India News

News by Br. Malvino Alfonso OCD
Pics by Sr. Sunita Barretto HC

Goa, Sep 20 : The Congregation of the Handmaids of Christ celebrated the 90th anniversary of its foundation on September 19, 2024 at their Mother House at Calangute, Goa. Bishop Simião P. Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, presided over the Eucharistic celebration.Fr .Nazareth Fernandes SFX, Superior General, Society of Pilar, Fr. Polly Lobo, Parish Priest of St. Alex Church, Calangute concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration.

Delivering homily , Bishop Simião invited the faithful to praise God for the blessings He has bestowed on the Congregation and for the gift of the Founder, Monsignor Herculano Gonsalves. The Bishop, explaining the 3 R's on the occasion, invited them to Recount ( the first R) the blessings of God. "So many hands, especially Fr. Founder, pioneering sisters, and sisters who have gone before us, have played an important role in the growth of the Congregation," said the Prelate.

Stressing the second R, Renew, the Bishop invited the Congregation to renew their vision and mindset, urging them to move according to the times. Focusing on the third R, Revisit, he emphasized the need to revisit, rethink, and look toward the future with hope.

Bishop Simião further remarked that the vision of the Founder, Monsignor Herculano Gonsalves, aligns with the vision of the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025, which calls us to leave our comfort zones and go to the lonely, the sick, the poor, the youth, the elderly, and those on the peripheries. "Monsignor Herculano had a vision for the neglected and the poor," the Prelate noted. "The Jubilee 2025 is an occasion for us to move with hope," Bishop Simião concluded.

Sr. Faria Barretto HC, the Mother General of the Congregation in her address, expressed deep gratitude to God.

Emphasizing that their journey of grace is not merely a celebration of the past, she remarked, "This journey is a commitment to a future filled with hope and compassion." The Mother General reaffirmed their mission, saying, "We remain steadfast in our mission, embodying the love of Christ and serving as a beacon of hope in our quest to proclaim the good news to all we come in contact with."

She also shared the heartfelt desire among the sisters for Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves to be officially recognized as a saint.

Herculano Choir led liturgical singing.

Bishop Simião received a warm welcome from the Musical Band of Little Flower of Jesus High School, Calangute.

The Congregation of the Handmaids of Christ seized the opportunity to felicitate Bishop Simião Fernandes on his Episcopal Ordination and his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. The felicitation was conducted by Sr. Faria Barretto, Mother General of the Congregation presenting a Shawl, along with Sr. Rosy Dias HC, who presented him with a flower vase; Sr. Perpetua Vaz HC, gifted him a Grotto of Our Lady prepared by Sr Loretta Vaz HC and Sr. Apollonia Cardozo HC, who offered a memento. Novices and formees of the Congregation performed a prayer dance for the felicitation programme.

Additionally, a musical operetta depicting the life of Fr. Herculano Gonsalves, the Founder of the Congregation, was presented by the children of St. Alex Orphanage in Calangute, under the guidance of Sr. Joanita D'Souza HC and Sr. Perpetua Vaz HC, General Councilor. Felicitation Song Nysha Pereira which was composed by Neville Pereira, Manddo by Sr Dorothy Dsouza HC and Sisters presented, followed by the cutting of a Foundation Day cake. Sr. Justina Vaz HC, General Councilor, anchored the entire program . Bishop appreciated and expressed gratitude towards the congregation responding for the felicitation.Sr. Faria Barretto HC conveyed sentiments of gratitude to all.

Monsignor Herculano Gonsalves, a diocesan priest from Benaulim, Goa, founded the first indigenous Congregation in 1934 with a profound vision to embody Christ's love through compassionate service to those in need, especially children and women in distress. His mission to support the destitute, orphaned, and less privileged continues today through the Sisters of the Congregation of the Handmaids of Christ. The Congregation was canonically erected on September 24, 1949, marking this year as the 75th anniversary of its canonical establishment. The congregation comprises 137 professed members and 4 formees, with 21 communities located within the state and 11 communities extending beyond its borders.