Celebration of the Patroness of the Province at Sadbhavana
The community of Sadbhavana joyfully celebrated the Solemnity of St. Teresa of Avila, the Patroness of the Province, on October 15, 2024. The Solemn Festal Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Thomas Kalariparambil, MSFS, Provincial of the South West India Province, in the presence of the OCD friars from the Bengaluru Region, religious priests from neighbouring communities, religious sisters, benefactors, and close associates of Sadbhavana.

The Eucharistic celebration began at 6:30 p.m., with the liturgy beautifully animated by Fr. Richard Saldanha and the soulful hymns led by the Cathedral Choir of Bengaluru. In his homily, Fr. Thomas highlighted the remarkable life and enduring legacy of St. Teresa of Avila, both within the Church and particularly in the Carmelite tradition. He invited the faithful to walk in the footsteps of this strong and courageous saint, whose profound spiritual insights and reformative zeal continue to inspire generations of Christians and Carmelites alike.

Following the Mass, Fr. Silvestre D’Souza, Provincial Superior on behalf of the Sadbhavana community expressed heartfelt gratitude to the attending priests and religious sisters for their unwavering support to Sadbhavana and the Province. He extended special thanks to the benefactors, acknowledging their steadfast monetary contributions and prayerful assistance, which have been pivotal in sustaining the mission of the province. He also took a moment to recognize the invaluable contributions of Sadbhavana's close associates, whose dedicated service and support continue to enrich the community and assist in its administration.

In a notable gesture of appreciation, the SMMI sisters and their Provincial were specially thanked for their generous donation of the land on which Sadbhavana now stands—a gift that has greatly benefited the Carmelite community. Concluding his address, Fr. Provincial highlighted the Province's growth and achievements, noting that it now holds a leading position in terms of numbers. He urged all present to continue praying fervently for the intentions of the Carmelites, as they carry forward their mission in faith and dedication.