News

Report by, Sr Cynthia Pais BS, Provincial Councillor, Bangalore Province

23 January 2025 was a very significant day for the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany Mangalore. When this day was at hand, the Sisters felt thrilled for joy as they reminisced with a passionate cheer the post centenary golden jubilee of the birth and post centenary silver jubilee of the ordination day of the revered Founder of the Congregation, Servant of God Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas.

Born on Saturday, 23rd January 1875, on the feast of St Raymond of Penyafort at Shimoga, Karnataka to a devout, pious and God-fearing couple Mr Lazarus and Mrs Joanna Mascarenhas, he was officially called as Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas (RFC). In pursuance of his inner voice, Raymond joined St Joseph’s Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Mangalore on 23 February 1891. On completing his philosophy and theology studies, Rt Rev Cavadini SJ, the then Bishop of Mangalore, ordained Raymond to the priesthood on Saturday, 4 March 1900 at the Cathedral, dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, Mangalore.

While the Congregation opened houses in various dioceses it had a dream of having a community in the birthplace of the Founder. Sr Jyoti, the then Superior General, had expressed this desire to Most Rev Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Shimoga. The dream was realized when the Bishop extended an invitation to Bethany to open a house in the birthplace of the Founder. Having followed all the procedures, the new community was erected on 30 May 2005 while Sr Bonita was the Provincial Superior.
When our Founder was recognised as Servant of God on 3 June 2008, the parishioners of Sacred Heart Cathedral were overwhelmed with joy. They joined the Sisters to celebrate this joyful event with a solemn Eucharist and a short programme in honour of a great Man of God who was one of their own.

Behold this momentous day in the history of our Congregation - 23 January2025! It was heart-warming to celebrate the Twin Jubilee of our Founder at his birth place! Sisters of Bangalore Province and the parishioners of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shimoga were jubilant and eager to celebrate this day! Sisters under the leadership of Sr Sahana, Provincial Superior of Bangalore Province, invited Most Rev Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of Shimoga along with Fr Stany D’Souza, Vicar General, to officiate at the Eucharist at 6.30 am. A few priests from the diocese and the Carmelite priests from the neighbourhood concelebrated the Mass along with the Bishop. The presence of Sr Mariette, the General Councillor and the General Coordinator for the Cause for the Promotion of Beatification of the Founder representing the Superior General spread the ripples of joy around. Sr Sahana and her team, Sisters from the Generalate, Bangalore, Mangalore and Western Provinces and from the Mother House community made this celebration more exciting. Presence of Sisters from other Congregations added decor to the celebration.

Sr Winnifred Mascarenhas, the Asst Provincial Superior gave an introduction before Mass citing the importance of the day and welcoming all for the Eucharist. In his homily the Bishop acknowledged gratefully the contributions of the Founder to the society and the service of Bethany Sisters not only to the Diocese, but also to the Church in India and world at large. He offered prayers for the beatification of the Founder. Sr Cynthia Pais, Provincial Councillor acknowledged the presence and assistance of all for the success of this great event. At the end of the Mass, the Bishop and all the priests paid their homage to the Founder by strewing flowers. The parishioners and the Sisters too offered their respect to our Founder; it was an adorable spectacle. The pictures of the Founder were distributed to all the parishioners. Breakfast was served to all the invitees.

The Congregation is grateful for the encouragement and cooperation rendered by Most Rev Bishop Francis Serrao, Rev Fr Stany D’Souza, Vicar General and the Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shimoga and the parishioners to celebrate this day in the parish in honour of our Founder. We pray that God may raise our Founder to the honours of the altar, a Saint for the Church and the world.