Media Release

Mangaluru, Jul 2: The Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany under the leadership of Sr Carmella, the delegation superior, along with the Bethany sisters from Vatican, Italy, Germany and France had a special audience with Pope Francis on June 30.

This was a unique gift offered to the Sisters on the occasion of the centenary of the congregation. They had also the privilege of participating in the eucharistic sacrifice officiated by the Pope. In addition to his blessings on the Sisters, the Pope also prayed blessings on the Bethany congregation that is celebrating the centenary of its foundation on July 16.

“The moments of conversing with the Pope were really ecstatic,” shared the sisters. The Pope requested the prayers of the sisters for his personal intention. Sr Carmella, the delegation superior of the delegation abroad, Sr Lucy Maria, one of her councillors, and a few sisters from Germany, Italy and the Vatican were represented. The Sisters sang the Bethany anthem and posed for photographs with him. They were glad to offer him mementos and other gifts from India. The Pope blessed the portrait of father founder, Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas, which the Sisters had taken to be blessed. As a token of love, appreciation, gratitude and joy each sister was given a Rosary by the Pope. Fr Hailemikael Beraki Hasho, the rector of the Collegio Ethiopic, where the Bethany sisters are rendering their service made this event possible supported by Sr Maggie, the superior of Bethany community in Vatican.