Guwahati: A thanksgiving Eucharistic and a felicitation programme was organized on 23rd July at Holy Cross Sisters of Chavanod, provincial house Guwahati.
Sr. Elsy Francis, Sr. Madona Victor, Sr. Sheela Rani Visuvasam Pillai and Sr. Smitha Thomas celebrated their 50 and 25 years of their religious profession.
In his apostolic letter Vita Consecrata, St. John Paul II accounts, “In every age, there have been men and women who, obedient to the Father’s call and the prompting of the spirit, have chosen the special way of following Christ, and devote themselves to him with an undivided heart, leaving everything behind to be with Him and to put themselves in the service of God and humanity”.
The entrance procession was an enactment of the words of St. John Paul II. The entrance procession performed by the pre-novices symbolized a journey from the world outside to the sanctuary of God and they were followed by Golden Jubilarian Sr. Elsy, her relatives and the Silver Jubilarians accompanied by the provincial team followed by the Sisters, the Candidates, the Priests and the main Celebrant.
Sr. Elsy Francis known for her pastoral zeal and catechetical works was born on 5th January 1950 to devout and God-fearing parents Mr. K.T. Francis and Mrs Philomina Francis. She hails from Kallekad, Kerala, Archdiocese of Trichur. She is the third child among eight siblings. This event became very special with the presence of eight of her family members; two of her brothers, Mr. Kurian Mr. Joy from Tharayil Family, her Sisters in law, her niece Amala, her nephew Febin and her cousin Sr. Elsy John SCC from Kolkata Province.
Sr. Sheela Rani Visuvasam Pillai known for her inner joy and dynamism was born on 4th April 1975 of Mr. Visuvasam Pillai and Mrs. Susooiammal. She hails from Iravathanallur, Madurai Tamilnadu.
Sr. Smitha Thomas was born on 17th May 1978 to Mr. Thomas Varghese and Mrs. Lizy Thomas. She hails from Mundakayam, Kottayam district Kerala. She is known for her adaptability to any culture and language of Northeast India. She is fluent in the Assamese language.
Sr. Madona Victor was born on 14th October 1975 of Mr. A. Victor and Mrs. Fathima Mary. She hails from Megalathur in Kumbakonam Diocese, Tamil Nādu. Sr. Madona is known for her prayer life and gentle approach to people. She serves as the Junior mistress of the Province and has fortified the vocation of many young sisters under her care.
Most Rev. John Moolachira Archbishop of Guwahati, the main celebrant in his homily congratulated the jubilarians and the Holy Cross congregation for their life and ministry in the Church. He said, “Jubilee is a Joyful celebration because of the Joy of living, the joy of being faithful, the joy of serving the Lord and his people for fifty and twenty-five years. It is also a time of thanksgiving just like the Israelites (Leviticus 25) We thank God’s bountiful mercy, God was experienced as a Father, Mother brother and companion”.
Archbishop John continued, “One of the favourite hymns of thanksgiving is of Blessed Virgin Mary, popularly known as the Magnificat which means to sing the praises of God. Mary acknowledges all that God has done in her life; she feels favoured, blessed and honoured. Another example is Hannah who prayed fervently to God for a child. God answered Hannah’s prayer by granting a son named Samuel, whom she dedicated to God. In the Song of Hannah, she glorified God for upholding her and wiping tears from her eyes with the birth of her son Samuel (1 Sam 1:1-28). The same message of thanksgiving is also echoed in St Paul’s letter to Colossians, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful”. (Colossians 3:15)
Congratulating Jubilarians, Sr. Annie Varghese, the provincial said, “Dear Sisters you have lived in obedience to the rule of life of our congregation, true to its charisma and mission, true to the spirit of our founders Mother Claudine and Fr. Peter Marie Mermier, and true to your beloved Bridegroom, Christ Jesus.”
The book of Leviticus depicts the spirit of jubilee as an occasion of grateful remembrance of the past events, of rejoicing for the graces received of recognition of God’s faithfulness. The journey of 50 and 25 years is not simply a journey through a string of days and years, rather journeys surrounded and intertwined by the intimacy and relationship with God and His people. The life journeys of these Sisters have been fulfilling and demanding, risky and exciting. They have been filled with losses and gains, replete with joys and sorrows and in all these God who calls people to consecrated life is glorified.