The 4th of November always evokes a profound sense of gratitude in the hearts of all the SCJMs, as we commemorate every year the birthing of our Congregation. This year we celebrated the 222nd year of its establishment and the elevation of our Founder Peter Joseph Triest to the status of the Venerable. On this auspicious occasion, the Delhi Province had the joy of celebrating the Perpetual Vows of five junior Sisters: Asha Murmu, Anisha Rani Gidh, Silbiya Barla, Anshu Xess and Pricilla Lakra. We rejoiced and gave thanks to God for their precious life and their total commitment and surrender to the Lord.

The Perpetual Vows was arranged at the Parish Church- St. Devasahayam Church, Gurgaon. The Holy Eucharist was solemnized by Rt. Rev. Dr. Deepak Valerian Tauro, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Delhi. The whole ceremony was based on the theme: “Called to be the Hope for the Hopeless”, a theme which resonated within the Universal Church with the Synod on Synodality.

The main celebrant, the concelebrants, Sr. Lucy Emmanuel, the Provincial, Sr. Moly Augustine, the Tertian mistress, our five junior Sisters and their parents were led to the alter by the women of the parish with their lively and rhythmic steps. Bishop Deepak laid great stress during the homily on the prayers used during the Profession ceremony itself from the beginning till the end. He said that every word speaks volumes and it is worth spending time to understand its depth and meaning of consecrated life.

The presence of a number of priests from the diocese, religious brothers and sisters from around Gurgaon, parishioners, SCJMs from all the nearby communities and above all the presence of many relatives of the Sisters who were making the profession truly added joy to the auspicious occasion. A few of our Sisters, Postulants and brothers from the Minor Seminary of Delhi Archdiocese lend their melodious voices to making the singing beautiful and we are indebted to Rev. Fr. Wilfred D’Souza, the Parish priest who trained them. The whole ambience of the Church with the beautiful and delicate decoration was fitting for the special moment.

After the Holy Mass, the perpetually professed Sisters were greeted in the Church itself as they cut the cake. That was followed by greetings, photos, gifts, etc. Finally, everyone proceeded to the hall above the Church for a sumptuous agape.

Sr. Teresa Thomas