By Stanislaus Alla

New Delhi, July 31, 2023: Run, flee, escape, hide, survive are not the verbs that we often use in our routine conversations. And yet, these were the very verbs that were employed by a group of Catholics from Manipur while sharing their stories.

On the occasion of the feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, on July 31, Delhi-based Vidyajyoti Theological Institute invited them to participate in the festive Eucharist. The invitation was extended primarily to listen to their stories — of pain and grief and of resilience and hop that are now indelibly part of their lives and history.

Going beyond helping the people of Manipur and being in solidarity with them and praying for them, Vidyajyoti decided to have them at the Mass. These specially invited Catholic Kukis in the national capital were overwhelmed by the gesture. Their lives are shattered by what is going on in their homes, to their parents, siblings and dear ones. Their sharing was sincere and spontaneous and it put us all on the path of healing.

Jesuit Father James Kulvi , lecturer of Scriptures, addressing the gathering
Jesuit Father Nirmal Raj, rector of Vidyajyoti, invited them and his confrere Father Raj Kumar, the pincipal, appreciated and thanked them for coming forward to share their stories and the meal. Father Susai Mani, the provincial of the Delhi Jesuits who officiated Mass, summoned the gathering to imbibe the traits of Ignatius, re-imagining a Church and a nation that is permeated by the Gospel values and Constitutional principles.

Cecilia, one of Manipur group, was the first to summon up courage to tell what is going on in her heart. She was in touch with her parents and several others who narrated how fire burned not only their homes but their lives, all that they have imagined and dreamed of. Decades and centuries of learning to coexist and adjust and adapt with those of other communities instantly evaporated.

It is scary when the known becomes ‘the enemy,’ and that you are ‘being hunted.’ Her elderly parents didn’t have a choice except to walk at 3 am in order to survive. Exodus became a lived reality.

Life meant, run, escape, flee, leaving all dear ones and everything, and, without any end in sight.

‘Where are you,’ ‘Why this to us,’ ‘Why have you forsaken us’ were the prayer-pleas, patterned after the Psalmist’s appeals, that kept lots of families and communities together since the early May. In spite of ‘a lot going on,’ Cecilia firmly stated that prayer and rosary gave her strength, the only glimmer of hope in these dark and dreadful days.

Manipur youth at St Ignatius’ feast day Mass in Vidyajyoti, Delhi
Alex Zou, a young man who is preparing to face the competitive exams, was in Manipur during the initial riots and then eventually manged to travel to New Delhi. In spite of the assurance the Army gave him, he was scared that at any moment his vehicle may be ambushed and that he may be eliminated. Death was palpable everywhere in the area, he said.

Being ‘singled out’ was the most frightening thing and to be considered and labelled as an ‘outsider’ hurts deeply, Zou narrated. In those days, ‘They have already reached our area’ sounded more like a death knell. Fire and flames meant more violence and more tears. Amidst all of this, Zou said that prayer was the only weapon that shielded him and the many he knew.

Several others shared, formally and informally, and Ignatius’ feast truly gained a new depth and meaning. In the spirit of synodality, this year Vidyajyoti chose to listen to those who are going through difficult times. As the Catholic faithful prepare to celebrate festivals or the Sunday Eucharist, they could make plans to invite groups of people whose stories -of pain and struggle- could make the celebrations purposeful and meaningful.

(Jesuit Father Stanislaus Alla is a professor moral theology at Vidyajyoti College of Theology.)