St. Mariam Baouardy OCDS Community, Kankanady : Temporary Promises and Initiation Rites
26th of August 2026 was a very special and memorable day for the St. Mariam Baouardy OCDS Community, Kankanady, as it was a day of a beautiful dual celebration. The first was the celebration of the feast of our patroness, St. Mariam Baouardy, and the second was the joyful occasion of three of our members making their Temporary Promises, while three other members had the Initiation Rites, entering the next stages of their formation.

This day was particularly special for our community as three of our members made their Temporary Promises for the first time since the establishment of the St. Mariam Baouardy OCDS Community, marking a significant milestone in the journey of our community. The occasion was made even more memorable as it was the first time this special celebration of the OCDS was held in the presence of the public. The presence of the wider community, families and well-wishers made this important step in the journey of our members all the more meaningful and joyful. It was truly a day of grace, thanksgiving, commitment and great joy as six members of our community took important steps forward in their Carmelite journey.

After a period of prayerful preparation and with the approval and guidance of our Spiritual Assistant, the community prepared six members for this important occasion. Three members were prepared to make their Temporary Promises, an important and concrete stage in their formation and commitment. Three other members were prepared for their Initiation Rites, entering the next stages of formation.

Members Making their Temporary Promises
• Juliet Flavia D'Silva of St. Theresa of Child Jesus
• Salomia C Norbert of the Indwelling Trinity
• Joachim D'Souza of St. Joachim

Members Receiving the Initiation Rites
• Susan Rusquinha of St. Susanna – entering Initial Formation I
• Clara Lobo – entering Aspirancy
• Carol Martha D'Souza – entering Aspirancy

The entire community accompanied these members through prayer and preparation as they approached this important milestone.

Prayerful Preparation
The candidates were prayerfully prepared for this special day. On the day before the Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration was conducted by Rev. Fr. Movin Pereira OCD. This time of prayer and adoration helped us to still our hearts, become recollected and remain present to the Lord as we prepared ourselves for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the Formation Rites. It was a grace-filled beginning to the celebration, placing the entire occasion in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Thanksgiving Mass and Formation Rites
The Holy Mass was the central liturgical celebration of the day and was offered by our community as a Thanksgiving Mass. Rev. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves OCD, our Provincial Delegate, presided over the Eucharist. Rev. Fr. Stany Listan Pinto OCD, our Spiritual Assistant, and Rev. Fr. Movin Pereira OCD, concelebrated the Holy Mass. The Mass was enriched by the active participation of our community members.

The Introduction was given by Dr. Susan Rusquinha. The First Reading was read by Joachim D'Souza. The Psalms by Juliet Flavia D'Silva. The Second Reading was proclaimed by Salomia Norbert. The Prayers of the Faithful were by Vincent Tauro and Clara Lobo.

The Formation Rites
Following the Gospel reading, the Formation Rites began under the guidance of our Spiritual Assistant, Rev. Fr. Stany Listan Pinto OCD. Rev. Fr. Movin Pereira OCD served as the commentator in Konkani, while Br.Royston Farias served as the commentator in English. Although the Holy Mass was celebrated in Konkani, the Formation Rites were conducted in English.

Clara Lobo and Carol Martha D'Souza, entering the stage of Aspirancy, were welcomed into formation and received the Carmelite emblem from the main celebrant, Rev. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves OCD, as a sign of their entry into this stage of their Carmelite journey.

Dr. Susan Rusquinha of St. Susanna requested admittance into Initial Formation I and was formally accepted into this stage of formation. The three members who had prepared themselves to make their Temporary Promises — Juliet Flavia D'Silva of St. Theresa of Child Jesus, Salomia Norbert of the Indwelling Trinity, and Joachim D'Souza of St. Joachim made their request for admittance to make their Temporary Promises. Their request was accepted by Rev. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves OCD, Provincial Delegate.

The Mass then continued with the Homily delivered by Rev. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves OCD, our Provincial Delegate. Through his reflection, he helped us to understand more deeply the significance of our vocation and gave greater clarity and meaning to the commitment being undertaken by our members.

Following the Homily, the Formation Rites continued. Dr. Susan Rusquinha, entered the Initial Formation I, received a copy of the Constitutions and a Bible and was vested with the small scapular as signs of this stage of formation.

The three members making their Temporary Promises then came forward and made their commitment to God and to the Carmelite Order for one year before Rev. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves OCD, Provincial Delegate. He received their commitment and invested them with the larger scapular, marking this important step in their formation and their deeper commitment to the Carmelite way of life.

