The Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth, brought down the curtains of the 125th Quasquicentennial anniversary of the Quasquicentenniar – Fr. Faustino De Souza, the Founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Holy Family of Nazareth, at Sancoale, Goa (SFN). Of whom God said: here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit… Is. 42: 1, ….to build and to plant, Jer. 1: 10, was born on November 24, 1893, at Anjuna, Goa.
To mark this day, which is a triple celebration for the SFN’s – Founder’s day, Boarders day and Communication day, with immense joy and gratitude, the SFN”s glorified and thanked God for the unique, sole, one in a million, personality who brought change in the Church of Goa and been instrumental to cater to the needs of the Church and those whom the society pressed downed by his magnanimous self-sacrificing love, humility, forgiveness, prayer and service relying on Divine Providence, which gave birth to the Religious Order (SFN) and who also brought back the religious after its ban after a century.
The Bishop of Sindhudurg diocese Most Reverend Bishop Alwyn Barreto officiated at the thanksgiving Eucharist along with 15 priests and a deacon – ‘Mogachem Raj Bandunk Padr Faustin amkam sfurthi’, highlighting the virtue of humility, simplicity and forgiveness where he shared his experiences as a boy and as a seminarian. Yes, indeed, Fr. Faustino has been an inspiration to build the Kingdom of Love, by his very own life as he longed to be ‘another Christ’. An inspiring liturgy set the tone for the day taken care by Rev. Sr. Livia, and the committee while the melodious singing – the choir – of the SFN’s was led and trained by Sr Jyothi sfn.
Any occasion without music, dance, song and food is like ‘khoim ghel’lo re khoim na, kitem haddle re kaim na’!!! Almost immediately after the Eucharistic celebration, the cultural programme began with the release of a movie by Most Rev. Bishop Alwyn Barreto, on the life of our Founder Fr. Faustino De Souza followed by presentations from the Society schools. The Superior General Rev. Sr. Alvita Gurjao sfn, welcomed the august gathering and enlightened the gathering on our Founder and Rev. Sr. Liberata Fernandes sfn, proposed the votes of thanks. Later everyone dispersed after lunch exuding joy, to build the Kingdom of Love.
Yes, the SFN’s renew our pledge to carry on his legacy to the corners of the world, doing likewise and his Charism: ‘To make the Master known to the needy and the marginalised’. Long live his legacy!!!
