Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 21: The feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is commemorated as the foundation day of the Congregation of Sisters of Charity of Saints Bartolomea Capitanio and St Vincenza Gerosa.
On this significant day Sr Smitha Machado and Sr Ashwitha Menezes offered themselves totally to the lord through the perpetual profession at Guardian Angel Church, Angelore in the presence of superior general mother Annamaria Vigano’ and her assistants Sr Mary Kuriakose, Sr Maria Monica Moschen and Sr Venita Fernandes, Sr Irene Menezes - the provincial superior, sisters and their dear ones.
Dr Peter Paul Saldanha the Bishop of Mangalore officiated at the eucharist along with Fr William Menezes the parish priest of Angelore and other priests. Encouraging the sisters, Bishop said “like Prophet Isaiah you have pronounced ‘Here I am’. These are the words of hope and promise to the world”. He invited them to light the lamp in the lives of others and to keep it burning.
They pronounced their total commitment in the public, in the hands of superior general who accepted them to the institute family in name of the church. As a sign of their total sharing in the life of christ both received the crucifix from the Bishop after which superior general welcomed them as full pledged members of the family of Sisters of Charity. This solemn celebration was witnessed by their parents, dear ones and sisters of the province and well-wishers.
It was an unforgettable and grace filled event in the lives of two professed sisters, as they were overwhelmed with the gracious presence of the superior general and her assistants. Sr Irene Menezes the provincial superior congratulated the sisters for their undaunted step to serve the lord in this present world of glamour and thanked their parents for supporting them to remain faithful to the lord. She highlighted how the province, institute and the church is counting on their witnessing life. Superior general said “Your ‘yes’ and ‘here I am’ should be renewed day by day in every situation of life to be a sign of Christ’s charity in the world of today”.
Together with the Sisters of Charity the entire assembly witnessed the joy of these 2 young sisters and their determination to belong to the lord and the richness of blessing upon their family and the church.