Opera on Venerable Bishop Stephen Ferrando held

The life and times of Venerable Bishop Stephen Ferrando, founder of Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC), which is the first indigenous congregation in North East came alive in an opera performed here yesterday.

The two-hour opera was a touching presentation through narration, dialogue, music and dances depicting the inspiring life story of the Italian bishop, who was missionary and a holy pastor in the North East for 46 years.

Bishop Ferrando had come to North East India in 1923 along with his companions and took keen interest in learning the language, customs and traditions of the people. He also played the role as Novice Master and Rector for 10 years, said Sister Shiji James of Little Flower School.
 

On July 9, 1934, Pope Pius XI appointed him as the first Bishop of Krishnanagar in West Bengal. A year later he was transferred to Shillong as its second Bishop and served there for 34 long years.

In response to the times and needs of the local church, he founded the congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians on October 24, 1942 and established many mission centres and educational institutions in rural areas.

Bishop Ferrando encouraged local vocations, culture and languages, and set up the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, St Paul's Seminary and Nazareth Hospital in Shillong.

After his retirement in 1969, Bishop Ferrando was asked to return to his native place. He spent his last few years there and died on June 20, 1978. He was buried in his family tomb at Rossiglione, Italy.

His mortal remains were brought back to Shillong and interred at St Margaret's Convent chapel, Shillong on December 12, 1987. His tomb became a pilgrimage which is visited by hundreds of devotees, she said.

The process for his beatification began in 1997 and Pope Francis declared him Venerable on March 3, 2016, she added.

The opera, which was performed by students of Little Flower School here in its premises, was held on the concluding day of the platinum jubilee programme of MSMHC.