The Province of Mary Help of Christians, Shillong was canonically erected on 13 February 1988 with its headquarters at St. Margaret’s Convent, ‘Peachlands’, Shillong. From its inception, the province grew rapidly under the dynamic leadership of Sr. Teresa Varkey, Sr. Mildred Pde, Sr. Christina Mynsong, Sr. Elizabeth Packumala, Sr. Maristella Umdor, Sr. Katherine Joseph and Sr. Mary Concepta Dkhar. For better administration, growth and expansion it was bifurcated in 2017 and Ferrando Province was born with its headquarters at Azara, Guwahati.

Giving primary importance to missionary evangelization, the province undertakes village tour, family visit and catechetical instruction in all its centers. It also carries out the apostolate of education and healing ministry and runs schools, boarding houses, health centers, vocational training centers, rehabilitation center for the drug addicts and HIV/AIDS and supports the domestic workers through the Domestic Workers Movement. The province has over 200 members and 32 centers spread across five dioceses located in the States of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Kerala.

The province is privileged to have its headquarters where the mortal remains of the Congregation’s Founder, Venrable Stephen Ferrando is laid. His most cherished dream was to be buried in the soil of Khasi-Pnar, where he spent most of his life. Fulfilling his wish, his mortal remains was brought from Italy to Shillong on 3 December, 1987 and was interred in St. Margaret’s Convent Chapel on 12 December 1987. Today, hundreds of people visit the tomb and seek his intercession.