Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 26: The Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangaluru, has announced the Twin Jubilee celebration honouring the 150th birth anniversary and 125th anniversary of priestly ordination of Servant of God Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas.
Scheduled for February 28, this landmark occasion will commemorate the life and legacy of Fr Mascarenhas, a visionary priest whose mission of faith, education, and service transformed countless lives.
Solemn Eucharistic celebration & felicitation programme
The event will feature a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and Daman. Following this, a felicitation programme will be led by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore, in the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including:
• Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi
• Dr Francis Serrao, bishop of Shimoga
• Dr Geevarghese Mar Makarios, Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy of Puttur
• Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop emeritus, Mangalore
The event will also bring together vicar generals, priests, religious sisters, and the family members of the revered Founder.
A life dedicated to service & education
Born on January 23, 1875 in Shivamogga, Fr Mascarenhas devoted his life to uplifting the underprivileged, especially young girls, through education. His vision led to the founding of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, a congregation that has now flourished with 194 branches and over 1,363 sisters serving across the globe.
The Twin Jubilee is a tribute to his enduring mission and the ongoing cause for his beatification, which began with a diocesan enquiry that concluded in 2019.
“As we celebrate this momentous occasion, we honour not just a man, but a legacy of love, service, and unwavering faith that continues to inspire generations,” said Sr Mariola B S, chair of the Media Committee.
Media & Public Invitation
The faithful are invited to witness this historic celebration as the Bethany Congregation continues to nurture Fr Mascarenhas’s mission of faith, education, and social transformation.