CRI celebrates World Day for Consecrated Life
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, 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.
