Sr. Priya Fernandes of Moodubelle takes final religious vows in Varanasi

By Fr. Raymond DSouza, Allahabad
Bellevision Media Network

 

Varanasi, 05 October 2010:  During a solemn  and touching religious ceremony held at St. Joseph’s Church, Lohata Mission in the Diocese of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, 4th October 2010 at 4.30 pm, Sr. Priya, daughter of  Albert and Mary Fernandes of  Kudur, St. Francis Xavier II Ward of Moodubelle Parish along with her two other  companions, after six years of intensive training, dedicated   her life, in the service of God and humanity, and professed the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for the congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary(FSM) in the   presence of a large gathering consisting of Rt. Rev. Raphy Manjaly, Bishop of Varanasi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Isidore Fernandes, Bishop of Allahabad Diocese , Rt. Rev.  Gerald  Almeida, Bishop of Jabalpur Diocese, Sr. Tara, the Provincial Superior of the FSM, priests, religious and lay people.

 

 

The ceremony began with an entrance dance by the hostel girls, run by the sisters, Lohata, Varanasi.  Sr. Priya  was escorted and later offered by her parents,  Albert and Mary Fernandes who were present for this great event along with Sr. Priya’s maternal uncle, Pascal Martis from Mumbai. Sr. Priya’s  uncle Rev. Fr. Lawrence Fernandes and her cousin brother, Rev. Fr. Raymond D’Souza  from the Diocese of Allahabad were also present for the solemn Eucharistic ceremony. The Bishop, Raphy  Manjaly exhorted them to be self sacrificing and devote their lives totally to spread the message of Jesus. He,  in depth explained to them the meaning of the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

 

After the Eucharistic celebration, the three sisters who had taken their final vows cut the cake and shared their joy with everyone. 

 

Sr. Priya had her education in Moodubelle up to PUC. After joining the convent and taking first vows, Sr. Priya had her first posting Jabalpur in MP where she completed her graduation with BCom degree. Later she served as a teacher in the Holy Angel’s School at Shahajahanpur in the Bareilly Diocese for two years. Thereafter, Sr. Priya worked for a year in the organisation called Asmita in Varanasi. 

 

Sr. Priya says that the inspiration to join the religious order  came from her aunt, Sr. Helen Fernandes who had also joined the Franciscan Sisters of Mary religious order.