Neotan: A Catholic parish in northeastern India on March 4 conducted special prayers for 16 people who were gunned down in Yemen earlier on that day. The dead included four Missionaries of Charity nuns, one of them Indian.

“It is sad to know what happened to the MC (Missionaries of Charity) nuns. They have sacrificed their life for the love of Christ,” said Dangnai Mossang of the Sacred Heart Parish, Neotan, in Miao diocese.

The diocese covers the eastern parts of Arunachal Pradesh, the state that lies on India’s northeastern extreme.

Mossang, a member of a parish committee, said she joined the prayer program to “express my solidarity with the Church and pray for the nuns and for the missing Salesian priest.”

The parish organized the prayer service as part of the Extraordinary Jubilee Mercy celebrations called by Pope Francis.

The programs included Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, sessions on Jubilee of Mercy, Divine Mercy Chaplets and healing prayers.

A number of people remained at the church from 8 am to 10 pm praying and fasting for God’s Mercy. Several people said the healing and anointing prayer session move them to tears. Many went for confession.

“I thank God that I could participate in a day like this. I feel really blessed today, spending time with the Eucharistic Lord, meditating on the Mercy of God,” said Tuba Mossang, another parishioner.

Miao diocese, which has completed 20 years, is organizing several spiritual works of Mercy during the year. They include pilgrimage to Chris the Light Shrine in Miao, where the Door of Mercy is installed.