Kohima Flower Festival evokes ‘Laudato Sì’

In the State of Nagaland, at the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians recently recognised by the Indian federal government as a national pilgrimage centre, an initiative to praise God through the beauty of creation. Bishop Thoppil: ‘We no longer use plastic flowers in our churches. Now with the commitment of women in the cultivation of fresh flowers this message is reaching everyone'.

Kohima (AsiaNews) - In the diocese of Kohima, in the eastern Indian state of Nagaland, the Flower Festival of Mary Help of Christians Cathedral was inaugurated on 30th November on the theme ‘Worshipping the Lord in beauty’. The initiative - which will continue until 8 December - coincides with the 25thHornbill Festival, which every year brings together all the ethnic groups of Nagaland.

The Flower Festival aims to enhance the cathedral, which was recently granted the status of a national pilgrimage centre by the Indian federal government. It provides a range of activities, including flower exhibitions, horticulture learning sessions, and guided tours that provide cultural and spiritual insights into the cathedral and its aesthetics.

Through this event, the organisers also aim to attract visitors, increase local tourism and educate the community on sustainable gardening practices and the importance of preserving nature. ‘We have been planning this event for almost a year,’ Fr Vemedo Kezo, parish priest of Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, tells AsiaNews. ‘Thanks to the enthusiasm of the faithful, we managed to organise it.

The local government's Minister for Women's Resource Development and Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, was the special guest at the festival, described as a celebration of ‘faith, beauty and community’. Kruse emphasised that the initiative not only showcases floral art, but also bears witness to the deep faith in the transformative beauty of God-given nature. Congratulating the recent recognition, he expressed the hope that the cathedral would be enhanced through collaboration between the different departments.

Bishop James Thoppil of Kohima commented to AsiaNews: ‘Since the publication of the encyclical Laudato si’, the diocese has been supporting its implementation in practical life. As a bishop, I asked that we no longer use bouquets made of plastic flowers in the churches and always use natural flowers and encourage organic farming. Since then, the women of the cathedral have taken special care to keep the campus decorated with fresh flowers and plants. The flower show is the culmination of this effort'.