Report of the Visit of our Superior General and Definitory along with all the participants of the Extraordinary Definitory In Goa on 8th Feb To our Carmel of Holy Trinity .Goa –Chicalim
8th Feb . 2019 will be an
unforgettable day for us and this event will go down in red letters in the
Chronicles of our Monastery as the most memorable event. A year ago Rev Fr.
Charles Serrao our Provincial had expressed his desire to have this visit to
our Carmel. So in preparation for this event the work of
painting and giving a new look to our Monastery began much in advance.
On 8th Feb., the immediate
preparations started. A large welcome poster was placed at the main entrance. The
convent premises was shining and every corner was beautified by a pot of flowers
and pots as also the corridors and cloisters were bedecked with floral
arrangements and a welcome board was hung with ‘welcome’ written in various languages.
Sharp
at 4pm, with the pealing of the bells the arrival of our guests was announced.
Our Extern sisters welcomed them at the gate and Fr. Tauro directed them at the
main door to the Chapel. Rev Father General and all visitors gathered in the Chapel,
than Mother Theresita welcomed them with a welcome Speech expressing the joy of
this event and thanking them for this privilege – the first Carmel in India
visited by them.
Our
Joy was doubled as it was combined with the day of our foundation – Chicalim
Carmel completing its 72 years. The Provincial of California Fr. …….. translated
the speech in Italian simultaneously.
We had the joy of listening to our Father
General sharing his joy to visit us and also he appreciated the support our Carmelite
Order receives through our prayer and the success of this Extraordinary
Definitory. In a way he reminded us of our response to the teaching of Cor Orans.
He said that he is happy to have this sister-brother relationship under the
Patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as
our Mother and Queen. He
assured us all their help to live our Carmelite Vocation in the Church as the
Beacon of Light in the world. We were invited to sing the Salve Regina in honor
of Mother of Carmel, it was a heartwarming moment to be part of this solemn and
melodious Praise to our Blessed Mother of Carmel.
Then
our Rev. Fr. Charles Serrao ushered them in to the Choir, where the community
was assembled. In the presence of the community Mother Theresita welcomed Rev. Fr. General with a bouquet of
flowers amidst joys and smiles, of all those present.
As
Fr. General was lead to the monastery, the community placed themselves in the
garden with musical instruments swaying in rhythm to welcome them with welcome songs
in English, Italian and Spanish.. All were in smiles and they too joined in
singing the songs. It was very amusing to see that Fathers were interested to
find the welcome board in their own languages and express their joy and also the
few who did not find their language expressed
spontaneously their disappointment. It was so beautiful to see all the Sisters so happy to interact with all.
Fathers
were so happy to find the community so free and lively .Fr. General was
comparing us to the community that of Holy Mother and with that Teresian simplicity
and joy.
Next
we led them to the Sick Sr. Mary Mount Carmel and rest of them to the open
garden near the cemetery. They were so happy to be in the open place inquiring
about the different trees.
It was truly a
meeting of Brothers and Sisters of Holy
Mother St. Teresa. We were introduced to all the different Definitors and were also
happy to meet amidst them our very dear previous Fr. General Rev. Fr. Luis Arostegui. After a few snapshots
all were taken to the refectory for a tea party.
Refectory was arranged tastefully with flower
pots and a poster showing our son ship and daughter ship under the patronage of
our Lady of Mount Carmel. The tables were decorated and arranged in a western
style all with Glass wares helped by one of our ocds member. Snacks included Western, Goan and Indian ,with
cashew nuts and fruits. It was so nice to see the joy and free interaction of
all .It also included a water float flower arrangement with lights.Fr. Johannes
said “for our Carmelite simplicity there was nothing more that could be done and
all was excellent and more than very good. “Fathers were so free to express
their joy to taste everything and to know about Goan sweets and Indian snacks.
As every event comes to an end so
also this event. After expressing the satisfaction of this day in different
ways all bade good bye with smiles and repeatedly expressed their gratitude. At
the end all were given a souvenir in remembrance of this Historic event in our Carmel.
