PERPETUAL PROFESSION 2025

The Congregation of Ursuline Franciscan Sisters had the celebration of Perpetual Profession of 8 Sisters on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 at St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia, Mangalore.
These Sisters committed themselves totally to Jesus through the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience in the presence of Sr Milly Fernandes, the Superior General, the Sisters, Priests, their family members and collaborators.
Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, officiated at the solemn Eucharist along with other 23 concelebrants. In his homily, he said, “embracing a permanent commitment is one of life’s greatest challenge, it demands both courage and grace. In our moments of weakness, it is God’s strength that cultivates and uplifts our inherent goodness. God often works through those who are weak to reveal his profound glory. God has filled the hearts of our sisters with his love.” 
He also said that God has called them by name as he called ‘Mary’ to be partners with Him in spreading this most important commandment “Love and service”.
The felicitation programme after the Eucharist commenced with words of welcome followed by a greeting song by the choir for the daring step taken by our Sisters in offering themselves totally to the Lord and for His service in the Church. As the Sisters were introduced to the audiences, Sr Milly Fernandes, Superior General felicitated them and their  parents and thanked them for offering their daughters to the Ursuline family. 
Sr Milly Fernandes in her address congratulated the Sisters for their loving response to the unconditional love of God. In her message she said, that all these 8 Sisters have got ‘campus selection’ and now they are ready to go to different places to proclaim the good news of the Risen Lord. In her 4-point heart-touching note, she instructed them to live their commitment with single minded devotion, to discern with a right conscience, and face the challenges and temptations with the strength of the Eucharist, Word of God and Rosary.
She thanked the parents and family members once again for giving their daughters to the service of the Church and requested them to support them through their prayers and encouragement. She also made a request with the families and all those gathered to work for vocations to the church and the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation for the spread of the Gospel. On behalf of all Perpetually Professed Sisters Srs Shainy and Joseline expressed gratitude to all those who had been instrumental in preparing them to the perpetual profession, their parents and all those gathered to witness this beautiful event.
The fellowship meal that followed, offered an opportunity to everybody to greet the perpetually professed Sisters and their family members.
Sr Edista Paul  of African Region also made her perpetual profession along with the Sisters of Indian Provinces. It was a joyful occasion for the Congregation to accept her into the Ursuline Franciscan fold. She is the 11th perpetually professed Sister of African Region.
One Sister from North Province will make her Perpetual Profession on Saturday, 26th April at Jeevan Dhara Convent Lucknow and another 5 of North East Province on 29th April at Assisi Convent, Dimapur, Nagaland. We wish and pray that all these young Sisters may remain faithful to the Lord and to his mission and be blessed with the gift of perseverance in their holy vocation.