From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Hassan

Hassan, Dec 24: The chapel of the Cloistered Carmel Sisters, better known as Carmel Matha Ashram just opposite the St Joseph’s Educational Institutions run by Jesuits in this town, was not just packed to capacity but was overflowing with devotees, family members, friends and acquaintances from different parts of Karnataka and even abroad to greet Sr Mary Naomi of the Holy Eucharist as she celebrated the golden jubilee of her religious profession on Tuesday.

Sr Mary Naomi or Florine Fernandes, eldest daughter among the 10 children, including seven boys, of a devout couple Rosario Dominic Fernandes and Nathalia Fernandes of Holy Cross Church of Kulshekar (Cordel Parish), in Mangaluru, had joined the Apostolic Carmel congregation at Maryhill, Bondel in Mangaluru on May 23, 1962 at the young age of 21 after finishing her BSc in St Agnes College. She did her first profession in 1965 and the final profession on May 23, 1970. Having taught in various schools run by the same congregation in Mangaluru, she also did her B.Ed. from St Ann’s College in Mangaluru and was involved in schools in different capacities at Moodabidri, Modankap, Bantwal, Kemmannu and Kundapura till 1979.

However, Sr Naomi, who turned 73 on May 23 this year, suddenly gave up all the active work in the education ministry and joined the Cloistered Carmel also at Kankanady in Mangaluru on May 1, 1979 and had solemn profession on January 26, 1984. She and a few sisters moved to Hassan as the pioneers to be part of the new adventure in prayerful religious life at the Carmel Matha Ashram on December 14, 1992, where she has been leading a quiet and prayerful life during the last 22 years.

The golden jubilee of their elder sister was meticulously planned by brothers, especially Valerian R Fernandes and his wife Bertha with support from other brothers, sisters, relatives and friends, while Sr Naomi along with her sisters at the Carmel Matha Ashram had the privilege of offering a solemn Eucharistic celebration with Fr Charles Serrao, Provincial Superior of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) of Karnataka-Goa Province, to which this Cloistered Carmel belongs as the main celebrant along with 20 other priests as the concelebrants. What made the occasion even more special for Sr Naomi was the fact that her own cousin and Jesuit priestly Jerry Sequeira had come all the way from Gujarat to break the Word of God during the mass.

Frs George Andrade, Parish Priest, St Anthony's Church, Hassan; Vitus Prabhudas, OFM; Valerian Fernandes, SVD, and other Carmelite, Jesuits and SVD priests and nuns added joy to Sr Naomi with their participation in the Holy Eucharist.

Renewal of the Profession of Religious Vows

The special rite for the golden jubilee during the Eucharist included the handing of the candle at the outset to remember the baptismal consecration, the renewal of the religious vows of the profession after the homily and finally the presentation of the staff symbolizing the Holy Cross of Christ and also a crown of white roses to mark the heavenly crown after the final blessing even as the melodious singing by St Cecilia Choir of St Antony’s Church at Hassan led by young Prajwal with hymns in Konkani, Kannada and English enhancing the beauty of the entire Eucharistic celebration.

Fr Jerry Sequeira, in a touching homily, said it was a happy coincidence that the fifth birth centenary of the foundress of Discalced Carmelites, St Teresa of Jesus is being celebrated by the Carmelite family the world over this year when Sr Naomi is celebrating the golden jubilee of the profession of her religious life, which incidentally coincides with the Year of Consecrated Life being observed by the Universal Catholic Church from November 30, 2014 to February 2, 2016, as declared by Pope Francis.

''I think the life of our cloistered sisters is a real wake up call to all who don’t see anything beyond the material and tangible. Life in Carmel and for that matter any committed life on earth is demanding. Every step that Sr Naomi has climbed, has been offered with love for the Lord, for souls, for the church, for the glory of God. May God grant her the strength and grace to endure everything with love till the end,’’ he said echoing the sentiments of the large number of close family members, friends and acquaintances of the jubilarian sister.

Sr Anne Therese OCD, Prioress of Carmel Matha Ashram, who spoke at the end of the Mass, expressed sentiments of gratitude on behalf of the community to all those who contributed in one way or the other to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Sr Naomi.

Fr Charles Serrao, OCD, felicitated the jubilarian and recalled his close association with this Carmel since its inception in 1992. This was followed by the cutting of the cake and wishing song. The relatives of Sr Naomi gave a power point presentation of the journey of Sr Mary Naomi’s life from the time she joined the religious life till the milestone she has reached today.The entire celebrations culminated by a festal meal offered by the family of Sr Naomi.

Sr Mary Naomi, in her brief message of renewing the profession of her religious vows to her Prioress, Sr Ann Therese of the Immaculate Heart, said: ''With my whole heart, I give myself to this religious institute restored by St Terese, to seek perfect charity in the service of our Mother, the Church, by the grace of the Holy Spirit and the help of the Mother of God, through constant prayer and evangelical self-denial and thus to give eternal glory to the Most Holy Trinity.’’