India. On 13 and 24 May 2021, the Provinces of India celebrated Perpetual Professions and First Professions in the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
Perpetual Profession is a public and ecclesial act, a definitive consecration which commits the FMA to give herself totally to God in joyful service to young people, according to the spirit of the Preventive System of St. John Bosco and St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello.
With their First Profession, the novices of the second year freely give themselves to God and undertake to live the evangelical counsels according to the Constitutions of the FMA Institute, proclaiming Christ to young people.
Mary Help of Christians Province – INC
On 24 May 2021, Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, eight FMA from Mary Help of Christians Province (INC) made their Perpetual Profession in the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians at the Chapel of the Auxilium Aspirantate in Barasat, Calcutta.
Coming from the Indian Dioceses of Darjeeling, Miao, Kohima, Rourkela, Shillong, Berhampur, they are an expression of unity in cultural and linguistic diversity.
The Solemn Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by the Archbishop of Calcutta, His Eminence Thomas D’Souza, and concelebrated by Fr. Thomas Biji, a Salesian of Don Bosco. In his homily, the Archbishop praised the New Perpetuals for their courage in saying “Here I am Lord, send me” like the patriarch Abraham in the Old Testament.
On the same day, with the motto “Called to be signs of hope“, eight Novices from Sacred Heart of Jesus Novitiate in Ranchi made their First Profession in the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
The Holy Mass was presided over by Msgr. Theodore Mascherenahas, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Ranchi, and by the Secretary, Fr. Sushil Toppo. In his homily, the Bishop spoke of the religious vocation, saying, “Our call as religious is the call to be in contact with Jesus, to abide in Him, because separated from Him we are like broken branches. Become hope for the Church, for the young people, and the people around you, as you have expressed with the motto you have chosen”.
The vows of the eight Newly Professed were received by Sr. Lily D’Souza, Animator of St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello Community of Ranchi, Delegate of the Superior General of the FMA Institute, Mother Yvonne Reungoat.
“St. Mary Mazzarello” Province (INB)
On 13 May 2021, Feast of St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello, four FMA pronounced their “yes forever” to God in the Communities of Bl. Laura Vicuña (Ahmednagar), Auxilium (Baroda), St. Maria D. Mazzarello (Kasarkod) , Christ the King, Light of the World (Pansora) because of the the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The motto of Perpetual Profession, “Called to be bearers of hope”, expresses the desire to be, with God’s grace, signs of hope in this time of pandemic, especially for the poor.
On 24 May 2021, at Don Bosco Parish of Nashik, four Novices of Sacred Heart Novitiate of Nashik, together with six Novices of the Salesians of Don Bosco, made their First Profession, presided over by Fr. Ashley Miranda, SDB, Vicar of the Province of Saint Francis Xavier of Bombay.
“Sacred Heart of Jesus Province” (INK)
On 24 May 2021, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Provincial House in Bangalore, with the motto “Called to be witnesses of hope, love, and peace”, three young women made their First Profession in the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
On the same day, three Daughters of Mary Help of Christians made their Perpetual Profession, pronouncing their “yes forever” to God and young people with the motto, “Rooted in Christ, to radiate God’s love to young people“.
The Holy Mass was celebrated by three Salesians of Don Bosco from Sacred Heart Province (INK) and was followed in live streaming by relatives, friends, FMA, due to the health emergency.
“St. Thomas Apostle” Province (INM) and “Our Lady of the Snow” Province (INT)
On 24 May 2021, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Novitiate in Manikandam, Tiruchirapalli, nine second-year Novices, six from the INM Province and three from the INT Province, made their First Profession in the FMA Institute. Present were the Provincial of INM, Sr. Lazar Maria Nirmala, the Novice Formator, the first year Novices, and the FMA of the Community.
The Formator, Sr. Michaela Cruz Anthoni said when introducing them, “It all started with Mary and it is Mary who did everything. Looking to Mary, we hope that, like her, these young sisters will accept the challenge to respond to God’s plan in their lives and blossom as her daughters, committed to serving suffering young people. May Mary be their model and accompany them in this time of pandemic”.
