Mangaluru, Nov. 6, 2019: Carmelite Family of Mangaluru Region celebrated the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Carmelite Friars in India, on November 3, 2019 at Carmel Hill, Infant Jesus Shrine.
Emeritus Bishop Aloysius D’Souza of Mangaluru celebrated the thanksgiving Eucharist. Father Archibald Gonsalves OCD preached a meaningful homily highlighting the contribution of Carmelites to the local Church.
After the Mass, a Music Dance Narrative followed on the open stage. The 8 Stages that led to the arrival of Carmelites in Goa was depicted through beautiful music, dance and narratives.
Fr. Alwyn Sequeira OCD wrote the narrative and composed the songs. Joel Pereira rendered the music and Cliyon D’Souza prepared the audiovisuals. The students of St. Agnes CBSE School performed the dances.
The contribution of Dhanraj a dance Teacher from St. Agnes School though a non-Christian and non-Konkani, was recognized and appreciated.
Father Wilfred Rodrigues OCD who was the convener of the program said Dhanraj choreographed the dances so well that the expressions synchronized with the music. Most dancers too were non-Christians. The rendition of “Havem tuka apovn hadlam” by the Carmelite Scholastics in four parts was the highlight of the program.
Earlier the president, Father Charles Serrao OCD, the provincial of Karnataka Goa Province, recalled how the Carmelites from Goa and Verapoly and the first three bishops of Mangalore took care of Canara Christians for almost 300 years and the contributions of affiliated congregations such as Cloistered Sisters, Apostolic Carmelite Sisters, Sisters of St. Teresa, and the Secular Carmel in forming this Diocese.
He also mentioned that the Carmelites were responsible for the starting of St. Joseph’s Seminary Jeppu for the formation of the local clergy and the first English Medium School in Mangaluru.
Apostolic Carmel Sister Olivia thanked all those contributed to the program. Many religious priests and nuns and lay faithful participated in the program.