Divine Spirit Province (INN)

India’s Northeast is a rainbow country, extraordinarily diverse, colorful and mysterious. At the time of independence and partition of India, the whole of Brahmaputra valley and the hills beyond was called Assam. The Northeast region was then comprised of Assam and the kingdoms of Manipur and Tripura, now this part of India which is fondly called the “Seven sister states” consists of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya, Recently, the state of Sikkim was added as a ‘Brother’, to the ‘Seven Sisters’ because of its proximity and affinity to the region. Geographically and radically, this region is situated between the two great traditions of the Indic Asia and the Mongoloid Asia. 

This geographical-cultural condition of “in-between-ness” is an important factor for the crisis of identity-politically Indian whereas racially and culturally mongoloid. North East is predominantly a tribal area with approximately 300 distinct tribes who speak 400 dialects. The Christian missionaries began their work in the North East from second half of the 19th century. They began in the relatively backward and remote areas. Though, initially the mission met with very little success, it flourished during the course of the 20th century. Most tribal groups became Christian and many Christian denominations spread their roots among them. Christianity has come to stay here and it continues to grow and bring more people into its fold despite the many obstacles on its path. The India North East Province also known as Divine Spirit Province (INN) of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) traces its beginnings to the India East Province, which discerned the call to extend its mission to the North East region of India. In response to this discernment, the India East Province sent Sr. Mary Palatti, Sr. Valsina Enthunkal, Sr. Pushpa Ekka, and Sr. Ashrita Dung Dung as pioneer missionaries to Tripura. On 21 July 1995, the first SSpS community in the North East was established in Ambassa, Tripura, under the leadership of the then Provincial, Sr. Therese Regine of India East province, in collaboration with the SVD mission in Ambassa. 

This foundation marked the beginning of the SSpS presence in the North East and laid the groundwork for a growing missionary journey that would later take shape as the India North East Province, responding to the pastoral and social needs of the region through Spirit-led service. Each of the four pioneering sisters played a vital role in shaping the foundation: The community in Tripura community was formed naming the convent as Helena Sadan one of the Co- foundress of SSpS Congregation. Sr. Mary Palatti served as the first community leader of Helena Sadan Sr. Valsina Enthunkal offered her service as a nurse, bringing compassionate care to the local community. Srs. Pushpa Ekka and Ashrita Dung Dung began their ministry as teachers in the school started by the SVDs in the same year in Ambassa. With steady growth and commitment to mission, the SSpS presence in the region was officially raised to the status of a Region in 2004, with Sr. Bernadetta Paatathuparambil as the first Regional Superior (2004–2010). In 2010, it was elevated to a Province, and Sr. Prabha George was appointed the first Provincial Superior (2010–2016). Since then, the province has steadily grown in number and outreach.