Mangaluru, May 18: Canonization of Blessed Marium Baouardy of Jesus Crucified by Pope Francis in Rome was celebrated at Sacred Heart Monastery, Cloistered Carmel, Kankanady on Sunday, May 17th.
Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza offered the Eucharistic mass. Dr Robert Miranda, bishop of Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) diocese, Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, vicar general of Mangaluru diocese, Fr Henry Sequeira, chancellor, Fr Pius James D’Souza, Episcopal vicar, Fr Richard Coelho, administrator of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, Fr Joe Tauro, Fr James D’Souza, parish priest of Valencia, Fr Elias D’Souza, Fr Deepu Fernandes, and Fr Joseph Martis, rector of Jeppu Seminary were the concelebrants.
The sermon was delivered by Fr Gregory D’Souza, who said, it is indeed a happy moment for all that a saint lived here and professed her oath in Cloistered Carmel, Kankanady. The Word of God was alive in her life and it has been given fruition by canonizing her as a saint. Let us pray to the saint and follow her path in our daily lives, he said.
Stage programme was held after the mass. Mayor Jacintha Alfred, MLA J R Lobo, MLC Ivan D’Souza, Roy Castelino, president of Konkani Sahitya Academy, Sr Lynette, provincial superior, Apostolic Carmel, Karnataka province, Sr Jacintha of Cloistered Carmel, Fr Scervin, Betharram and other priests were present.
Bishop of Kalaburagi Dr Robert Miranda addressing the gathering said, this is happy moment for all of us. Just as she showed her spiritual richness to the world, we too have to give our spiritual richness to others. I feel very happy and honoured to be present on this day of canonization of St Mary Baouardy. St Mary Baouardy is a saint of three congregations, he said.
On this occasion, MLA J R Lobo released a CD titled ‘Lipon Asallem Dirvem’ (Hidden Treasure), a documentary on St Mary Baouardy of Jesus Crucified, brought out by Divine Media and Cloistered Carmel, Kankanady. A brochure was released by MLC Ivan D’Souza.
Felicitation was rendered to Bannu Fernandes, director of the play that was presented on the occasion, Corrine Rasquinha of White Doves, Fr Richard Coelho, Administrator of Father Muller Institutions, Stany Bantwal and Elias Fernandes of Four Wings.
The gathering was welcomed by Secretary of Mangaluru diocese council M P Noronha. Sheldon Crasta compeered the event and vote of thanks was proposed by Fr Pius James.
