History of the Organization
India’s Northeast is a rainbow country, extraordinarily diverse, colorful and mysterious. At the time of independence and partition of India, the whole of Brahmaputra valley and the hills beyond was called Assam. The Northeast region was then comprised of Assam and the kingdoms of Manipur and Tripura, now this part of India which is fondly called the “Seven sister states” consists of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya, Recently, the state of Sikkim was added as a ‘Brother’, to the ‘Seven Sisters’ because of its proximity and affinity to the region.
Geographically and radically, this region is situated between the two great traditions of the Indic Asia and the Mongoloid Asia. This geographical-cultural condition of “in-between-ness” is an important factor for the crisis of identity-politically Indian whereas racially and culturally mongoloid. North East is predominantly a tribal area with approximately 300 distinct tribes who speak 400 dialects.
The Christian missionaries began their work in the North East from second half of the 19th century. They began in the relatively backward and remote areas. Though, initially the mission met with very little success, it flourished during the course of the 20th century. Most tribal groups became Christian and many Christian denominations spread their roots among them. Christianity has come to stay here and it continues to grow and bring more people into its fold despite the many obstacles on its path.
We Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit joined in the challenging mission in the year 1995 with our first community in Ambassa in the diocese of Agartala in Tripura state and then extended our presence to the diocese of Diphu and Guwahati in the state of Meghalaya, Mengio in Ittanagar diocese, Khawhai and Zawkhather; Aizol diocese in Mizoram
THE ORIGIN
23 July 1995 – Srs. Mary, Valsina, Pushpa Ekka & Ashrita Dung Dung accompanied by Sr. Therese Regine, then provincial of INE
First house: Ambassa – 1995 Tripura State – with SVD mission.
Became a Region in 2004 – Sr. Berndetta – first Regional Superior. (2004-2010)
Became a Province in 2010 – Sr. Prabha – first Provincial Superior (2010-2016)
SOCIETY OF THE DIVINE WORD (SVD)
On 8th September 1875 he laid the foundations for the “Society of the Divine Word” in Steyl, near the town of Venlo, a society of priests and brothers dedicated to spreading the faith. His mottos was: “ “May the holy triune God live in our hearts and in the hearts of all people!”
Although initially beset by great difficulties, the work grew rapidly. The foundations of a large mission house were laid, he opened an apostolic school to educate prospective missionaries in his spirit, and he established his own printing press to serve the developing apostolate of the press. The modest beginning developed into a religious institute that included priests and lay brothers. In 1879, the first missionaries were already sent to China. That was the beginning of annual mission departures to countries in all continents.
FOUNDER
Arnoldo Janssen
FOUNDER
“A man of vibrant faith and missionary zeal”
St Arnold Janssen was born in Goch in the German Lower Rhineland on November 5, 1837. His parents were simple folks whose religiosity was influenced.
Helena Stollenwerk
CO-FOUNDRESS
“Unconditional surrender to God’s will”
To God the honor, to my Sisters the benefit and to myself the burden”, writes Helena Stollenwerk in her notes; “This is to be my motto and also my earnest goal.
Hendrina Stenmanns
CO-FOUNDRESS
“Both feet on the ground, heart anchored in God!”
Every breath of a Servant of the Holy Spirit is to be –“Veni Sancte Spiritus”. Hendrina Stenmanns, whose longing is to