Media Release
Sancoale, Jun 16: The sacred grounds of the Holy Family Convent, Sancoale, reverberated with gratitude and prayer as the community celebrated its 91st Foundation Anniversary. The milestone was a beautiful blend of deep spiritual reflection, honouring historical roots, and renewing the commitment to a life of shared community and mission.
An Evening of Offering: "In Him We Bear Much Fruit"
The celebrations commenced on the eve of the anniversary with a deeply moving prayer service centered on the theme: "In Him We Bear Much Fruit."
The foundational history of the congregation was beautifully manifested during the service:
• The Source: At the center of it all, Jesus, the true Vine, was brought forward, reminding everyone that apart from Him, no fruit can be borne.
• The Foundation: Four stones were reverently laid in front of the altar, symbolizing the vital role and steadfast faith of the co-founding sisters: Srs. Joana, Edith, Josephine and Nativity
• The Legacy: The enduring presence of the founder was manifested through his photo, lovingly placed alongside a lit lamp—a beautiful reminder of the flame of faith and vision he passed down.
• The Harvest: Visualizing this profound truth, each member of the community brought forward a tangible offering of different fruits. This symbolic gesture represented the rich harvest of the founder's legacy; a legacy built on being deeply rooted in Christ and walking steadfastly in His footsteps.
The Eucharistic Celebration: A Call to Abide
On the morning of June 16th, the feast reached its spiritual peak with the Holy Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Rev. Fr. Rex Fernandes, SFX. In a soul-stirring homily, Fr. Fernandes challenged the congregation to look inward, asking a fundamental question: "How many of us are truly abiding in Jesus? Do I really remain in Him, and why do I want to remain?"
Drawing inspiration from the life of the Founder, who intimately saw and responded to the urgent needs of the people, Fr. Fernandes highlighted three vital pillars for the journey ahead:
• 1. Prayer that Leads to the Will of God: Like Jesus, who spent time in prayer before choosing His disciples—even knowing who would betray Him—the Founder was a man of intense prayer. Fr. Fernandes emphasized that true prayer strips away personal agendas and the worldly desire for individual success. Instead, it breeds love, genuine concern, and a desire to do the will of God through obedience to authority.
• 2. The Sanctity of Community Life: Acknowledging that minds are different, the homily directly addressed the dangers of division. A community marked by hidden enmity can never prosper. True community life requires constant cultivation to remain good, healthy, and united in purpose.
• 3. Becoming a Living Witness: Fr. Fernandes called upon the sisters to be a witness not just to themselves, but to other communities. Challenging the tendency to stay within comfort zones, he noted that the sun shines on everyone, and true holiness does not look down on others. True missionary zeal means reaching out, loving even those who are difficult to love within our own communities, and praying for the grace to live exactly as Jesus showed.
He concluded with an earnest invitation to the sisters to passionately follow in the footsteps of their founder.
Keeping Traditions Alive
Following the Eucharistic celebration, the community gathered to pay homage to the roots of their spiritual family. The garlanding of the Founder’s bust was a solemn moment of honour, followed immediately by a joyful milestone: the official release of the latest issue of Savera magazine, continuing its long-standing tradition of spreading thought-provoking and inspiring messages.
The celebration concluded on a sweet note with the cutting of the festive 91st-anniversary cake.
Throughout the day, the motherhouse witnessed an outpouring of joy and sisterhood as numerous sisters travelled to the headquarters to convey their wishes, keeping the beautiful tradition of family spirit alive and vibrant. Blessed by the past and hopeful for the future, the community steps into its 92nd year, firmly rooted in the Vine.