150th Jubilee Celebration Myanmar | Sisters of St. Francis Xavier

150th Jubilee Celebration of foundation of Sisters of St. Francis Xavier in Myanmar (1866-2016)

Gratitude is the memory of the Heart! (St. Mary Euphrasia)

The Sisters of St. Francis Xavier in Myanmar marked 150th year of the foundation of Sisters of St. Francis Xavier in Myanmar on 16th January 2016. The Myanmar foundation is one of the last houses that Mary Euphrasia, the foundress made in 1866. Due to the unstable political situation all the missionaries and local Sisters left the country in 1966/67. Nine local Sisters returned to Myanmar in 1973 and refounded the congregation. Today there are 51 Sisters of St. Francis Xavier, 2 novices and 9 candidates in Myanmar.

: The Jubilee day begins with the morning liturgy at 5.30 AM in the convent.

: The prayer was based on the fruit of the past one whole year of spiritual preparation of the Sisters. Each community came up with a Jubilee symbol which expresses each Sister’s spiritual journey as Sisters of St. Francis Xavier Religious. Grateful remembrance of each missionary who served during 150 years was part of the liturgy.

: The message of Sr. Ellen Kelly, the Congregational Leader is read by Sr. Regina Htoo Htoo, Province Leader. They prayer ended with Sisters beating the gong 150 times opening the auspicious time of Jubilee day.

: After prayer morning everybody proceeded to the Heart of Mary Grotto at left corner of the convent for the blessing of the 150th Jubilee Commemoration Plaque which was attached to the Grotto.

: The thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration was held at 5 pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral of Yangon Archdiocese. His Eminence Charles Cardinal Bo of Yangon Archdiocese led the solemn Mass with four Bishops from Myanmar and one from Thailand, and with about 75 priests from different dioceses and different countries. The presiders and Sisters of St. Francis Xavier entered the Cathedral with a beautiful procession led by a music band playing the Jubilee theme song and our Lady’s song.

: Among those who joined the occasion were the former province leaders, Sr. Juliana Devoy, Sr. Louise Horgan, Sr. Joan Gormley, Sr. Euphrasia Mesomklin and Sr. Michelle Lopez, Sisters of St. Francis Xavier from Macao, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Sisters from the Philippines province, and Sisters and lay partners from Singapore – Malaysia Province. About 1300 people in total participated in the Eucharistic Celebration. At the beginning, a brief history of the Sisters of St. Francis Xavier in Myanmar was read.

: After solemn Mass, everyone was invited to jubilee dinner with entertainment. During the dinner, the Jubilee cake was cut by Sister Regina Htoo Htoo and the former Province Leaders while the music band played the congratulatory song.

: We the Myanmar Sisters of St. Francis Xavier are grateful to our Shepherd God for all the blessings we have received during these 150 years. Our heart gratefully remembers all our Sisters, Lay Mission Partners, Benefactors and friends, both local and overseas who support us and journey with us in many different ways to make this historical moment of Sisters of St. Francis Xavier in Myanmar meaningful and joyful.

: Some of the Sisters of St. Francis Xavier Irish missionaries in Myanmar with a soldier in 1945

: Jubilee symbol