A priest urged the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth to root their mission in Christ and renew their communal life, as they marked the 51st death anniversary of their founder, Fr. Faustino De Souza, in Goa, India.
Although the anniversary falls on March 26, the main liturgical celebration was held March 24 at 4 p.m. at St. Michael’s Church in Anjuna. Sisters from across the Archdiocese of Goa joined devotees at the site where the founder’s life journey began.
The Eucharistic celebration, themed “Orponn Mogachem Kirnn Bhorvanxeachem” (An Offering of Love, A Ray of Hope), was presided over by Fr. Tony Fernandes, SFX, and concelebrated by Fr. Jorge Fernandes and Fr. Anthony Paul, SFX.
Before the Mass, a short film on the life of Fr. Faustino was shown, highlighting his humble beginnings and mission.
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In his homily, Fernandes said Anjuna holds a rare distinction in the archdiocese for producing two figures of faith: Ven. Fr. Agnelo and Fr. Faustino.
“Without holiness, the life of a sister has no value,” he said. “To be spiritual, one must first be deeply human.”
Drawing a parallel between the faith of Moses and the trust of Fr. Faustino, he urged the sisters to renew their commitment by making Jesus the center of their life and mission. He said it is Jesus who calls them to bear fruit and that service has no value unless rooted in him.
He also urged them to give thanks for each member and to work together rather than individually.
Fernandes outlined the congregation’s identity as a guide for religious life today:
- Spirituality: A call to holiness rooted in being good human beings
- Family: Modeling communities after the Holy Family of Nazareth, making them places of love, understanding, unity and peace, not division
- Nazareth, or negative to positive: A call to overcome negativity with a positive and united spirit
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“We often go to a museum to look at ‘antique things’ from a distance,” he said. “But for you, it is not about looking at the past, but about finding what is relevant now.”
He urged the sisters to move forward together, “holding each other’s hands,” and said the quality of life matters more than the number of members.
Superior General Sr. Berna Rodrigues delivered the vote of thanks. After the Mass, the congregation also launched its magazine, “Savera.”
On March 26, at the congregation’s headquarters in Sancoale, sisters and boarders gathered in a ceremony at the bust of Fr. Faustino. The bust was garlanded in honor of his legacy, rooted in a mission to uplift women, the poor, the destitute, and the youth.
