Media release
Mangaluru, Jan 19: The sisters of the apostolic congregation rejoiced greatly and welcomed seven more new members on Thursday, January 18, during the ceremony of first profession held at Presentation Convent, Maryhill, Mangaluru.
The seven young maidens Srs Anvitha Thomas, Priyanka Toppo, Anuja Minj, Agnes Sangma, Riya Pinto, Sharmila and Alphonse Mary offered their lives to God as they pronounced their vows by setting aside the allurements of an attractive world.
The celebration which commenced with the solemn Eucharist boosted their confidence to move on in God’s all sufficing love, as per the Charism bequeathed by the foundress venerable Mother Veronica.
Fr Daniel Veigas OP, the vicar for religious, Mangalore Diocese, in his homily preached on the theme ‘Story of Life’, and helped the newly professed sisters to recall their story of life, and to continue writing it anew henceforth in the apostolic Carmel taking inspiration from Venerable Mother Veronica and walking in the footsteps of their Master Lord Jesus.
Sr Linette A C, the assistant superior general received the vows of the new brides. The choir by the junior novices and the sisters helped in greater devotion and added meaning and life to the Eucharistic sacrifice.
Sr Riya Pinto expressed words of gratitude to the priests, superior general, provincial superiors, sisters and all who walked with them during their period of training.
Further, the celebration continued at Mother Veronica Hall where the young brides and the audience were accorded a graceful welcome by the junior novices. Their felicitation song gave a call to the sisters to shine for Jesus and His kingdom. As the newly professed sisters were introduced to the audiences, their provincial superiors felicitated them with a garland and a memento to the parents.
Sr Linette AC, the assistant superior general congratulated the newly professed sisters and made them aware that they are the specially chosen ones of God and hence to be grateful to God for their choice and to live their call to the full till the end.
Sr Deeksha, provincial superior of Eastern Province and Sr Sujaya, delegation superior of Tamil Nadu spoke to the parents in Hindi and Tamil respectively, thanking them for offering their daughters to the service of the Church through the apostolic Carmel and requested them to continue to support their daughters through prayers and good wishes.
Sr Leela, superior of Maryhill Convent compered the programme.
The celebration came to an end with the newly professed sisters partaking in the fellowship meal with the sisters and their family members.
To view the ceremony click on the link below: