Cloistered Carmelite Nuns SW India Association

Report of the Visit of our Superior General and Definitory                                     along with all the participants of the Extraordinary  Definitory  In Goa on 8^th Feb                                          To our Carmel of Holy Trinity .Goa –Chicalim

                                   

 8^th 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 8^th 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.