Large number of Jesuit family members gather in Mangalore

On : 2023-05-28

A large number of family members of Jesuits from Mangalore and coastal region came for the Jesuit family get together held at Loyola hall, St Aloysius PU College (SAPUC) on Sunday, May 28. The day’s programme began with the eucharist officiated by Provincial Fr Dionysius Vaz. Fr Francis Fernandes preached the homily.

In his homily, Fr Francis highlighted the significance of the feast of the Pentecost and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. “If Bethlehem was God With us and Calvary was God for us, Pentecost was God in us,” Fr Francis said. He also said that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that every believer can carry on the mission given to us by Jesus Christ.

After the eucharist, a brief get together followed. Dr Judy Pinto, sister of Fr Gratian Carlo of Kohima region, spoke on behalf of Jesuit families. In her message, she described Jesuits as men of prayer, obedient, simple and excellent in everything they do. “I have an association with Jesuits for over 30 years teaching in St Aloysius College. And a bit of their quality of striving for excellence has come to me as well,” she said.

Provincial Fr Vaz in his message thanked the Jesuit families for coming in large numbers. Quoting Pope Francis, he said that ‘give me good families, and I will give you good priests’. “Karnataka Jesuits are in demand. Every other province and international Jesuit houses too ask for Jesuits from Karnataka and Kohima. However, we cannot meet the demand. But, I must tell you that because these Jesuits have come from good families, they can face any missionary challenge,” he added.

Asha Kiran scholastics enacted a short musical drama on vocation, while students from SAPUC performed the welcome dance. A video on Jesuit life prepared by Fr Anthony Arul and team was played. The families were given a memento each. Frs Anil D’Mello, Melwin J. Pinto, Ronald Pais and Anush D’Cunha coordinated the programme.

Family members were seen interacting with one another and Jesuits during and after the sumptuous meal. Many of them also visited the iconic St Aloysius Chapel and the College museum.