Rourkela: This was a joyous day, a solemn day, truly a day of the Lord on the feast of Nativity of mother Mary on September 8, 2016, where 19 Sisters of Handmaids of Mary (HM) took the final profession at Risen Christ Church, Kalunga in the presence of two Bishops-Most Rev John Barwa,SVD the Archbishop of Cuttack BBSR and Most Rev. Kishor Kumar Kujur, bishop of Rourkela. “Final vows are supposed to mean final commitment, no going back, no changing your mind, no breaking the promise. They’re called consecrated religious, which means that they’ve taken sacred vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience” said Bishop Kujur.
The ceremony was presided over by the bishop of Rourkela. Archbishop urged in his homily, especially for final professed sisters to be committed and faithful to their calls. He emphasized that the faith relationship is greater than blood relationship. He also appreciated bishop Kujur and thanked God for this historical event where 19 sisters took perpetual vow for the service of God and whole humanity.
There were Rev. Sr. Teresa Dung Dung Handmaids of Mary (HM) Superior General and Rev. Sr. Emillia Lakra, HM provincial superior. The liturgy was solemnized by the active participation of priests about 40, religious sisters about 55 and faithful about 2000.
This was a joyous day, a solemn day, truly a day of the Lord. You can count on our support, you can count on our continued prayers, you can count on our challenge, and you can be most assured of our fraternal love.
Dear Sisters, may the Lord who called you in the beginning bless you for your response to his beckon,summon or call. May he shower you with the grace of perseverance and fidelity?
This congregation was founded by Fr. Edmund Harrison, SJ in 1944 in Kesramal, Roukela. A Congregation whose primary purpose is the teaching of religion and catechism to both children in schools and people in the villages in a concrete, practical, adapted and appealing way, so that all may learn to love and practice well their religion.