St Maria Goretti’s Hostel, Kolasib, Mizoram

Mizoram, ‘The land of the Highlanders’ became the 23rd State of the Indian union when it was conferred Statehood on the 20 February 1987. It was to this high land that an invitation came to Bethany sisters in the year 1962 through the then Internuncio Rt Rev. Dr James R. Knox to assist the Holy Cross Fathers in St John’s High School and to manage the Hostel for girls at Kolasib. The Holy cross Father’s had opened two hostels- St Louis hostel for boys and St Maria Goretti’s Hostel for girls in 1960. When Apostolic Internuncio Rev. Knox went on an apostolic visitation to Kolasib in 1960 he felt that religious sisters could undertake the care of the girls’ hostel, and he conveyed the same to the prefect Apostolic of Half long Msgr George Breen CSC under whose jurisdiction Kolasib was then.

Besides, during his tour he had received several requests to bring sisters to the Mizo hills, in particular to Kolasib. Msgr Breen requested the Internuncio to help him find a Congregation of Women religious who would be willing to start a mission there. So, the Nuncio wrote a lucid letter of appeal to the Mother General of Bethany inviting to start a mission at Kolasib, and Bethany did not disappoint them. Hence Mother Macrina and Sr Verena visited Kolasib in March 1962. Mother Macrina posted a copy of permission letter to Msgr. Breen who promptly give his own formal approval and consent to open a house in prefecture apostolic of Half long. Permission from Holy See was obtained in no time and Sr Misericors, Sr Sylvine, Sr Inviolata and Sr Dolora were sent forth to the Assam Mission. The chosen four set foot on Kolasib soil on 28th June 1962 and took charge of the hostel building behind the church with all the facilities. In June 1964 the sisters and the hostellers moved from the church premises to the present site.

St Maria Goretti’s hostel was founded to cater to the needs of the growing girls and little boys who were studying in St John’s high school in 1960. After a decade, the hostel resumed only girls as their number increased greatly. In those days, it was the only hostel for girls in the whole State. As the years went by, the parents began to realize the value of education, and eventually the number of children seeking for hostel increased for which the new structure was erected. Apart from academic guidance hostellers were given faith formation and leadership training. To promote all round development in thema lot of competitions are held throughout the year in various fields and all religious festivals are kept up. No doubt St Maria Goretti’s hostel has sheltered many batches of girls. We owe our grateful heart to the pioneers and all those sisters who have braved all the odd situations and brought fullness of life to the hostellers.