Pioneer Missionary Leader and First Superior General Mother Mary Rose Thapa Dies at 91

Guwahati, March 23, 2026 — Mother Mary Rose Thapa, the first Superior General of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC) and a pioneering missionary leader in Northeast India, passed away peacefully on March 22 in Guwahati. She was 91.

A revered missionary and spiritual guide, Mother Thapa breathed her last at the MSMHC Provincialate, where she had been residing. She had received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick the previous day. In an official communiqué, the Congregation noted that she “peacefully surrendered her life to the Lord,” prompting an outpouring of gratitude and prayer from the faithful for her decades of devoted service.

Born on March 11, 1935, as Lakshmi Thapa into a Nepali Hindu family, she encountered Christianity as a young woman and embraced the faith with conviction. She was baptised in 1953 by Bishop Stephen Ferrando, the founder of the MSMHC, and went on to make her religious profession on December 8, 1956. Her life thereafter was marked by an unwavering commitment to missionary service.

Mother Thapa was elected the first Superior General of the MSMHC in 1970, a role she held until 1988. During her nearly two decades of leadership, she played a formative role in shaping the identity and mission of the Congregation at a crucial stage in its development. Under her guidance, the Congregation expanded its presence and strengthened its outreach, particularly among rural and tribal communities across Northeast India.

Known for her simplicity, deep prayer life, and missionary zeal, Mother Thapa inspired generations of religious sisters and lay faithful. Her leadership helped consolidate the vision of the MSMHC as a vibrant indigenous congregation committed to evangelisation and service.

Founded on October 24, 1942, in Guwahati by Bishop Stephen Ferrando, the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians is the first indigenous women’s religious congregation of Northeast India. Today, the Congregation has grown significantly, with six provinces across India and mission delegations in Italy and Africa, serving in numerous dioceses and mission centres worldwide.

Sr. Christine Mynsong, currently serving as the eighth Superior General since her election in January 2024, leads the Congregation, which now comprises over 1,400 members from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Condoling her death, Bishop Albert Hemrom of Dibrugarh, Chairman of the North East Social Communication (NESCOM), described Mother Thapa as “a witness to faith, humility, and missionary commitment.” He added that she guided the Congregation with wisdom and dedication, assuring prayers for her eternal repose and expressing solidarity with the MSMHC community.

Mother Mary Rose Thapa’s passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy endures in the vibrant missionary spirit she nurtured. Her life remains a powerful testament to faith, courage, and selfless service, continuing to inspire the Church in Northeast India and beyond.

By Catholic Connect Reporter