“In the glorious mission history of Northeast India, one cannot deny the impact of the multifaceted missionary enterprises launched by the MSMHC, be it in the local church or various aspects of life in the society,” said Salesian Father V C Joseph, the main celebrant of the jubilee Mass on October 22.

The priest, who is the rector and principal of Don Bosco School Siliguri, West Bengal, stressed the congregation’s hall mark saying, “Quality education for the poor and downtrodden with a spirit of service and compassion uniquely characterizes the Sisters’ educative mission with a vision to reduce social and economic disparities.”

The congregation was founded on October 24, 1942, during the Second World War by Salesian Bishop Venerable Stephen Ferrando of Shillong.

Spread out in 13 regions in India and abroad, some 1,500 members of the congregation are now engaged in services ranging from faith formation, education and social work. They serve all 15 dioceses of northeastern India.

The congregation today runs 54 educational institutions, 115 parish schools, with 140 hostels both in rural and urban areas.

Today the Sisters render services to children in difficult circumstances, express solidarity with the domestic workers, and care for women victims of drug and alcohol abuse.

Their community development offices are committed to empowerment of rural women through programs such as formation of Self Help Groups, and training in sustainable livelihood initiatives.

At present the congregation reach out to the poor in organizing the domestic workers in 12 cities and preventing human trafficking in 60 villages of Assam tea gardens.

The social wing of the congregation called Central Development Initiatives imparts skill training to prevent human trafficking and promotes safe migration to more than 1,000 boys and girls. 

The Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians – 12th group of the Salesian Family — has its headquarters in Guwahati, Assam. It was founded 20 years after the first batch of Salesian missionaries arrived in Assam.

+ Rector Major interacts with Salesian Family