MARGAO
Archbishop Ferrão was delivering a homily at a thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration on the occasion of canonical erection of Pilar Sisters Association into Society of Apostolic Life of diocesan right under the name ‘Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Pilar’ at the Saviour of the World Church, Loutolim.
Archbishop Ferrão presided over the solemn Eucharistic celebration along with Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Secretary General of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, Fr Remedios Fernandes, Vicar General, Fr Francis Carvalho, Superior General of Missionary Society of St Francis Xavier (Pilar Fathers), Fr Francis D’Melo, Parish Priest, Saviour of the World Church, Loutolim, Fr Anthony Silva, Provincial, Goa Province of Pilar Fathers, Fr Romeo Monteiro, Chancellor and 65 priests as concelebrants.
“To live an intense community life, one need to be rooted in Jesus and this will help the consecrated to be united in one another and build the community wherever they serve,” Archbishop Ferrão said. “Our call is a symbol of God’s love and a fruit of Jesus’ prayer. So we need to contemplate Him and be like Him. We are called to be sent to proclaim the Gospel, to continue the service of Jesus.”
Archbishop reminded the congregation to “serve the other with love, humility and smiling face.”
Reminding the Pilar Sisters the words of Pope Francis to the Superior General of the Union of Sisters, he said that God’s motherhood should be visible through their lives.
The decree of Canonical erection the Pilar Sisters Association into Society of Apostolic life was read out by Fr Romeo Monteiro, Chancellor of the Archdiocese. Sr Izabel D’Souza, the First Superior General of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Pilar, pronounced her definitive commitment in the presence of Archbishop Ferrão. She also made a Profession of Faith.
Sr Izabel D’Souza was elected as the First Superior General of the newly formed Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Pilar, while others included in the General team are Sr Luiza Fernandes (First Councilor), Sr Nancy Barreto (Second Councilor), Sr Nina Lopes (Third Councilor) and Sr Teodolina Fernandes (Fourth Councilor).
