Watch a brief of the profession of Sr. Yoginia Rymbai: https://youtu.be/uSDXaboF8Bw

You made a difference!!!

27^th April 2025 is the most memorable day of my life. From my early childhood, I had an earnest desire to be a religious sister. I didn’t know how to go about it or how I would become one, but suddenly I feel all my dreams realised as I walked to the altar to make my commitment to Jesus to be His for my lifetime. I made my First Profession on 27^th April. It was never a smooth journey for me, but I would thank God for always being with me.

I am one of the 10 siblings. My father is the only breadwinner, but he gave us all a decent education. He knew that in educating us, he was giving us a lifetime security. My parents instilled faith in me so I could see the ups and downs of my life as a journey guided by God. I wasn’t a good student. Studies were difficult for me and I felt this would be the greatest impediment to my life. My sisters came to my village, picked me and they did everything to get me educated. They have dedicated their energies and efforts to make sure that I get the basic education required for entering religious life.

Once I cleared elementary education and later higher schooling, I was accepted as a postulant and from then on I found my dreams get wings. During my postulancy and novitiate, all my formators were understanding towards me. They brought the formation to a level understandable for me and ignited the love for the congregation day in and day out. I had no doubts when I had to finally give my ‘yes’ to the Lord and the congregation.

I am in debt to all the sisters of the province who accompanied me through my initial years of formation. I was moulded and fashioned each day into the life of a Carmelite Missionary by the tireless efforts of the sisters. The provincials and councils who accepted me into the province and finally gave me my First Profession have constantly been a source of encouragement. I was also honoured to meet Sr. Lila Rosa, our General, during her visit. Her motherly advice helped me strengthen my vocation.

I want to acknowledge that I am sincerely grateful for all the love, care, concern, and acceptance I have received from the congregation. I would spend my life in thanksgiving to the Lord and in grateful service to the congregation.

 

Sr. Yoginia Rymbai

First year Junior

India. 

Celebration of Love and Service

 Celebration of Love and Service

We all make commitments daily but to commit to something for a lifetime these days is worth applauding. Today, two of our young sisters - Meena Jancy and Sonia Delcita Mendonca decide to offer their lives in service of God and man. It was a joyous occasion for the sisters of St. Francis Xavier Province, India. The celebration began with great enthusiasm with the lyrical voice of our postulants. Their voices added not just melody but lifted our spirits to match the occasion. The profession was held at St Antony's  Church, Kodathi on 2^nd February 2025.

The Eucharist was concelebrated by nine priests from different parishes. The main celebrant was  Fr Arul Swamy Stephen, a priest from the hometown of Sr. Meena Jancy. During the homily Fr. Arul creatively constructed the acronym of MEENA and SONIA with the resounding qualities of a religious. He admonished them to be very adjustable and homely and live an enthusiastic missionary life, giving essence to their consecration. He also mentioned how the love for our Mother can help us to have perseverance in our vocation. He consolidated with his own childhood experiences.

Soon after the mass there was a small reception in the parish Hall which was marked by a felicitation program and cake cutting ceremony. Our postulants enthralled the audience with a thrilling dance. After the felicitation of the Final Professed Sisters, Provincial – Sr. Marykutty Mathew, sisters, priests and other important dignitaries, family, friends and parishioners were served lunch.

The ambience was prayerful and those who participated were moved by the proceedings of the final profession. The priests and people were taken up and they prayed that we be blessed with many vocations. Some priests did enthusiastically invite us to their parishes for vocation promotion.

St. Francis Xavier Province

INDIA

https://youtube.com/shorts/CgOhiH-MyDA

 

A life well spent meets the Lord

 

Birth Bicentenary of Juana Gratias

 It was a moment of pride to recall and to tell the people about the first Carmelite Missionary - Juana Gratias. We tried to make a short documentary. All our communities enthusiastically celebrated the birth bicentenary and they involved the CMS. The CMS was enthralled to participate in this historic moment. 

The birthday was the initiative from the Generalate and our sisters keenly followed the guidelines given. There were four corners mentioned for the celebration namely Corner of Laughter

                                Corner of Friendship

                                Corner of Palautian Friendship

                                Corner of Music

Apart from these corners, there was a mention of some of the letters of Fr. Palau to Juana which was also highlighted during the celebrations. 

The CMS participated with greater fervour in all the celebrations. They did come to our communities and participated in the Eucharist and shared meals with us. It was a great experience to know the struggles Juana went through and how she surmounted above all struggles and tried to fulfill the dreams and vision of Fr. Palau.

She is a classic example of how we turn odds into opportunities. She is a model for all of us sisters to remain faithful to the charism and to the call. Fr. Palau said "To live in Carmel, I need only one thing - vocation." But Juana showed it in her life. She was the scorn of even her own sisters and she was sidelined yet she remained faithful to her call as a religious. She didn't have a dignified life, even at death no one claimed her but today she enjoys the heavenly bliss with our Lord.

May we emulate her virtues and fidelity in our life.

Renewal of Life

 Renewal of the Vows of our Juniors

We pray for our sisters that God may bless them abundantly in all that they do and may strengthen them to follow on His path with greater fidelity.