Guwahati: Guwahati became the focal point of a historic moment for the Catholic faithful in Northeast India as Bishop Albert Hemrom of the Diocese of Dibrugarh released an Assamese Missal during the ongoing Northeast India Regional Pastoral Conference 2025, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” on September 2. The initiative, announced on the second day of the conference, marks a significant step in making liturgy more accessible and meaningful for the people of Assam, reinforcing the conference’s overarching message of hope.
Highlighting the longstanding need for local-language resources, the Communications Chairman noted that the Catholic Church in the region has been striving to engage the faithful in culturally and linguistically resonant ways. The Assamese Missal, initially prepared by other clergy, was meticulously refined under the leadership of Fr. Timothy Saldanha, in consultation with Assamese language experts and professors, ensuring both accuracy and liturgical richness.
In a move to promote the active use of Assamese in worship, Bishop Hemrom announced that the liturgy will now be celebrated in Assamese twice a month. He urged all priests in Assam to adopt the missal in their liturgical practice, encouraging communities to embrace the faith journey as true “pilgrims of hope.” To make the Missal more accessible, it is being offered at a subsidized price of Rs 500 during the conference, compared to its regular price of Rs 900.
Dibrugarh, established in 1951 after separating from the Diocese of Shillong, is the second Catholic diocese in the region. Bishop Hemrom holds the distinction of being the first local diocesan priest elevated to episcopacy and is the sixth bishop in succession within the diocese. Alongside Dibrugarh, Assam is served by the dioceses of Tezpur, Diphu, Bongaigaon, and the Archdiocese of Guwahati, reflecting a rich ecclesial network across the state.
During the launch ceremony, Bishop Hemrom invited NEIRBC President Archbishop John Moolachira to present the first copy of the Assamese Missal to Emeritus Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, who previously served as Bishop of Dibrugarh. The second copy was presented to Bishop Thomas Pullopillil of Bongaigaon, followed by a presentation to Archbishop Moolachira, symbolizing the collaborative embrace of Assamese liturgy across the region.
This milestone initiative underscores Bishop Hemrom’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and culturally resonant worship experience, ensuring that the spiritual journey of the Assamese faithful is deeply intertwined with their linguistic and cultural heritage. The Assamese Missal stands as a tangible embodiment of the conference theme uniting communities in faith, hope, and local identity as true pilgrims of hope.