Media Release

Mangaluru, Apr 25: The congregation of the Ursuline Franciscan sisters held the celebration of perpetual profession on April 22 at St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia. Ten sisters made their perpetual profession and offered themselves totally to the Lord and for His mission.

During the solemn eucharistic celebration officiated by Fr Daniel Veigas, the episcopal vicar for the religious of Mangalore diocese in his homily addressed the sisters who were consecrating themselves to the Lord perpetually through evangelical councils saying, "They are chosen from among the people, called for the people, to serve the people of God and that is the offering that they have to make to the Lord in perpetual profession. Vocation is not our right, it is a grace of God. Therefore, there are three conditions to follow, one is to render service to the church, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom, so to face challenges which can come sometimes to our own life, sometimes to our three vows, inspite of it we need to remain faithful to the Lord and to our vowed life and thus consecrating completely to the Lord."

The sisters were felicitated after the Mass. Sr Milly Fernandes in her felicitation gave an apt message quoting Jn 10:10, 'I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly' and said, "Therefore in order to give life in its fullness need to read the word of God, reflect and integrate it in our very life and trust God completely one who has called us so to make our life more meaningful and fruitful. She congratulated them for their daring step and thanked their parents for sacrificing them for the consecrated life."

Twenty sisters came forward to make their perpetual profession in the Ursuline Franciscan congregation; they belong to Mangaluru, Hubli, north, north east provinces and central delegation.