More than 360 Missionary Children gathered at St. Columban’s Cathedral in Myitkyina on October 4, 2026, for a Bible Sunday celebration organized by the Missionary Childhood Committee, joined by parents and faithful from across the parish.

The program, held at Thomas Parish Hall, was divided into three parts. In the first part, the children praised the Bible and received blessings from it. The second part was dedicated to the Rosary, prayed in accordance with the Pope’s instruction to Missionary Children to pray for world peace. The third part featured Bible reading competitions and dance performances.

Teacher Rosa Magawng Chyem Hkawn of the Missionary Children’s Leadership Committee said the purpose of the celebration was “to encourage the children to love the Bible, to live by the Bible, to be spiritually strong, and to live by the Word.”

Bishop: ‘You Are the Stars of Leadership’

Bishop John Mung La Sam attended the ceremony and delivered a message of encouragement to the young participants.

“You are now at this time of great expectation, and you are the stars of leadership,” the Bishop said. “At this time, God’s blessings are full in your lives. At this time, the smile you send is the cure for the world, the cure for the sick hearts. Therefore, when we meet people with a smile, we will be the healers of the world.”

The Bishop acknowledged the suffering afflicting the world today, citing conflict, environmental destruction, and war as forces that have affected people’s hearts and minds. He also pointed to human greed as a cause of environmental degradation and global warming.

“You must heal the sick world with your bright hopes and your goals,” he told the children.

He encouraged them to recognize the power of their prayers and words in the lives of those around them.

“When many people around you are suffering, unhappiness, anger, and jealousy, your prayers and smiling words can bring peace to the hearts of those you meet,” he said.

The Bishop concluded by urging the children to seek God’s blessing and to pray earnestly for their hopes and goals.

A Celebration of Word and Community

The Bible reading competition formed the centerpiece of the day’s activities, with children demonstrating their knowledge of Scripture in a spirit of friendly competition. Dance performances added a note of joy to the celebration, which drew participation from children across the parish.

The large turnout—more than 360 Missionary Children, alongside parents and faithful—reflected the strong engagement of families in the parish’s catechetical and missionary formation programs.

The celebration highlighted the diocese’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the faith of its youngest members, encouraging them to root their lives in Scripture and to become witnesses of hope in their families and communities.

By RVA Kachin Jinghpaw Service