Guwahati: The life and times of Venerable Bishop Stephen Ferrando, founder of Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, the first indigenous congregation in the Northeast, came alive in an opera performed here on Thursday.

The two-hour opera was a touching presentation through narration, dialogue, music and dances depicting the inspiring life story of Bishop Ferrando, who was missionary and a pastor in the region for 46 years.

He had come to the Northeast in 1923 and took keen interest in learning the language, customs and traditions of the people. He also played the role of Novice Master and Rector for 10 years, said Sister Shiji James of Little Flower School.

The opera was performed by its students on the concluding day of the platinum jubilee programme of the congregation.

On July 9, 1934, Pope Pius XI appointed him as the first Bishop of Krishnanagar in Bengal. A year later, he was transferred to Shillong as its second Bishop and served there for 34 years.

He founded the congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians on October 24, 1942, and established many mission centres and educational institutions in rural areas.

Bishop Ferrando encouraged local vocations, culture and languages, and set up the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, St Paul's Seminary and Nazareth Hospital in Shillong. After his retirement in 1969, he was asked to return to his native place in Italy. He spent his last few years there and died on June 20, 1978. He was buried in his family tomb at Rossiglione, Italy.

His mortal remains were brought back to Shillong and interred at St Margaret's Convent chapel, Shillong, on December 12, 1987. His tomb is visited by hundreds of devotees, she said.

The process for his beatification began in 1997 and Pope Francis declared him Venerable on March 3, 2016, she added. PTI