Zou Catholic Community Celebrates the Final Edition Release of the Zou Missal

Lamka, Manipur, February 3, 2025: The Zou Catholic Literature and Liturgical Committee (ZCLLC) formally released the much-awaited third and final edition of the Zou Missal, Nipi Niteng Mass Siengthou Latna, on Sunday, January 2, 2025 at St. Luke Chapel, Zoveng, Lamka. The unveiling ceremony was attended by members of the Zou Catholic community, ZCLLC officials, Zou Catholic Union officials and distinguished guests. Fr. Mark Aimeng, the principal writer of the Zou Missal, officially unveiled the final edition in the presence of church members and committee representatives.

During the event, ZCLLC General Secretary Dominic Khammeng highlighted the importance of the Missal for the Zou Catholic community. “The need for a Missal in our own dialect has been a long-standing aspiration of our community. After multiple executive meetings, we unanimously entrusted Fr. Mark Aimeng to lead this project, and he has made this book a reality without seeking any monetary compensation from the ZCLLC,” Khammeng stated.

This third and final edition replaces the first and second editions, published in 2011 and 2017 respectively. These earlier versions, though approved by the Archbishop, were found to be limited in content. The latest edition, meticulously prepared by Fr. Aimeng, is a well-organized, comprehensive, and user-friendly Missal, ensuring clarity and ease of use for worshippers.

Expressing gratitude, ZCLLC Treasurer Michael Ginzasuan praised Fr. Mark Aimeng for his dedication and selfless service. “Fr. Mark has single-handedly taken on this mission, bearing all expenses himself, to ensure that our community has a fully equipped Missal for worship,” he remarked.

Fr. Mark Aimeng, the first Catholic priest from the Zou community, has played a key role in the spiritual growth of the Zou Catholic community for several years. Apart from authoring the Missal, he was also the chief translator of the Zou Hymnal Book, which was released in 2023 at St. Thomas Parish, Singngat, in collaboration with ZCLLC. Ordained on December 16, 1983, at St. Joseph’s Parish, Sugnu (which was later destroyed during the Manipur conflict in June 2023), Fr. Aimeng has dedicated over four decades to serving the church. He is the founder and former director of RVA Zo Service, where he served for 26 years before stepping down. Currently, he serves as Associate Pastor at St. Mary’s Parish, Tuibuang.

Despite being a small community of about 5,000 people, the Zou Catholics have successfully translated and published all key religious texts, including the Bible, hymnals, prayer books, and now the final edition of the Missal. Much of this progress is attributed to Fr. Mark Aimeng’s tireless contributions. “Our community owes much to Fr. Mark Aimeng. Without his dedication, we would not have achieved this milestone,” said a community member in attendance.

With this latest edition, the Zou Catholic community takes another significant step in preserving and strengthening their faith in their native dialect, marking a historic moment in their religious and cultural journey.

By Steve Antao with inputs from Tungthang Zo of RVA Zo Service