“Set me like a seal on your heart”
With immense love and gratitude we the 2nd year and 3nd year Junior Sisters of Mangalore Province gathered together at Bethany Provincialate, Vamanjoor for 3 days recollection prior to our renewal of Vows. Indeed we were happy to have this renewal programme from 26th eve to 29th March 2015.
The renewal programme commenced with an introductory talk by Sr Sharon BS the Provincial Councillor and Junior directress, and invited us to fix our gaze on Jesus and to live my decision faithfully till the end of our life. Throughout our recollection she conducted meditations and gave prayerful reflections, which helped us strengthen our faith-response.
On the following two days Sr Sahana BS the resource person enlightened us through her inspiring and creativity session on our Life of Prayer and asked us to be open to Jesus to experience His person in our life. Union is becoming one with the divine and following the divine God. We had an opportunity to witness the rally held by the Diocese of Mangalore against atrocities of Christian. We were challenged to be prophetic witnesses in today’s world. We were inspired by the thought provoking message of our dear Sr Mariette BS the Provincial Superior of Mangalore Province that we need to live by the conviction and courageously face the life. Only the self awareness leads us to live in present moment and to walk extra mile, thus to reach out to the needy in our community and society.
Sr Lillis, the Asst. Superior General challenged us through the words of Pope Francis “I am counting on you to wake up the world since the distinctive sign of consecrated life is prophecy. This is the priority that is needed right now”. God loves a cheerful giver. Be a joyful consecrated person and how to be happy amidst the struggles and difficulties that we face in our communities were some of the tips given by Sr Christella BS the Asst Provincial Superior of Mangalore Province.
These 3 days stay with Jesus was a unique and experiential one which enabled us to prepare ourselves to commit totally to Jesus alone. We were happy to renew our vows and give our self to Jesus through Bethany. With this preparation once again we were gathered together on 11th evening April 2015. We were well prepared to renew our vows with confession and reflections by Sr Sharon BS. On 12th morning during the Holy Eucharist we renewed our vows, and we were called upon to focus on the person of Jesus. This renewal programme was very useful to us as we journey in this challenging world.
We raise our hearts to God and remain grateful to our beloved Congregation, Sr Wilberta our Superior General, Sr Mariette BS our Provincial Superior who accepted our vows, the Provincial Councillors and all the sisters of our communities who support us in our faith journey. We owe our gratitude particularly to Sr Sharon BS, our directress, for her keen interest in our growth and for the timely guidance, reflections and prayers.
Srs Priya BS and Saritha BS
St Raymond’s Convent
Vamanjoor