Mangalore Diocese News

CT News
Photos: Stanly Bantwal

Mangaluru, Jan 3 : The centenary year of St Agnes College (Autonomous) was inaugurated with all grandeur, here on Friday, 3rd January 2020.

The celebration commenced with the inauguration of the Mother Mary Aloysia Centenary Block by Superior General Sr M Susheela A.C and was blessed by Mangalore bishop Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha.

A thanksgiving Eucharist was celebrated by Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha as the main celebrant and was joined by Mangalore Diocese Bishop Emeritus Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Udupi Bishop Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo and several other priests. Karnataka Jesuit Province Provincial Superior Fr Dr Jerome Stanislaus D’Souza SJ preached the homily. After the Mass, a short felicitation programme was held in the auditorium.

The formal inauguration of the Centenary Year was held on Friday evening in the presence of spiritual leaders, political representatives and distinguished guests and dignitaries including the Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University, Prof. Yadapidithaya. The institution felicitated and acknowledged the contribution of eminent donors and benefactors with gratitude and mementoes.

In her inaugural address, Superior General Sr M Susheela AC reminded the effort put in by the institution founder Mother Mary Aloysia A.C. “She was a great visionary who had a dream to empower young girls in society. Walking in her footsteps, we aim to take forward her dreams and make a difference in the society. Today, we are celebrating a century of education and service. Mother Aloysia’s life and work teaches us that to have everlasting lasting fruits one needs to strive and not act mediocre at any point in life. The key to success consists of Purpose, Passion, Plan and Perseverance,” she said.

“I feel at home again almost after four decades, since I graduated from this College. I come from an era, where society expected their girls to get married and concentrate on family. I consider myself as a rebel, who questioned on why a girl can’t achieve her ambitions. This college gave wings to my dreams. I remember the contributions of my teachers, especially the support given by the then St Agnes Principal Sr Aloysius. This institution has empowered each of its students to lead a life gracefully. If we educate a man, we educate a person, but by educating a woman, we educate a generation,” said Meera Rao , Director, St Rambus Inc USA, who is also an alumna of the College from the 1981 batch.

In his presidential address, the Bishop Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha spoke on how St Agnes is a model to all women, who strive to achieve their goals. “St Agnes was beheaded because she chose to serve the Lord and refused to marry the governor’s son. But she stuck to what she believed in and ended up becoming a role model to thousands of girls.”

Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Professor P S Yadapadithaya said that St Agnes College is famed for its quality of education and stands out among other institutions. The alumnae of this college have reached great heights.

Mangalore North Constituency MLA U T Khader also spoke on the occasion.

In her welcome address, St Agnes College Principal Sr Dr Jeswina AC pointed out that St Agnes College is a legacy of the sisters of the Apostolic Carmel that was instituted to commemorate the golden years of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation, founded by Mother Veronica and established in India in 1870. "The Centenary Year and all the celebrations remind us of the second superior general of the Apostolic Carmel Mother Mary Aloysia, the founder of St Agnes College and a pioneering visionary in the mission of education," she said.

The donors who contributed generously for the Mother Aloysia Centenary Block were honoured. Ivory Grand Real Estate Managing Director Michael D’Souza, Faizal and Shabana Foundation directors Shabana and Faizal represented by Dr Joseph Sebastian, Dockendale Shipping Co Ltd former Chairman Leslie J Fernandes, Hyssna International Managing Director Ronald Pinto, The World Banks Consultant-African Development Bank former senior advisor Brian Pinto who was represented by his sister Dr Gerlyn Pinto and other contributors were felicitated on the occasion.

MLC Ivan D’Souza and Mangaluru South Constituency former MLA J R Lobo released the centenary year calendar of events. The institution has planned a hundred events for the year and plans a grand finale of the year in January 2020. The first event that is coming up is Knowledge Factory and is scheduled to be held on Friday the 10th of January 2020.

The formal programme was followed by a cultural evening with spectacular performances that represented the cultures of India and also presented how women were empowered through education and the role of St Agnes College in this regard."