Inauguration of our Ministry at Capannori, Lucca
Sunday, the 7th of March, 2021, will go down in the history of the Karnataka-Goa Province as a defining moment in its missionary journey, as it marked the formal inauguration of the apostolic ministry of its friars at the Santuario La Madonnina, Capannori, in the Archdiocese of Lucca, Italy. The Archbishop, Mons. Paolo Giulietti, officially installed Rev. Frs. Alwin Aranha OCD and Selva Kumar OCD as the Rector and Vice-rector respectively of this Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Mt Carmel, at the 6:00 p.m. Solemn Eucharistic Celebration. The Provincial of the Central Italian Province, Rev. Fr Gabriele Morra OCD, in the introduction, thanked the Karnataka-Goa Province for graciously accepting the mission here at Capannori. The new Rector, Rev. Fr Alwin Aranha OCD, at the conclusion of the celebration, recalled the untiring labours of the European missionaries that contributed to the spread of the faith in India, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the privilege to return the favour. Among the concelebrants were also diocesan priests of the neighbouring parishes, as well as Rev. Fr Manoj Braganza OCD, Superior of the community at Empoli. With due respect to the pandemic regulations, the devotees of the Shrine gathered in large numbers to welcome the new friars and to express their gratitude to them. Prominent among them was the Mayor of the town, Sig. Luca Menesini, who made it a point acquaint himself with the new community after the mass, generously promising his continued support and assuring his help whenever needed. May the blessings of God and the affection of the faithful continue to accompany this new mission of the Karnataka-Goa Province in the days ahead.