Lay Preachers from Dubai Conduct Lenten Retreats in Tongana Parish in Assam

Tongana, Dibrugarh, April 14, 2025 — Mr. Nitheesh Xavier and Mrs. Limcy Thomas, lay preachers based in Dubai, UAE, led a series of Lenten retreats at four sub-stations of Tongana Parish in the Diocese of Dibrugarh from April 5 to 12, 2025. The retreats, held at Selenguri, Rumaigabhru No. 3, Chandpur, and Tezigaon, each spanned two days and included confessions and Holy Mass. The Masses in each substation were led by Fr. William Horo, the parish priest. The retreats aimed to encourage repentance and spiritual renewal during the Lenten season and to prepare the faithful of each sub-station for Holy Week.

Mr. Xavier and Mrs. Thomas are members of Mission Partners in Dubai, a group founded by Mr. Sebastian K. Thomas to support mission works in India. They were accompanied on their visit to Tongana by fellow members of the group, including Justine and Reena, who have been actively involved in Nilmoni Parish within the diocese. The group received a warm welcome upon their arrival at Dibrugarh Airport on April 5, 2025, from Bishop Albert of the Diocese of Dibrugarh, who blessed them. After this, two members travelled to Nilmoni, while the other two proceeded to Tongana.

In addition to their preaching, Mr. Xavier and Mrs. Thomas engaged with the local community through house visits in each substation. Despite their professional commitments in Dubai, they remain dedicated to the mission field. They emphasised the importance of prayer and repentance throughout their sessions in each substation of the parish.

During the retreats in each substation, the couple also sponsored lunch for the participants. Mr. Xavier urged the community, saying, “After fifty years, your substations will become parishes. Educate your sons and daughters and send them to become priests and religious so that they will manage the parishes and the mission.”

On April 13, the couple participated in the Palm Sunday procession and Mass at the parish church before visiting additional local areas, including churches they had previously helped build, such as in Rongpur, Rumaigabhru No. 2, and Kumsong No. 9. Their visits spread joy and spiritual encouragement throughout these communities.

The Lenten mission of Mr. Nitheesh Xavier and Mrs. Limcy Thomas was a remarkable example of collaboration and faith, contributing significantly to the spiritual growth of the parish. As the retreat concluded, the preachers returned to Dubai on April 14, 2025.

Local participants expressed deep appreciation for the retreat. One participant remarked, “If we were to receive such preaching as yours, we would be better Christians by now.”

By Fr. William Horo SDB