Twenty-Five Years of Faithful Mission in Myanmar

In a country torn by civil war, our Sisters of the Infant Jesus in Myanmar recently paused to give thanks for twenty-five years of God's faithful presence with them. A jubilee that takes on its full meaning not in fanfare, but where it truly matters: among the children, families, and teachers of a small village, Thilawa.

How does one celebrate a jubilee amid suffering and an ongoing conflict? The answer came, unexpectedly, through the words of Pope Leo XIV during his homily at the Jubilee of the Poor. His reminder that true joy is found among the poor we walk with gave our sisters the direction they needed. Rather than gathering behind closed walls, Sisters Martina, Nini, and Grace chose to celebrate at Thilawa — one of the three communities (alongside Hledan and Nyaulangone) where our congregation has been present since the founding mission in 2001. It was here, at the initial request of then-Bishop Bo of Pathein (now Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon), that Sister Fidelis first planted the seeds of an EJNB presence on Burmese soil.

Seeds That Have Borne Fruit

The day was one of deep, shared gratitude. Parents spoke movingly of how their children had grown and blossomed through the love, attention, and educational support provided by the EJNB community. Teachers gave thanks for being part of a place of sharing — a community where they feel truly welcomed and united in service to the young. The theme chosen for the celebration, "Hope in the Face of Suffering", resonated deeply in the hearts of all present. In a country where millions have been displaced and school infrastructures destroyed by war, these words are not abstract: they are lived, day after day, by our sisters and their lay partners and teachers on the ground.

A special joy was the presence of Maria Swee, one of the founding members of the Community EJNB in Thilawa, who had travelled from Singapore to be part of the gathering. Her presence reconnected the community to its roots and breathed fresh courage for the road ahead.

A Mission Rooted in the Charism of Nicolas Barré

The Eucharist, celebrated by Fr. Lawrence SJ, anchored the day in thanksgiving and contemplation. In his homily, he invited the community to look upon Jesus as he is revealed in the Gospel: close to the suffering, restoring dignity, giving hope. "Jesus does not rush," he reminded those present. "He looks, he touches, he heals." This, he said, is the very heart of missionary life: making people feel that God is walking beside them.

His words to the sisters rang out as a true blessing: "To you, the younger sisters, this jubilee reminds you that you inherit a living mission. To you, the older sisters, it assures you that your prayers, your wisdom, and your perseverance continue to bear fruit. To all of us, it proclaims: God is faithful!"This fidelity is at the heart of our congregation's identity, born in Rouen in 1662 under the inspiration of Blessed Nicolas Barré to bring education and the Good News to the poorest. Today, in Myanmar as elsewhere across our 14 countries of presence, that same spirit animates a mission that refuses to be extinguished — not by poverty, not by war, not by uncertainty.

"Do not be anxious about anything, cast yourself into the arms of God..." — Blessed Nicolas Barré