Blessing and Inauguration of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Mawkhap – Umsning Parish
The Umsning Parish of the Ri Bhoi District, Meghalaya, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Fr. Pius Shadap, Parish Priest and Episcopal Vicar, and Rev. Fr. Edward Sten, Assistant Parish Priest, was blessed with a historic and grace-filled moment through the blessing and inauguration of the new church under the patronage of Our Lady of Fatima at Mawkhap, under the care of Our Lady of Lourdes Zero Point Sub-District. This sacred event was providentially celebrated during the Centenary of Our Lady’s request for the Five First Saturdays Devotion, drawing more than 2,000 faithful from across the region.
The solemn Holy Mass at 10:00 a.m. was presided over by Rev. Fr. Pynshai Lyngdoh, Mission Procurator of the Shillong Archdiocese, and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Edward Sten, following devoutly offered morning prayers and the hoisting of the flag amidst hymns of praise. A special presence was that of the women members of the Cathedral Parish, Laitumkhrah—the Seng Kynthei Catholic Cathedral Parish and their Rosary Group—who, under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Sten, had faithfully accompanied the Mawkhap community throughout the year in observing the Five First Saturdays Devotion, thus spiritually preparing the soil upon which this church now stands. The day concluded with Eucharistic Adoration, as the faithful gave thanks for the new church, its benefactors, and all who laboured in faith and sacrifice to build it.
Nestled within a serene forested landscape, Mawkhap village lies in quiet obscurity, marked by isolation and hardship. With no basic infrastructure, the nearest village—Sohjarang—is over two hours away on foot through difficult terrain. Access is limited to a rough jungle road navigable only by four-wheel-drive vehicles, while monsoons often render the village completely inaccessible as the river rises beyond safe crossing levels. In such challenging circumstances, the erection of this church stands as a luminous sign of hope and God’s abiding presence among His people.
The church itself is a profound catechesis in stone and symbol, deeply rooted in the Message of Fatima. At the very entrance, the portico roof displays a striking statue of Our Lady of Fatima with the three shepherd children, reminding all who enter of Heaven’s choice of the humble and the small as bearers of a universal message of prayer, penance, and reparation. The interior unfolds a rich tapestry of Marian, Trinitarian, and Angelic symbolism, drawing the faithful into the deeper dimensions of Fatima’s call.
Of special significance is the statue of Our Lady of Pontevedra, only the second of its kind in India. It commemorates the apparition of 10 December 1925, when Our Lady appeared to Sr. Lucia with the Child Jesus, revealing Her Immaculate Heart encircled by thorns and asking for the Five First Saturdays Devotion as a means of consolation, reparation, and salvation of souls. This moment completes and deepens the original Fatima apparitions, making visible the maternal urgency of Mary’s appeal.
Behind the tabernacle stands a powerful painting depicting the Last Vision at Tuy, Spain, on 13 June 1929, where Sr. Lucia was granted a mystical vision of the Holy Trinity, with Our Lady presenting Her Immaculate Heart and asking for the Consecration of Russia. This image situates the church firmly within the full arc of the Fatima message—from preparation, to request, to prophetic fulfillment—placing the faithful within that same call to prayer and sacrifice for the salvation of the world.
Further enriching this sacred narrative, the pulpit bears an image of the Angel of Peace holding the Sacred Host, recalling the angelic apparitions of 1916 that prepared the shepherd children for Our Lady’s visits. This Eucharistic symbolism highlights the centrality of reverence, reparation, and love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament—pillars of the Fatima message.
The construction of this church was made possible through the personal dedication and meticulous oversight of Rev. Fr. Edward Sten, who ensured that every detail reflected the spiritual and theological depth of Fatima. The church is expected to serve nearly 20 villages, reaching close to 1,000 Catholic families and a population of over 6,000 people.
As a gesture of gratitude, the faithful of Mawkhap presented traditional shawls and mementos of Our Lady of Pontevedra to church and community leaders. The Seng Kynthei Catholic Cathedral Parish Rosary Group distributed handmade rosaries—lovingly crafted and specially blessed by Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh of Shillong—to every attendee, allowing each family to carry home both a tangible keepsake and a paternal blessing from this historic day.
The blessing of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima stands as a living testimony to faith, perseverance, and Marian devotion. Long after sunset, the village rejoiced in song and dance, praising God for His abundant blessings and marking the dawn of a new chapter of spiritual renewal for the entire region.
The World Apostolate of Fatima – Indian National Centre, Goa, is grateful to have supported this grace-filled initiative through the acquisition of the Statue of Our Lady of Pontevedra, affirming that the Message of Fatima continues to live and grow in faith-filled communities.
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