Mangaluru: The Lamp Lighting and Oath Taking Ceremony of 64th batch of GNM and 35thbatch of BSc Nursing students of Father Muller School and College of Nursing were held on March 19th 2022, in Father Muller mini hall. The program commenced at 9.30am by a prayer song by nursing students followed by the Lamp Lighting Ceremony. Dr Leena KC Dean, Yenepoya Nursing College was the Chief Guest of the ceremony. Sr Nancy Priya Mathias, Principal Father Muller School of Nursing welcomed the gathering. As a mark of privilege and honor, the dignitaries offered flowers to the portraits of Florence Nightingale, and Fr Augustus Muller, Founder of Father Muller Charitable Institutions. Sr. Janet D’Souza, Chief Nursing Officer spoke on the significance of the day.
The nursing leaders lit the lamps of 160 novice nursing students and passed on the light of wisdom, knowledge and compassion following which, they vowed to uphold their duties as nursing professionals, by swearing an oath, administered by Sr. Jacintha D’Souza, Principal, FMCON. Chief Guest, Dr Leena KC Dean, Yenepoya Nursing College addressed the students asking them to be involved and committed individuals. Her past experience as a student in Victoria Hospital was a blessing as it made her a strong and omitted individual. She recommended participatory learning with interdepartmental collaboration and the use of e-learning facilities to have student-centric growth. She reminded her students to graduate as learned nurses rather those novices in their profession. The college in which they learn is an accredited college with the best of learning and co-curricular activities. COVID has the world over recognized the need for nursing care and thus we should be ever ready to serve society at large.
A memento was gifted to the Chief Guest by Rev. Fr Richard A Coelho as a token of gratitude. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, Director, FMCI presided over the program and invited the students to be committed to their profession. He wished the gathering a blessed feast of St Joseph (earthly father of Jesus Christ) who is also the patron saint of workers and also of the Diocese of Mangalore. Quoting from the Book of St John and of the parable of the Good Samaritan, he emphasized that the virtue of being good preceded all. For God wants good from all and good to be given to all. Mother Teresa said “I work for God, not for money” this was like when the world buzzed with the word ‘corona warriors’, where doctors and nurses alike, worked to uplift the suffering humanity and restore health. He concluded, “the suffering of your patients should be your teacher – learn the language of healing, a culture of love and hands of care”.
Prathima Voilet Fernandes, HOD Department of Nursing Foundation delivered the vote of thanks. Merlin Fernandes and Merlyn Moras, lecturers, compered the program.
Fr Rudolf Ravi D’SaAdministrator FMMCH, Fr Ajith Menezes the administrator of FMMC were present on the dais. AssistantAdministrators, FMMCH, Spiritual Guide, FMCI staff, students witnessed this event.
