In a momentous step filled with reverence and spiritual hope, the Holy Family Sisters formally began the public devotion to their founder, Fr. Faustino de Souza, during a solemn Eucharistic celebration held at their headquarters at Sancoale, Goa, on April 24.
This event marks the beginning of efforts toward official Church recognition of his sanctity and encourages the faithful to seek spiritual favors through his intercession.
Presided over by Fr. Peter Fernandes sfx, the Mass centered on the theme: "Like Fr. Faustino, let us live in holiness and hope."
In his homily, Fr. Peter reflected on Fr. Faustino’s deep spirituality, his connection to St. Francis Xavier and Fr. Agnelo de Souza, and his divine inspiration in founding the congregation.
He emphasized that Fr. Faustino recognized the call to establish the Holy Family Sisters even before its formal founding, sending young women to the Bethany Sisters in Mangalore for formation — a foundational step in the birth of the congregation.
After the Mass, sisters, parents, and boarders gathered at Fr. Faustino’s bust, where they prayed a special prayer composed and released by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão on the 50th anniversary of the Founder’s death.
A touching candle-lighting ceremony followed, symbolizing personal prayers and intentions entrusted to Fr. Faustino’s intercession.
The spiritual atmosphere deepened with heartfelt devotional expressions. One sister shared a moving testimony of an instantaneous miracle attributed to Fr. Faustino’s intercession, witnessed during the anniversary Mass at St. Michael’s Church, Anjuna.
Original songs composed and sung by Sr. Myra Mendes and the candidates, along with a graceful welcome dance, added beauty and depth to the program. Fr. Peter Fernandes was honored with a potted plant as a token of gratitude.
Sr. Myra Mendes concluded the event with a vote of thanks, while Sr. Valentina Vaz compared the entertainment segment.
This memorable celebration laid a spiritual foundation for growing devotion to Fr. Faustino de Souza, inspiring the faithful to recognize his holiness and encouraging all to seek his powerful intercession.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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