Events

Mangaluru, Feb 6: The religious priests/brothers and sisters of the city's CRI (Conference of Religious in India) unit celebrated the 'World Day for Consecrated Life' on Sunday February 5, 2017 at St Anne’s Friary, Capuchin Friars, Jail Road. It was observed as a day of recollection and the time was devoted to personal prayer, reflection, confession and sharing.

Fr Melwyn D'Souza, Capuchin, president of CRI unit here, welcomed the gathering. Sr Colin D’Souza, DHM, led the prayer service and created a devotional atmosphere. The speaker of the day Fr Dionysious Vaz SJ, rector of St Aloysious College shared his reflections on the topic 'The challenges of consecrated life today' with scholarly insights and real-life examples. He said, “It is high time for us, the religious of different congregations to come together and take up a few common social issues and work together in this world of polarization, isolation, fragmentation and segregation to become powerful witnessed for our Lord Jesus Christ."

The Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharistic adoration conducted by Fr Darick D’Souza, Capuchin, enabled all the participants to celebrate God’s mercy and forgiveness. Priests especially from St Anne’s Friary attended to confessions. The concelebrated Mass was presided over by Fr Aquin Noronha, OP, parish priest of St Dominic’s Church. The homily was preached by Fr Melwyn. In his homily, the preacher said, “The clarion call of Jesus ‘to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world’, is for all of us without exception to give to the world the taste and glimpse of who Jesus Christ is.” The communal nature of the celebration of the Eucharist became more meaningful by the presence of Jesuit and Capuchin priests.

Fr Joachim Fernandes parish priest of St Ann, Kelarai, enlightened the gathering on the 'Spirituality of small Christian Community'. It was an apt theme as the diocese of Mangaluru has dedicated this year for the deeper participation of the SCC movement. The music and choir were led by Fr Jawahar Cutinho. Capuchin and the Ursuline candidates from Holy Rosary Convent rendered their melodious voices to everyone's spirits to the divine.

All the executive members of CRI, Mangaluru, Sr Reema Crasta - SRA, vice-president; Sr Edna Furtado - AC, secretary; Sr Carmine Pereira - SCCG, treasurer; Sr Neeta Alva - SCSC, Sr Grace Lobo - UMI, Sr Gracy Mathias - UFS and Sr Lolita Pereira - BS who compered the entire celebration collaborated to make the day memorable and meaningful.

The number of participants which totalled to around 600 was indeed a pleasant surprise.

More Photos...