Relic of Pope Saint John Paul-II reaches Kohima

KOHIMA — The much awaited relic of Pope Saint John Paul-II arrived in Kohima on Tuesday as scores of faithful came forward to pray and seek divine blessings while venerating the holy saint by touching the reliquary in which the relic was kept.  

Believers congregated at Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, Kohima, in the morning followed with at Christ King Church in Kohima village in the afternoon and St. Francis de Sales Parish Kohima town in the evening during which the veneration of the saint was observed in the three churches.

A 26-year-old Arun Glory, member of Jesus Youth, who is taking the relic to Catholic churches across different states of the country, informed that the second edition of Jesus Youth National Conference named “Jaago” would be held from October 21 to the 24th at Christ University in Bengaluru.

It was informed that the conference would bring together 15000 members from all over India comprising youth, young couples, teens, kids, priests, religious nuns and seminarians.

Interacting with Eastern Mirror, Glory informed that the last national conference was held in 2005 and added that the forthcoming conference would be held after a gap of 17 years.

Glory apprised that he first arrived with the relic in Arunachal Pradesh followed with Assam before arriving in Nagaland on April 23 at Holy Cross Church in Dimapur and later to Newman Pastoral Centre in Chümoukedima.

After visiting Carmel Parish, Chümoukedima, and St. Paul Parish, Wokha, on April 24, Glory along with Jesus youth members reached the churches in Kohima on Tuesday.

It was informed that after taking the relic to Mary Help of Christian Parish and St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous) on Wednesday in Jakhama, they would proceed to Maram in Manipur.

After visiting the entire Northeastern states by May first week, Glory informed that they would proceed to the rest of the other country with the relic. 

During the solemn gathering at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Kohima earlier, Rev. Fr. Alex Gwatilo Tep, assistant priest of the church, said that although God is a spirit, He made use of the matter and accordingly humans need to feel, touch or taste it.

The priest cited instances how Jesus used mud to cure a blind man and how a bleeding woman got healed after touching His cloak.

He also reminded how a lady with Parkinson’s disease and a mother with brain sickness got cured while praying for the intercession of the Pope Saint John Paul-II.

Also read: Relic of Pope Saint John Paul-II arrives in Nagaland