Pics: Stanley Bantwal
Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 11: The congregation of the Apostolic Carmel had the celebration of Perpetual Profession of 38 sisters on Saturday December 11 at Maryhill.
Twelve sisters from Eastern Province Sr Baiahunlang Jalong, Sr Medakerlin Lyngdoh, Sr Evangelyne Lyngdoh, Sr Arphi Mary, Sr Ankita Maria, Sr Marbakor Mary, Sr Shidalin Pala, Sr Grace Kabuanliu Panmei, Sr Regina Mandi, Sr Maria Sonali Murmu, Sr Aquilyne Lyngdoh, and Sr Nazarita Kurbah; four sisters from Southern Province Sr Maria Neethu, Sr Soniya Thomas, Sr Soumya Vilson, and Sr Sneha Sebastian; five sisters from Northern Province were Sr Mary Neelmani, Sr Monika Baa, Sr Maria Supriya, Sr AlbinaTopno, and Sr Supriya Asunta Surin; eight sisters from Karnataka Province Sr Anthony Reena, Sr Nithya Folita Fernandes, Sr Gloria Prima D’Souza, Sr Lucy Mary Crasta, Sr Roshni Noronha, Sr Jovita Tellis, Sr Tesna Jose, and Sr Pauline Priyadarshini and nine sisters from Western Province Sr Nishita Xess, Sr Marie Suman, Sr Roshni Tigga, Sr Mohini Chilka, Sr Velcima D'Souza, Sr Rosehera Furtado, Sr Melissa Suzie Fernandes, Sr Mary Jomy, and Sr Vilnisha Borges made their final profession and offered their lives forever in the service of the Lord. Sr Nessa, the tertian directress had played a greater role in their formative journey.
Fr Maxim Noronha, the vicar general of Mangalore diocese, officiated at the solemn Eucharist along with other 20 priests.
The main celebrant Fr Maxim Noronha in his homily preached on the theme ‘We live in love and we share this love with others in the mission of Christ’. In this mission, Mary’s life sets a pattern for our life specially to stand with Christ in the poor and the suffering. The choir by the novices and the sisters helped in greater devotion and added meaning and life to the Eucharistic sacrifice.
The superior general of the Apostolic Carmel Sr Maria Nirmalini AC, accepted their vows in the name of the church. For this solemn celebration, the family members of the sisters from different parts of India, their parish priests, well wishers and sisters of the Apostolic Carmel gathered along with them in a spirit of thanksgiving to witness and share the joy of these 38 brides.
The celebrants of this great day were then ushered into the school auditorium which was splendidly and artistically decorated in tune with the celebration. In this ambience the finally professed sisters were felicitated with a greeting song by the novices for their audacious step in offering themselves totally to the Lord and for His service in the church.
The fellowship meal that followed gave space and time for the brides of the day to bond with their loved ones. The joy of the final profession was etched into every cell of the celebrants’ face as their soul sang Psalm 145 in total surrender to the Lord, their God, their all.
Prior to this day, three sisters of East Africa Region Sr Hellen Nthenya Mutunga, Sr Pauline Barasa and Sr Annunciata Eunice Wambua made their final vows in Kenya, on November 19, 2021.
Six sisters of Sri Lanka Province Sr Maria Niroshini, Sr Maria Juliet of Jesus, Sr Sinthuja, Sr Mary Biumi, Sr Aneeta Niroshini, and Sr Thevaki are waiting their final profession day on December 28 in Sri Lanka.