Mangaluru: The Congregation of the Apostolic Carmel held the celebration of Perpetual Profession on Saturday, December 8, in Maryhill, Mangaluru. Twelve nuns– Sr. Victoria Sangma (Assam), Sr. Elbina Kharkongor (Shillong), Sr. Pramila Toppo (Jharkhand), Sr. Mary Maya Peter (Uttar Pradesh), Sr. Mary Punam Lakra (Jharkhand), Sr. Priyanka Wankhade (Maharastra), Sr. Margeret Sabina Subba (Sikkim), Sr. Mary Julina (Mysore), Sr. Josephine Joseph (Khozikode), Sr. Supreetha Sunitha Lobo (Modankap), Sr. Priya DSouza (Panir) and Sr. Merlin Christal DCunha (Modankap) made their Final Profession and offered their lives forever in the service of the Lord.
Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese officiated the Solemn Eucharistic celebration along with 12 concelebrants.
The Bishop, in his homily, highlighted the virtues of Mother Mary and explained the significance of the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. He also explained the religious life and congratulated the 12 sisters for choosing the path of virginity, taking Mother Mary’s example. He told them to be in constant communion with God and like Mary, to be the handmaid of the Lord. The Bishop also congratulated the parents and family members of the professed sisters for offering their daughters for the service of the Lord through the Apostolic Carmel Congregation.
Sister Susheela, the Superior General accepted their vows in the name of the Church. The parents and relatives of the nuns and a large number of the Apostolic Carmel Sisters participated in the solemn celebration. The sisters were also felicitated for taking the daring step of offering their entire lives in the service of the Lord.
The Apostolic Carmel is grateful to God for the gift of nineteen Tertains. Two sisters – Sr. Janerose Naswa and Sr. Doreen Karimi Mbae made their Final Profession in East Africa, Kenya on November 16 and five sisters – Sr. Niseli, Sr. Saba Pervez, Sr. Reka, Sr. Samanthika and Sr. Sutharshana will do so in Sri Lanka on December 14.
