by Sr Dr Mariette BS
The closing ceremony of the Bethany Educational Society's Platinum Jubilee, was celebrated on 18 September 2023 with much magnificence and splendour. The Thanksgiving Mass was presided over by Most Rev Dr Peter Machado, the Archbishop of Bangalore, in the presence of Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi, Most Rev Dr Ignatius D’Souza, Bishop of Bareilly, Most Rev Dr Ignatius Mascarenhas, Bishop of Simla-Chandigarh together many other priests at 3.30pm at Sabastian Church Bendur, Mangalore. The presence of religious from many other Congregations, parents, staff, students, well-wishers and alumni solemnized the event.
Bishop Peter Paul in his homily highlighted the accomplished journey of the Bethany Educational Society and appreciated the efforts made to educate the underprivileged, especially the girl children. He as the shepherd of this diocese laid emphasis on evangelization through education. Expounding the Word of God at the Sacrosanct Altar he invited the participants to be good news and bring good news to the poor. He also commended the collaboration rendered by the Bethany Sisters in the parishes of the Diocese of Mangalore in imparting value-based education and for being the agents of social transformation through their teaching of catechism, pastoral services and social action.
After the Eucharistic celebration the Bishops, Sr Rose Celine the Superior General and the President of the BES, the staff and student representatives offered floral tributes to the Servant of God Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas at his tomb, the Founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany and the Founder of the Bethany Educational Society® Mangalore. It was an occasion to recall his far-reaching vision and applaud his objectives for the BES in terms of promoting literature and science and general culture, diffusion of knowledge and craftsmanship, primarily for the education of Catholic youth and also for others, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. It also included to prepare through educational institutions the children, youth and adults without coercion or compulsion as citizens of India imbued with the zeal and spirit of service in keeping with the teachings of Jesus Christ and to deepen their commitment to a life of service as exemplified in Jesus Christ by means of presentation of the Gospel, through teaching, worship and witness in accordance with Christian beliefs.
The formal stage programme that followed thereafter (5.30pm) at St Sebastian Platinum Auditorium Bendur, Mangalore was a feast to the soul and mind. In her presidential address Rev Sr Rose Celine BS the President of the BES acclaimed the contribution of the visionary Founder RFC Mascarenhas and the four founding members - daring women who were teachers - in providing quality education to the rural poor especially girls,in the early twentieth century. She highlighted on the path of the BES in offering ‘Transformative Education for Fullness of Life for all, especially the poor and girl children and congratulated the stakeholders for being partners in this venture. It was truly a timely and befitting tribute one could offer to the Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas, a Champion of Education and philanthropist of a rarest blend.
Most Rev Dr Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bangalore inaugurated the Platinum Jubilee Education Project; it aimed at supporting 75 young poor rural girls from different parts of India. It was in view of helping them to complete their professional studies, paving them towards self-reliance. An amount of Rupees 75,00,000 was collected through the generous contribution made by the staff, benefactors, well-wishers and the BES itself with an intention of handing over Rupees 1,00,000 to every selected girl child.
The Honourable Mr UT Khader, Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly released the Platinum Jubilee Souvenir and lauded the contribution made by the Christian community towards unity, fraternity and integral growth of the society. He further said that the values imparted in educational institutions never go waste but bear fruit in due season. Mrs Alka Bhutani, an Alumna of St Theresa’s Higher Secondary School Karnal, Haryana gratefully acknowledged the role played by her teachers and the Management of the BES and placed on record the humanism inculcated which has shaped her personality. The local MLA honourable Mr Vedavyas Kamath expounded on the role of the educators and said that education is about gaining knowledge and acquiring skills to become a better person and create a better society to live in. Mr Yusuf Vitla the Dakshina Kannada PUC Board Secretary represented the Education Department and appreciated the humble beginnings of the BES and esteemed the pioneers for their courage and perseverance in taking education to the rural poor, especially girls when there were no roads and transport, facilities and incentives except God as the reward.
The other guests of honour included Rev Fr Vincent Monteiro the Parish priest of Bendur, Most Rev Dr Ignatius Mascarenhas, Bishop of Shimla-Chandigarh, Most Rev Dr Ignatius D’Souza, Bishop of Bareilly, Sr Linette AC- Asst Superior General representing the Superior General of the Apostolic Carmel, Rev Fr Melwyn Pinto SJ Rector St Aloysius College, Mangalore, representing the Provincial Superior of Karnataka Jesuits.
The cultural programme that was staged by the students of the BES schools exhibited the four priorities of the BES Platinum Jubilee -upholding justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, promotion of peace and harmony, caring for the mother earth and education for excellence and self-reliance. It encompassed the holistic vision of the Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas i.e. to manifest God’s compassionate love to the poorest of the poor, especially girls/women, whom society rejected; it was to make present “God-with-us,” the Emmanuel and show through tangible action that God has come to set the captives free (Cf. Lk 4: 18). Truly the celebration evoked sentiments of gratitude towards the visionary – Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas. May his dream for the poor be realized everywhere and his legacy live on!