Media Release
Mangaluru, Apr 22: The Congregation of Ursuline Franciscan Sisters rejoiced in the celebration of the perpetual profession of six sisters on Tuesday, April 21 at St Joseph Church, Jeppu.
In a solemn act of consecration, the sisters committed themselves totally to Christ through the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The profession took place in the presence of Superior General Sr Milly Fernandes, sisters of the congregation, priests, family members, and collaborators.
The Eucharistic celebration was officiated by Bishop of Mangalore diocese Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, along with 12 concelebrants. In his homily, the bishop reflected on the depth of this lifelong commitment, emphasizing that it requires both courage and grace. Drawing from the Gospel, he spoke about four types of love: parental love, philia (friendship), romantic love, and agape (the selfless love of Jesus). He stressed that just as Jesus offered himself completely, the sisters too are called to surrender their whole being to him alone.
The vows were formally accepted by Sr Milly Fernandes in the name of the Church. The celebration drew together the Generalate team, provincial superiors, parish priests, well-wishers, and lay collaborators.
The felicitation programme began with a greeting song by the choir. Sr Milly Fernandes felicitated the sisters along with their parents, expressing gratitude for their generous offering to the Ursuline Franciscan family. In her address, she encouraged the sisters to live their vocation with single-minded devotion and to remain steadfast against the fleeting attractions of the world.
She also expressed appreciation to the families for their constant support and encouraged them to continue fostering vocations for the Church. On behalf of the perpetually professed sisters, two of them delivered heartfelt words of gratitude to all who had supported them on their journey.
The congregation also looks forward to the perpetual profession of two sisters on April 26 at Jeevan Dhara Convent, Lucknow, and another nine sisters on April 30 at Assisi Convent, Dimapur, Nagaland.