India: Shepherds after God's own heart

The theme "Shepherds After God's Own Heart" echoed powerfully during the Founders' Day celebration and the felicitation of Simao Purificação Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, held on October 10, 2024, at the Holy Family Sisters' convent in Sancoale, Goa.

The celebration was a vibrant testament to the spirit of service and love embodied by both the community's founder, Fr. Faustino De Souza, and Bishop Fernandes.

The event commenced with a warm floral welcome extended by Superior General Sr. Berna Rodrigues, followed by a graceful dance performance by the hostel girls, setting a joyous tone for the day.

Bishop Fernandes, the honored guest, presided over the Holy Eucharist, concelebrated by Rev. Frs. Kenneth, Johnsie, Savio, Marcelino, Xavier, Jorge, and Francis Vetuparkil.

The Mass served as a moment of thanksgiving for the visionary founder, Fr. De Souza, whose legacy continues to inspire.

In his homily, Bishop Fernandes offered profound reflections, beginning with a poignant story of a mother’s selfless love during an earthquake. Amid disaster, the mother fed her child by cutting her own vein to offer her blood, symbolizing the depth of unconditional love.

The Bishop compared this maternal sacrifice to the love of the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep—a central theme in John 10:11.

He further elaborated on three key points inspired by the day’s readings. First, he emphasized the importance of inner disposition, citing 1 Samuel 16:7, where God looks beyond outward appearances to the heart.

Fr. Faustino De Souza’s life was marked by this very quality—a deep, selfless love for others, which serves as a call for everyone to cultivate a similar disposition of service.

Next, he spoke about service and sacrifice, urging the faithful to embody the example of the Good Shepherd, much like Fr. De Souza, who tirelessly served others until his final moments. Even from his sickbed, Fr. De Souza famously declared, “I want to work till I die; I continue my apostolate from here.”

Lastly, Bishop Fernandes touched on the challenges faced by those who choose to serve, likening them to the mother in his story, who persevered despite overwhelming adversity.

Similarly, Fr. De Souza encountered criticism and obstacles, but he remained unwavering in his mission. The Bishop encouraged all to remain steadfast in their commitment, especially when faced with difficulties.

The celebration concluded with a sense of renewed dedication, as the community honored their founder’s legacy of selfless love and service, embodying the heart of a true shepherd after God's own heart.

One of the defining qualities of a true shepherd is the ability to know and accept others fully, just as the Good Shepherd knows his sheep by name and accepts them as they are (John 10:3).

The founder, Fr. Faustino De Souza, exemplified this by understanding the needs of his sisters, neighbors, and community, and embracing them with love and compassion. Likewise, we are called to do the same—accepting others with all their frailties and weaknesses, and loving them unconditionally.

The Good Shepherd also desires to unite all sheep, regardless of their background or belief (John 10:16). Fr. De Souza’s life reflected this principle, as he embraced people of all faiths and backgrounds, treating each with empathy and kindness. We too are called to be signs of hope and acceptance in a divided world, fostering unity and love among all.

In his concluding remarks, Bishop Fernandes emphasized the call to be symbols of hope, especially to those in need, in line with Pope Francis’s message for the upcoming Jubilee 2025.

We are urged to embody the spirit of the founder, becoming beacons of hope for the sick, the elderly, the poor, migrants, and youth facing challenges.

To keep the founder’s dream alive, we must walk in his ways with enthusiasm and grace, carrying forward his mission with a spirit of synodality, participation, and communion.

The celebration was uplifted by the blissful singing of Sr. Jyoti D Costa and her choir, leading the congregation in the Eucharist. The program also featured personal stories about the founder, video clips, and a touching felicitation ceremony for Bishop Fernandes, who was honored with a shawl and tokens of appreciation.

The SFN Sisters added to the festive atmosphere by singing a Mando composed by Sr. Myra Mendes. The event concluded with Sr. Monica offering a heartfelt vote of thanks. Srs. Livia Nunes and Francilla Mascarenhas skillfully compered the program, bringing the memorable occasion to a close.