the name ‘Christ the King’,” the bishop said, “symbolizing that the faithful are citizens of Christ’s Kingdom.” He encouraged the community to actively witness to this identity in their daily lives through unity, service, and steadfast faith.

The jubilant celebration concluded with prayers of gratitude for the diocese’s journey, reaffirming its commitment to serve the Catholic community in Chin State.

By RVA Falam Chin Service