HASSAN CARMEL TURNS SILVER!
We thank God for all the blessings he has showered on the community of OCD Nuns at Hassan Carmel.

Initially the inauguration of the Carmel was fixed for 8th of December, 1992, but because of the Ayodhya problem, it had to be shifted to 14th of December. Fr. Gregory D'Souza OCD (then Provincial) and Fr. Joe Tauro (then First Prov. Councillor) braved the hostile and tensed situation prevailing around and made it in time for the Eucharistic celebration.

Now 25 years later, the thanksgiving Mass was celebrated on 14th of December, 2017, presided over by Most Rev. Thomasappa Anthony Swamy, the Bishop of Chickmagalur. There were 22 priests who concelebrated. At the beginning the following lighted the Jubilee lamp: The Bishop, Fr Charles Serrao (Provincial), Fr. Ronald Cardoza (Parish Priest of Hassan), Fr. Dominic Savio SDB (Superior of the Salesians, who are their regular chaplains), Fr. James Gonsalves SJ (Confessor), Sr. Jacintha OCD (representing the Mother Carmel of Mangalore), Sr. Cynthia (Sisters of Charity, representing the religious) and Mrs. Zita Sham (representing the benefactors and friends).

The four inmates of the Carmel (Srs. Anne Therese, Mary Josepha, Mary Paul and Mary Naomi) who were pioneers of the foundation had a very prominent role in the Liturgy. While Sr. Anne Therese read a brief history of the Carmel at the beginning of the Eucharst, all the four presented symbolic gifts at the offertory. Fr. Charles Serrao, Provincial Superior, preached a homily in which he highlighted the example of St John of the Cross. At the end of the Solemn Eucharist, Fr. Silvestre D'Souza OCD thanked all on behalf of the community. This was followed by a fellowship meal.

A BRIEF HISTORY: It was the desire of the first Bishop of Chickmagalur, Most Rev. Alphonse Mathias to have a Carmel in his Diocese from the beginning (1963) but it got realized only after he was transferred to Bangalore, and was succeeded by Most Rev. J. B. Seuqeira. We have to recall some nuns who rendered their service to the Carmel at different periods of time: Srs. Lilia (Mangalore Carmel) and Josephine (Trichy Carmel). Later there was Sr. Rosemira who expired in 2003. At present there are 12 members. Besides the four pioneers the others are: Srs. Mercy, Mary Emmanuel, Maria Jyothi, Mary Theresia, Caroline, Nina (from Chicalim Carmel), Reena (from Mangalore Carmel) and Marie Elizabeth, the present Prioress (from Baroda Carmel).

We gratefully acknowledge the role of Mangalore Carmel, from where this foundation was planned and then formed. While Mangalore is the oldest Carmel in the Province (est. in 1870), Hassan is the youngest (est. in 1992).

Our felicitations to the community on crossing this milestone. May God bless you all and grant you good vocations.