Media Release

Davangere, Oct 26: Five couples officially became members of the Missionary Families of Christ (MFC) after making their covenant during a solemn Eucharistic celebration held at St Thomas the Apostle Church, Davangere, on Sunday, October 25.

Msgr Stany D’Souza, delegate to the Apostatic Administrator, presided over the Holy Eucharist and led the five couples in renewing and professing their covenant oath. Fr Antony Nazareth, parish priest of St Thomas the Apostle Church, and Fr Alvine Stanislaus concelebrated the Eucharist.

A covenant rooted in faith, love and commitment

During the felicitation programme Fr Venil D’Silva, director of the Family Commission and spiritual guide of MFC, congratulated the five couples on the their decision to join the MFC family. In his message he emphasized that a covenant is not merely a ritual but a sacred Bond with God, one's life partner and the entire MFC family.

He highlighted three important commitments for every MFC family. First, he urged the couples to build Christ - centred families by giving priority to prayer, the Word of God and the Holy Eucharist. Second, he encouraged them to nurture their married lives through love forgiveness and sacrifice. Differences of opinion may arise, he said, but love must be greater than anger, forgiveness greater than hatred, and sacrifice greater than selfishness. Third, he called on the couples to live out the motto of MFC by nurturing their families in holiness, supporting one another and sharing the love of Christ with other families.

The covenant as a daily commitment

Fr Antony Nazareth, the parish priest, urged the newly covenanted couples to make the five promises of their covenant an integral part of their daily lives. Referring to the Jewish practice of reciting the ‘Shema’ prayer five times a day, he encouraged the couples to recall and renew their Covenant commitments every day, allowing them to guide their decisions, relationships, and family life.

Encouragement from MFC leadership

David Raj, coordinator of MFC programmes in the diocese, congratulated the existing MFC families of Saint Thomas the aposal church for their exemplary Christian witness. He appreciated their faith - field lives, which had inspired five more couples to join the MFC movement and encouraged them to continue being witnesses of Christ's love within their families and the wider community.

Daya Sagar leader of MFC at St Thomas the Apostle Church, proposed the vote of thanks. He expressed his gratitude to all the priests, MFC leaders, existing members, newly covenanted couples and everyone who contributed to making the programme meaningful and successful.

The covenant ceremony marked an important milestone for the Missionary Families of Christ at St Thomas the Apostle Church, Davangere. The commitment of the five couples reflects a renewed desire to build Christ - Centred families rooted in prayer, love, forgiveness, and sacrifice. The celebration also reaffirmed the mission of MFC to strengthen family life, foster holiness, and share the love of Christ with other families, serving as a reminder that a Covenant is not merely a promise made on one occasion but a commitment to be lived faithfully every day.