After receiving the scapular and making their Temporary Promises, the three members signed the Temporary Promise Register, formally recording their commitment. Following the signing, the members received a blessing. After this, all the six members who had taken part in the Formation Rites were then warmly greeted by Rev. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves OCD and the concelebrating priests with the Kiss of Peace, a beautiful sign of welcome, communion and acceptance into the next stage of their journey.

The celebration brought together the entire community and the wider public in prayer, gratitude and joyful witness as six members took significant steps forward in their formation. Our community offered the Holy Mass as a Thanksgiving Mass, expressing our gratitude to God for the grace of this special occasion. The offertory was brought by our community and offered to the Cloister Carmel Sisters as an expression of gratitude and communion.
The entire celebration, including the Holy Mass and the Formation Rites, was recorded and live telecast by VLC Media through its YouTube channel, enabling the occasion to be witnessed by those beyond the gathering. After the Holy Mass, the community gathered with the priests for a group photograph, capturing the joy and gratitude of this memorable occasion.

A Joyful Gathering After the Holy Mass
The members and their families then gathered at the Cloister Carmel Parlor for a small celebration. It was a simple and joyful gathering filled with gratitude, fellowship, and happiness. Severina De Costa served as the Master of Ceremonies and introduced the program and those present. Juliet Flavia D'Silva, the President of the community, welcomed everyone and expressed her joy at being able to celebrate this special occasion together. The program continued with a simple cake-cutting ceremony in which all six members who had taken their respective steps in formation participated together. Following the cake cutting, the six members were felicitated and presented with a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as a token of love and affection.

Following the felicitation, Rev. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves, Provincial Delegate, congratulated the members and shared his thoughts on the significance of the occasion. He expressed his happiness at witnessing this beautiful step in the lives of the members and encouraged them to continue growing in their relationship with God. He also reflected on the beauty of the Carmelite vocation for lay people and encouraged the members to remain close to God and to serve Him faithfully in the midst of their ordinary lives. His words offered encouragement to continue living the Carmelite vocation with dedication, prayer and love.

Br. Joachim D'Souza shared his feelings on behalf of all six members. He expressed the happiness and gratitude experienced on this special day and spoke about the significance of taking this step together as a community. His sharing reflected the joy of the members and their appreciation for everyone who had accompanied and supported them on their journey.

The program continued with the Vote of Thanks by Salomia Norbert, who expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the celebration and supported the members through their prayers, guidance and presence. The formal program concluded with fellowship over tea and snacks, giving everyone an opportunity to relax, meet one another, and share the joy of the day.

A Celebration Made Possible by Everyone
The celebration was the fruit of the collective effort of the entire community. In preparation for the occasion, the various responsibilities were shared among the members, with everyone contributing their time, effort, and talents. The Reception Committee was led by Br. Royston, with Severina De Costa, Vincent and Joachim as members of the team. The Liturgy Committee was led by Juliet, with Dr. Susan Rasquina, Clara Lobo and Francis as members. The Arrangement Committee was headed by Rev. Fr. Stany Listan Pinto OCD, with Salomia Norbert, Carol Martha D'Souza, Santosh Rodrigues and Neil Joseph D'Souza as members.

The preparation and execution of the celebration brought everyone together. Each member contributed in different ways, and through this shared effort, the community was able to prepare and celebrate the occasion with prayer, joy, and unity. It was truly a celebration where all hands came together. The planning, practices, liturgical preparation, arrangements and service of the members helped make the day a beautiful and memorable one.

Meeting the Sisters
After the celebration, the members and their families had the opportunity to spend time with the Cloister Carmel Sisters. It was a warm and meaningful encounter, as the families too were able to meet and interact with the sisters who had welcomed everyone for this special occasion. The Sisters also sang a song for us, adding a beautiful and memorable touch to the gathering. The time spent together provided an opportunity for fellowship, gratitude, and shared joy.

A Day of Gratitude and Joy
The celebration was the fruit of prayer, preparation, and the wholehearted participation of the entire community. As part of the preparation for this special occasion, the members also had a half-day recollection at the Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte, on 23 August 2026, providing a meaningful time for prayer, reflection and spiritual preparation.

The day of the celebration brought together the community, families, friends, and well-wishers in an atmosphere of faith, joy and fellowship. The presence and support of everyone made the occasion truly memorable for our community. We remain grateful to God for the grace of this special day and for all those who accompanied us through their prayers, guidance, service and presence. Above all, the celebration strengthened our sense of togetherness and reminded us that the Carmelite journey is one we continue to walk together in faith, prayer, commitment and love.