The Venerable Vendrame had a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was zealous in spreading this devotion amongst the Khasi-Jaintia people of Meghalaya. His desire was to erect a shrine dedicated to the Sacred Heart, where the faithful could go to pay homage to the merciful heart of Christ.

This dream came true in 1934, when he began construction of the shrine on the campus of Sacred Heart College in Mawlai. The building was completed in 1935 and solemnly blessed by Bishop Louis Mathias – himself another renowned Salesian pioneer in North-East India – on Easter Day of that year. Since then, the tradition has been kept alive, giving rise to the annual pilgrimage to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Mawlai.

As every year, in 2026 too a large crowd of the faithful took part in the procession, setting out from the various parishes of the Archdiocese towards the shrine. This year, the pilgrimage took place on 14 June and the celebration was presided over by the Archbishop of Shillong, Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh. Mass was celebrated at 10.00 am, followed by Eucharistic adoration inside the shrine, led by various groups of the faithful and religious communities.

In the afternoon, at 2.00 pm, public adoration began, concluding at 4.30 pm with a solemn blessing. Groups of the faithful paid their respects to the mortal remains of the Venerable Vendrame, which are enshrined at the rear of the sanctuary; numerous people were seen praying devoutly before the tomb, and many kissed the sacred tomb.

The Church can never forget nor underestimate the great contribution made by this illustrious missionary. If devotion to the Sacred Heart has become so popular and widespread in the three dioceses of Shillong, Nongstoin and Jowai, the credit goes to this great son of the Church. This can be regarded as his living miracle, as many souls are drawn to Christ through this popular devotion which he initiated.

“We hope and pray that we will soon see this beloved son of the Church counted amongst the saints in the liturgical calendar. Venerable Costantino Vendrame, pray for the Church of north-eastern India,” concludes Fr Barnes Mawrie, SDB, of the Vendrame Institute in Mawpdang.