WITH YOU AND FOR YOU ALONE
“I just thread the needle; it is God who does the work.” – Mary of Jesus Crucified. Carmel has one hundred and one reasons to rejoice but the greatest among them all is the joy of Our Lady handing over her mantle to her young brothers who desire to follow her steps closely under her patronage. With the theme “Tuje Sangim, Tuje Khatir” (With You, for You), eight young brothers zealously stepped forward to pledge their allegiance to Jesus Christ for life. By vowing Chastity, Poverty and Obedience, they displayed heroic courage and dedicated themselves for the service of the Church. These soldiers in the Carmelite battalion are Ronald Pudthado, Aaron Babusha Rodrigues, Jason Cutinho, Naveen Lobo, Rakeshbhai Parmar, Melwin Lasrado, Nikesh D’Souza and Kiran Lobo.

Come what may, despite the Pandemic forcing the dates to be shifted thrice, it was ordained that these brothers should become full-fledged Carmelites on the day of the blessed birth of St. John the Baptist i.e. 24th June 2021. Thus, the solemn mass was held at 3:30 PM in the Infant Jesus Shrine, Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte, Mangalore. The strict protocols of the pandemic disallowed the gathering of the faithful in the church. Nevertheless, with the esteemed presence of our neighbouring communities of Ryshivana (Ranipura), Asha Deepa (Madanthyar), Koteshwar, Fr Rudolph Raj Pinto, the newly Doctor in Liturgy and Fr Elias D’Cunha (Representing Empoli, Italy), Rev Fr Provincial Pius James D’Souza gladly celebrated the Holy Eucharist. He exhorted the brothers with the paternal concern declaring that the profession of vows isn’t something technical like an issuing of a contract. Rather, it is entering the holy covenant with the Lord which is everlasting and self-giving. He then received them into the Carmelite fold through their pronouncement of the vows. The brothers in turn prostrated in front of the altar while the friars joined voices in raising them to Christ through the chanting of the Litany of the Saints. They were then welcomed with the traditional kiss of peace. The brothers showed their gratefulness to God and for their vocation by singing a blissful hymn in thanksgiving. As the parents and the families of the brothers were not present and since the mass was live streamed, Fr. Provincial duly acknowledged the sacrifice of the parents for offering their sons for the service of Christ. He also expressed his thanks to Fr. Charles Serrao, the superior of the Monastery and Fr. Lancy Lewis, the master of students for their contribution in the spiritual upbringing of the brothers. The entire liturgy was intricately developed and animated by Fr. Barnabas Monis and the younger brothers lent their voices for the melodious choir. After the vespers, a felicitation was organized for our new armed soldiers after which followed the celebratory meal. The K.G. Province congratulates these Brothers and accompanies them through our fraternal and prayerful support.