Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 13: It was an auspicious and grace filled day for the Sisters of Charity on October 12, Mangalore province as it marked the joint celebration of 25 and 50 years of consecrated life of 15 sisters. As the day was dedicated to make a jubilee of joy for the faithful love, steadfastness and mercy that God has manifested in the life of these sisters, it gave colorful mood to count his numerous graces through whose divine intervention our sisters became the icon of God’s tenderness in the world.
The province felt elated as Sr Gratia D’Souza, Sr Maria Flora D’Souza, Sr Annie James, Sr Josemary Joseph, Sr Francisca Menezes, Sr Gracy Rodrigues, Sr Maria Irene Saldanha, Sr Marceline Veigas, Sr Marie Therese Viegas praised God for their 50 years of commitment to God and Sr Dhanya Devasia, Sr Thelma D’Paula, Sr Christella Fernandes, Sr Lavina Janette Mascarenhas, Sr Deepa Peter, Sr Soumya Souza exalted him for their 25 years of love, pronouncing again to dedicate their life with the same zeal of their first love.
During the eucharistic celebration Fr Daniel Veigas OP, the vicar for religious, recognizing the mighty hand of God who enabled to reach the Jubilarians to a significant milestone in life said, “If the Sun does not shine and illumine the world, it will be in darkness. Since the sun shines, the world is bright and the nature becomes colorful. So too it is Christ who has colored the milestone of the sisters." Encouraging the jubilations to march ahead, he said to recount, to give thanks and to put on Jesus Christ in life. The presence of Fr Fredric Monteiro the parish priest of Angelore, Deacon Br Jeevan Shailesh Lobo enhanced the spirit of the entire assembly to remain before the Lord with uplifted arms.
During the felicitation programme arranged after the eucharistic meal, the sweet and sacred story of their life was read out which spoke volumes about their commitment and the mark they have left in the lives of so many. Expressing her indebtedness to all the jubilarians the provincial superior Sr Irene Menezes congratulated them for spreading the aroma of God’s love through the works of mercy, justice and eloquence of their lives.
The large number of sisters witnessed the joy and contentment of the golden and silver jubilarians and carried with them the conviction of God’s unfailing goodness in the life chosen.