Ranchi: Sister Lily Grace Topno, the newly elected superior general of the Daughters of St Anne (DSA), attributes her religious vocation to a Belgian Jesuit missionary, who was assassinated during a Hindu-Muslim riot 56 years ago.
“As a small child, I have experienced his missionary zeal and love for the people of God. His ideal life has inspired me to dedicate my life too in the service of the poor,” says Sister Toppo, who on September 6 was chosen to head the 123-year-old congregation.
She hails from the Kutungia parish of Simdega diocese in Jharkhand state where Father Herman Rasschaert was killed by a mob that was trying to attack some Muslims hiding in a mosque.
Sister Topno succeeded Sister Linda Mary Vaughan, who had completed two terms of six years each.
Sister Topno, a Munda tribal, was born on October 31, 1956. She made her first vows on January 6, 1977, and the final vows on March 24, 1983.
She had served as a teacher at St. John’s Middle School, Ranchi. She has done a two-year theology course at Mater Dei, Goa, western India. She was novice mistress of the congregation.
Sister Topno shared with Sister Lalita Roshini Lakra, one her sisters, about her plans for the congregation.
Sister Lily Grace Topno: Though I felt unworthy, I said in my heart to God like Mother Mary: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word.” I realized that the will and plan of God is revealed through the chapter election to lead the flock of God.
What are priorities as the leader of a Congregation founded by a tribal Sister for tribal girls? What are the future plans?
As our founder Mother Mary Bernadette Prasad Kispotta, Servant of God, and her companions gave priority to the service of the poor and downtrodden, my priorities are to help the poor people, especially children and women. For the upliftment of the children and women, certain steps will be taken such as job oriented education, computer and language classes, and sewing classes.
You were the postulator of the canonization cause of your founder. What are you going to do to speed up the process as the superior general? What is the latest status of the cause? What have you done as the postulator?
More attention will be given to the process of canonization and the various commissions formed for this purpose will be encouraged to work out as per requirements. Half of the works at diocesan level is already completed and our target is to conclude the process at diocesan level by 2021. Our founder was declared the Servant of God on August 7, 2016.
As the postulator, along with the internal team for the process of canonization, I have initiated for certain activities to spread the sanctity of Mother Kispotta — seminars on the life and heroic virtues of the founder in schools and villages, particular prayers and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesdays. In the three prayer centers of the congregation, the faithful come and pray for their particular intentions through the intercession of Mother Bernadette. Many have testified that their prayers have answered for spiritual and physical healing and jobs.
Your congregation is 123 years old. What are its major contributions to the Church and society in the past century? What are the plans to celebrate 125th anniversary two years down the line?
In the past century our congregation contributed a lot to the infant Church of Chotanagpur in the four basic areas of apostolate — Evangelization, Education, Healthcare and Social Work. To celebrate 125th anniversary of the congregation’s establishment, we plan to prepare ourselves spiritually and concrete steps shall be taken according to the charism, vision, mission and goal of the Congregation.
What are the congregation’s strength? Do you admit the non-tribals as members? What are some special positive traits of the congregation, being a predominantly tribal order?
The strengths of our congregation are as follows – good vocation, prayer centers, educational institutions, social centers, hospital and dispensaries, nursing schools, old age home and other institutions. Our congregation is open for both tribal and non-tribal candidates. Being a predominantly tribal order, our congregation has certain positive traits, such as God fearing, Christ-centered, simple life style, hardworking, hospitality, ability to adjust in every situation and with every kind of people and so on.
You were born in a parish where a Jesuit missionary was martyred 56 years ego. Does your village honor him or remember his sacrifice? You were just eight years old when it happened. Did the Jesuit’s martyrdom inspire your vocation?
Yes, my village and parish honor him especially on the day of his martyrdom — March 24 — every year. Pilgrimage is arranged on this day at the diocese level. I had heard about the riot between the Hindus and Muslims. As a small child, I have experienced his missionary zeal and love for the people of God. His ideal life has inspired me to dedicate my life too in the service of the poor.