Ursuline Franciscan Sisters induct new members

Dimapur, April 20 (EMN): With the perpetual profession of Sr. Flora Ashila (Pungro) Sr. Christina Tamut (Arunachal Pradesh) Sr. Geeta Lakra, (Assam) and temporary profession of Sr. Lily Horo (Assam) and Sr. Sushmita Horo, the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation added five more members to its fold. Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Nagaland, solemnized the occasion at Assisi Convent, Khermahal, Dimapur, on April 19. Rev. Sr. C .J. Mary, UFS, Provincial Superior, welcomed the celebrant, concelebrants, all the Sisters and in particular Sr. Shanti D’Souza, the Provincial Superior of North Province and other participants. Bishop in his introduction said that all the faithful are called by God and invited to return to God some measure what they have received from God. “These Sisters who are making the profession are offering themselves totally to God and to His service in full freedom” he stated. Bishop applauded the Sisters for their readiness to offer themselves to God and to the Church in the religious Franciscan family. Quoting Pope St. John Paul II, he said that what makes human being like God is human ability to make gift one oneself, just as God make a gift of himself to human being in the person of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis spoke of the uniqueness of vocation to religious life as one of joy. He said real joy comes does not come from possessions of things nor does it come from mere sensational experiences, which are momentary and also not from fashions and entertainment, but from self-donation, self gift which is relational. Satiating that the religious commitment that the Sisters make is the best and highest form of self donation, self gift first to God and for others and that they will find joy in its fullness. The gift of oneself to God is result of experiencing God and His love, he added. He also said the joy of the encounter with him and of his call leads not to closing ourselves but to opening ourselves; it leads to service in the Church. The newly professed sisters expressed their gratitude to God and to all those present through their songs and words of gratitude. Jacob Taggu, brother-in law of Sr. Christina Tamut spoke on behalf of the parents and relations.