By C. M. Paul
KALIMPONG, November 14, 2026: The Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny, Province of Northeast India and Nepal, concluded their year-long centenary celebrations on November 14 with a spectacular cultural extravaganza showcasing a century of missionary presence and service in the eastern Himalayan region.
The centenary celebrations, which began on November 15, 2025, commemorated 100 years of the congregation’s presence in the region since 1926.
During the centenary year, eight health camps benefited 1,624 patients, while three blood donation camps collected 215 units of blood. The congregation also provided educational sponsorship to 100 students.
Other initiatives included faculty development programmes for all 23 schools, a workshop for heads of schools in the district and leadership training for student leaders.
The concluding celebrations opened with a solemn thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration presided over by Archbishop Elias Frank of Kolkata, assisted by Bishop Stephen Lepcha of Darjeeling.
Co-adjutor Bishop Edward Barreto of Darjeeling, Bishop Paul Simik of Bagdogra, Bishop Fabian Toppo of Jalpaiguri, Bishop Fulgence Aloysius Tigga of Rajganj, and Jesuit Father Kinley Tshering, the Apostolic Vicar for Bhutan along with delegates from the dioceses of Bongaigaon and Miao, attended the celebration.
Some 80 priests joined the concelebration.
A major highlight was the release of a 600-page history of the province, authored by Sr Dr Magdeline Singh, who has a background in education, research and academic writing.
Divided into three sections and 40 chapters, History of the Province of North East India and Nepal documents the congregation’s contributions to education, healthcare and social development across the eastern Himalayan region over the past 100 years.
“Through this volume, I bring together accounts of the Cluny communities, drawing on historical documents, archival records, community narratives and personal recollections to trace a century of missionary presence and service,” Sr Singh said.
Bishop Stephen Lepcha of Darjeeling-Sikkim praised “the extraordinary dedication of the pioneering sisters, who travelled on horseback to attend childbirth emergencies and provide medical assistance in remote villages.”
The congregation also established programmes for the rehabilitation of child labourers and provided residential care to people living with HIV/AIDS.
The open-air cultural extravaganza on the grounds of St Joseph’s School, Kalimpong, brought colour, music and festive spirit to the centenary celebrations.
Schoolchildren enthralled the gathering with vibrant performances celebrating the congregation’s century-long legacy of faith, service and commitment to society.
In a special gesture of honour and appreciation, numerous civil and religious dignitaries were presented with traditional ceremonial scarves and centenary medallions.
Adding distinctive musical splendour to the occasion, three school bagpipe bands, including one from Nepal, captivated the audience and lent a celebratory touch to the historic milestone.
The congregation’s educational legacy is also reflected in the distinguished alumni of St Joseph’s Convent, Kalimpong, which has educated members of the Bhutanese royal family, including Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, the gyalyum or royal grandmother, and the country’s reigning queen, Ashi Jetsun Pema Wangchuck.
Other notable alumni include Anuradha Koirala, founder of Maiti Nepal, an anti-human trafficking organisation and recipient of the Padma Shri; Ama Jetsun Pema, known for her work for Tibetan children’s welfare; and Surabhi Rai, who topped the Indian Forest Service examination in 2004.
Today, the Province of Northeast India and Nepal comprises 187 sisters serving in 35 communities across West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nepal.
Reflecting on the centenary, provincial superior Sister Eva Anju Lakra said, “Celebrating 100 years is an occasion of profound gratitude to God and an opportunity to honour the generations of missionary sisters whose faith, courage and dedication have shaped our journey.”