10th September 2026 was a historic day for the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Anne Ranchi. On this auspicious occasion, the blessing of two newly constructed Shrines were blessed and inaugurated simultaneously at St. Anne’s Mother House, Dr. CamilBulcke Path Ranchi. The programs took place at 4.30 p.m. which included both the blessing and inauguration of new Shrines of St. Anne and Mother Mary Bernadette Kispotta, Servant of God and placement of Sacred remains of four Founding Mothers- Mother Cecilia, Mother Veronica and Mother Mary Kanil. Sr. Ranjita Valeria Minj, DSA,Vice- Postulator was the Master of Ceremony who conducted the programs beautifully. Rev. Sr. Sujata Kujur, DSA, Provincial Superior of Ranchi Province welcomed all the Dignitaries, present Fathers, Sisters, students and other guests. On this memorable day all the Delegates of the 13th General Chapter of the DSA Congregation also were privileged to witness the great event. Ribbon-cutting of both the Shrines was done by both- Very Rev. Sr. Linda Mary Vaughan, DSA, newly elected Superior General and Very Rev. Sr. Lily Grace Topno, DSA, Former Superior General. Then the unveiling of the Shrine plaque “Place of Inspiration” also was done by both- His Grace Vincent Aind, DD, Archbishop of Ranchi Archdiocese and Rt. Rev. Anand David Xalxo, DD, Auxiliary Bishop, Ranchi Archdiocese.
Thereafter, the unveiling of the statue of Mother Mary Bernadette was by His Grace Vincent Aind, DD and Rev. Fr. Francis Minj, SJ, newly appointed Provincial Superior of Ranchi Jesuits. It was followed by the unveiling of the statue of St. Anne by His ExcellencyAnand David Xalxo, DD and Rev. Fr. Theodore Toppo, Episcopal Delegate of the Beatification Process of Mother Bernadette. Then took place the solemn procession and enshrinement of the relics of Mother Mary Bernadette and her three Companions. A brief history of the Shrine was presented by Rev. Sr. Mary PushpaTirkey, DSA, Vice-Postulator.
Thereafter, His Grace Vincent Aind, DD blessed the Shine of Mother Mary Bernadette while Rt. Rev. Bishop Anand David Xalxo, DD blessed the shrine of St. Anne and then both of them blessed the renovated chapel and museum of Mother Bernadette together.
The central part of the event was the enshrinement of the relics of Mother Bernadette, Mother Cecilia, Mother Veronica and Mother MaryKanil, four founding Mothers of the DSA Congregation. Their sacred remains were brought very devotionally in procession from the Museum of Mother Bernadette to the newly built Shrines. The sacred relics of four Pioneer Mothers were carried by the Postulator and three General Councillors of the Former Superior General. They were as follows: Relics of Mother Bernadette- Rev. Sr. Mariam AnupaKujur, DSA, Postulator, relics of Mother Cecilia- Rev. Sr. Mary PushpaTirkey, DSA, Vice-Postulator and first General Councillor, relics of Mother Veronica- Rev. Sr. Jacinta Kerketta, DSA, third General Councillor and relics of Mother Mary Kanil- Rev. Sr. Monica Kujur, DSA, Fourth General Councillor. Having said the prayers by His Grace Vincent Aind, DD, the relics of Mother Bernadette were placed at the new Shrine of Mother Bernadette together by the Archbishop Vincent Aind, DD and Auxiliary Bishop Anand David Xalxo, DD while the relics of other three Pioneer Mothers were placed at the new Shrine of St. Anne by different Officials of Mother Bernadette’s Beatification Process. The sacred relics of Mother Cecilia were enshrined by Rev. Fr. Reginald Furtado, OFM, Cap., Promotor of Justice, relics of Mother Veronica by Rev. Fr. Theodore Toppo, Episcopal Delegate and relics of Mother Mary Kanilby Rev. Fr. Francis Minj, SJ, Convener of Historical Commission. After the enshrinement of the sacred relics of all four Pioneer Mothers, there was homage ceremony by the present dignitaries.
After the concluding prayer, there was handover of the keys of the Shrines of Mother Bernadette and St. Anne. Prior to that Sr. Martha Xalxo, DSA, Central Coordinator of Project Commission gave a brief explanation of the construction works. Then two sets of keys were handed over to Very Rev. Sr. Lily Grace Topno, DSA, Former Superior General by the Contractor- Mr. Nirmal Barlaand then its one set was given by the Former Superior General to His Grace Vincent Aind, DD and its other set to Very Rev. Sr. Linda Mary Vaughan, DSA, Superior General.
Hereafter there was rain, symbolizing the showers of blessings from heaven above. Hence, all went to the refectory of Mother House where three of the builders were thanked and honored by the Former Superior General. At the end there was vote of thanks proposed by the DSA Sisters followed by Agape meal for all present.
Sr. Mariam AnupaKujur, DSA
St. Anne’s Generalate, Loadih