On a hilltop overlooking the village of Aika in Hakha Diocese, a Marian grotto is slowly taking shape—built not by machinery or outside contractors, but by the hands of local Catholics who carry their own meals to the site and work through rain and sun, driven by faith.

More than a building project, it is a testament to the resilience of a small Catholic community in Chin State, a region where Protestants are the majority. The grotto, named “Our Lady, Guardian of Nature,” is being constructed on Aika Pa hill in the Diocese of Hakha, with the hope of creating a place of pilgrimage and prayer.

Aika Village is a small village about 64 miles south of Hakha, the capital of Chin State. It takes about two miles to reach Aika Pa Hill from the village.

A Vision Inspired by Faith and Nature

In 2021, Bishop Lucius Hre Kung established St. Peter Parish at Siatlai village, appointing Rev. Fr. John Sai Ro Ling as its first parish priest. The Catholics of Aika shared their plan to build a shrine for Mother Mary on Aika Pa hill, and Fr. John welcomed the idea with enthusiasm.

“I became very interested in this idea after reading Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’,” Fr. John explained. “We can think of the voice of nature as the voice of God. When we look at the world today, we see that many people suffer because of natural disasters, and more people are becoming concerned about protecting nature.”

The initiative was inspired by Fr. Paul Thla Kio, former parish priest of Surkhua, who organized annual Marian devotion celebrations. Fr. John envisioned creating a place where Catholics could gather each year to celebrate Marian feasts and deepen their devotion.

From Vision to Foundation

The project took shape during a pastoral visit in May 2021. Accompanied by catechists and elders from Aika village, Fr. John visited Aika Pa hill and was deeply impressed by its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Believing it ideal for prayer and reflection, he proposed building a Marian grotto there.

After the proposal to the village elders, the community willingly agreed. Regular meetings were held with the faithful, while prayers seeking Mary’s intercession accompanied every stage of development.

In 2022, the committee built an 8-by-8-foot foundation. In 2023, they began collecting stones and sand needed for a 40-by-25-foot construction area from the Bawinu River. Construction began in 2024 and is continuing to the present day.

A Community United

Despite the small Catholic population and limited financial resources, the community worked together to bring the project closer to reality. Donations were collected from local parishioners as well as Catholics working overseas. Parish members contributed financially every three months, while sand and stones from the nearby river helped reduce costs. Additional support came from KMSS staff, faithful living in Malaysia and Singapore, and donors who provided a statue of Mother Mary for the grotto.

Local villagers volunteered their labor, bringing their own meals and working tirelessly regardless of weather conditions. Fr. John expressed his gratitude for their dedication, saying he was deeply encouraged by the community’s faith, love for Mother Mary, and willingness to support the project through both prayer and practical service.

A Place of Pilgrimage and Environmental Awareness

The grotto is named “Our Lady, Guardian of Nature” to remind believers that, with Mary’s care and protection, the natural world can be restored and kept in balance. “It also honors Mary as the Holy Mother of God, a title found in the Litany,” Fr. John said.

He hopes the grotto will become a pilgrimage destination where Catholics from different regions can experience Mother Mary’s love, protection, and care. Although initially expected to be completed in 2026, various challenges have delayed the project, and the blessing ceremony is now expected to take place in 2027.

As Chin State is a Protestant-majority state, Fr. John believes the Marian Grotto will also serve as an opportunity for local communities to gain a deeper understanding of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the same time, the project seeks to preserve the natural environment while promoting spiritual reflection and Marian devotion.

By RVA Hakha Chin Service