Mangalore Province News

by Sr Anna Maria BS, Mangalore Province 

June 24th 2020 was an auspicious day in the history of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany as well as of Mangalore Province as the Provincial Superior and her team was installed at Bethany Provincialate, Vamanjoor.  The ceremony was preceded by the Eucharistic celebration officiated by Msgr Maxim Noronha, the Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese. The celebrant in his homily gave a clarion call to possess the qualities of prophetic leadership after the example of St John the Baptist and shepherding qualities of king David.

During a special prayer, Sr Rose Celine BS, the Superior General of the Congregation ceremoniously installed Sr Cicilia Mendonca the Provincial Superior. The shawl, Bible, book of Constitutions, crucifix, keys, passbook and a lighted candle were handed over by the Superior General to the Provincial Superior inviting her to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, our Master who was a Servant, Steward and Shepherd. Thereafter Sr Roshel, Sr Anna Maria, Sr Shubha and Sr Lilly Pereira the Provincial Councillors were installed. As a symbol of self-offering the Provincial Superior along with her Councillors offered the lighted lamps to the Lord by uttering the motto of the Congregation ‘Behold the Handmaid of the Lord’. At the end of prayer, ‘Magnificat’, Mary’s song of love and gratitude was sung.

Thereafter Sr Cicilia Mendonca the Provincial Superior who was installed for a second term of office and her councilors were felicitated in the community hall of St Raymond’s Convent. The sisters of the province expressed their gratitude to the Provincial Superior and the council for their committed and joyful service during the past 4 years.  

In her Presidential address Sr Rose Celine highlighted the aspect of leadership as ‘Graced Companionship’, to accompany the sisters with love, building a personal relationship with each and every one.  She appealed to them to grow in the spirit of prayer, faith and compassion to face the challenges of the present times especially in the post pandemic era.  She recalled the past Provincial Superiors Sr Virginia, Sr Inviolatha, Sr Christella and Sr Mariette and applauded them for animating the Province ever since its inception.  Sr Cicilia Mendonca thanked Sr Rose Celine, the Superior General and her team for their guidance, her team for their support and all the sisters of the province for their co-operation and prayers.   

The Superiors of various neighboring communities and Sisters from St Raymond’s community graced the occasion. The programme was ended with fellowship meal.