Mangaluru, Dec 11: The congregation of the Apostolic Carmel had the celebration of Perpetual Profession of 38 sisters on Saturday, December 11 at Maryhill, Mangalore.

12 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, Sr. Nazarita Kurbah; 4 sisters from Southern Province - Sr. Maria Neethu, Sr. Soniya Thomas, Sr. Soumya Vilson, Sr. Sneha Sebastian; 5 sisters from Northern Province - Sr. Mary Neelmani, Sr. Monika Baa, Sr. Maria Supriya, Sr. AlbinaTopno, Sr. Supriya Asunta Surin; 8 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, Sr. Pauline Priyadarshini and 9 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, 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.

Rev Fr Maxim Noronha, the Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese, officiated at the solemn Eucharist along with other 20 priests.

The main celebrant Rev 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.

6 sisters of Sri Lanka Province Sr. Maria Niroshini, Sr. Maria Juliet of Jesus, Sr. Sinthuja, Sr. Mary Biumi, Sr. Aneeta Niroshini, Sr. Thevaki are waiting their final profession day on December 28th in Sri Lanka.