Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 18: Seven sisters Sr Elfreeda Wilma D’Souza, Sr Glane Azeta D’Souza, Sr Ida D’Souza, Sr Laveena D’Souza, Sr Lilly Lavina D’Souza, Sr Sharal Prajwal D’Souza, and Sr Dorathi Fernandes of the congregation of Sisters of Charity of Saints Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa (SCCG), of Mangalore province made their perpetual profession on Thusday November 18, at Guardian Angel Church, Angelore. On November 21 is the feast of the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is commemorated as the foundation day of the congregation of the Sisters of Charity. Every year, on this particular day or close to this day sisters dedicate their life totally to the Lord through the Perpetual Profession. This year, 49 young sisters of the institute utter their ‘Yes’ to the Lord and commit their life to Him ‘forever’.
Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, the bishop of Mangalore officiated at the Eucharist along with Fr William Menezes, the parish priest of Angelore and many other priests. Appreciating the daring step of the young sisters to devout their life for the noble cause of Christ, the bishop said, “These sisters are the reflection of Christ. Just like Jesus, they have come forward to forget themselves in the service of the poor. May Jesus shine in their life of charity.”
Through the litany, the entire assembly uniting with the heavenly members invoked God for the fullness of His Spirit to strengthen the holy resolve of the young sisters. They made their vows of chastity, poverty and obedience before the public, in the hands of Sr Irene Menezes the provincial superior of Mangalore province who accepted them in the name of the Church. As a sign of their total sharing in the life of Christ each sister received the crucifix from the bishop after which the Provincial superior welcomed them as full pledged members of the family of Sisters of Charity. This solemn celebration was witnessed by their parents, dear ones, sisters of the province and well wishers.
The newly professed sisters were felicitated after the Mass in the presence of their dear ones and sisters. Sr Irene Menezes congratulated the sisters, appreciating their courage to be the witnesses of God’s love in this present world, inviting them to hold on the values of His kingdom and build up the world of truth and justice.
The entire celebration marked and witnessed the beauty of religious life and the joy of dedicating one’s life to the Lord and to the Church.