Sr Molly Fernandes sfn
Goa, Mar 25: March 2025 marks two significant milestones for the congregation of the sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Sancoale, Goa. Holy Family Sisters celebrate the 73rd Canonical Erection of the congregation on March 25, and on March 26, commemorate the 50th death anniversary of the founder, Fr Faustino De Souza.
Fr Faustino is a pivotal figure in the religious history of Goa. His life was devoted to spiritual growth and social welfare in the region. Most notably, he established the congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth - an indigenous religious order for women. This congregation emerged during a time when Goa’s religious landscape was recovering from the suppression of religious institutes, initiated in 1833 under King Dom Pedro of Portugal. The nearly century-long ban disrupted religious life, leaving a void in vital services like education and healthcare. Fr Faustino’s initiative to establish a new religious order reflected a commitment to restore these essential services.
Observing that Goans with religious vocations often joined orders outside the region, Fr Faustino sought to create a local congregation to address the community’s unique needs. His vision was to ensure that local religious vocations would directly benefit Goa’s populace. The foundation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth symbolizes a community-centric and culturally rooted approach to religious life.
The rise of Salazar and the ‘Estado Novo’ in Portugal in 1928 provided a more favourable environment for Fr Faustino to pursue his dream. As the pastor of Sancoale parish, he took strategic steps to realize this vision. He began with the establishment of the Franciscan Brothers at Duler and sought approval from Archbishop Patriarch Dom Theotonio Vieira de Castro to establish a congregation for women. With the Archbishop’s support, Fr Faustino collaborated with the Bethany Sisters of Mangalore to train candidates for the new order. This partnership laid the foundation for the congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Fr Faustino’s efforts underscore his foresight and resolve in overcoming the challenges of founding a new religious congregation during a historically tumultuous period. His legacy lives on through the congregation, which continues to impact the community profoundly.
The founding of the Holy Family Sisters represents a remarkable chapter in the history of Goa’s religious and social transformation. This journey began with the selection and training of the first aspirants, who were sent to Mangaluru for their novitiate a period of spiritual and practical formation. Under the guidance of the Bethany Sisters, three young women embarked on this path: Sr Estelita Coutinho, later known as Mother Josephine; Sr Abelina Braganza, who became Mother Joana; and Sr Sabina D'Souza, who took the name Mother Nativity. Shortly after, Sr Assuciana Silveira, later Mother Edith, joined their ranks. After a year of rigorous training, the sisters returned to Goa to continue their novitiate at Saint Joseph Vaz’s ancestral house in Sancoale, generously made available for this purpose.
The congregation was officially founded, marking the fulfillment of Fr Faustino De Souza’s vision of establishing an indigenous religious order for women in Goa on June 16, 1935. Mother Joana of the Cross was appointed as the first superior of the congregation. While the formal establishment was a significant milestone, it wasn’t until March 25, 1952, that the congregation received canonical recognition from the Catholic Church. This acknowledgment, granted by Patriarch Dom Jose de Costa Nunes, was a pivotal moment in solidifying the congregation’s place within the broader Church community. The constitutions of the congregation were approved shortly afterward, outlining its guiding principles. Over the years, the constitutions were revised, demonstrating the congregation's adaptability to changing times and Church laws.
The Holy Family Sisters have a multifaceted mission that focuses on the holistic development of individuals and communities. Their primary aim is to liberate people from ignorance, oppression, and both temporal and spiritual adversity, while spreading the Good News of Christ. They actively collaborate with the local Church hierarchy in evangelization, catechetical instruction, and religious formation, ensuring their work addresses both spiritual and social dimensions of human well-being.
The sisters engage in a variety of ministries to fulfil their mission. These include formal and informal education, pastoral care, social work, and specialized support for marginalized groups. They operate schools, provide catechetical instruction, and manage homes for the elderly and shelters for vulnerable individuals. Their initiatives, such as Asha Sadan, Kiran Niketan, Divya Gyan, and Nazareth Jeevandhara, focus on empowering women, children, and youth while addressing systemic challenges like poverty and lack of education. Through self-help industries and skill development programs, the sisters enable communities to achieve economic independence. Their involvement in diocesan activities and their extensive outreach reflects a commitment to serving diverse needs.
Fr Faustino’s legacy is further preserved through his ‘Pearls of Wisdom,’ which encapsulate values of love, humility, prayer, silence, divine providence, love for the poor and forgiveness. These teachings continue to inspire the sisters and guide their approach to ministry and community service. The Holy Family Sisters remain a beacon of hope, reflecting Fr Faustino’s vision for a compassionate, faith-filled community.