I am glad to learnt that the Delegation, Convent of St. Birgitta, is celebrating 75 years of its presence and service in India on 17th November 2012. On this very significant occasion, I congratulate the National Delegate, her associates all the sisters for their dedicated religious life and meritorious service to the Church and humanity.

Seventy Five years of presence in India is something to be cherished and celebrated and celebrated because in and through your congregation the Lord has touched many lives and made His redeeming grace tangible. It is also an occasion to review the past and rededicate to the call you have accepted from the Lord. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI says in his message on 15th World Day of Consecrated Life: ”A life devoted to following Christ in His chastity, poverty and obedience become a living ‘ exegesis’ of God’s word. The Holy Spirit, in whom the Bible was written, is the same Spirit who illumines the word of God with new light for the Founders and Foundresses. Every Charism and every Rule springs from it and seeks to be an expression of it, thus opening up new pathways of Christian living marked by the radicalism of the Gospel“

Amidst all the challenges and demands of modern life, it is certainly appreciable that your Delegation has grown from strength to strength attracting more young women to join in the consecrated from of Christian life and render selfless service for the betterment of the society. Exhorting the religious, the Holy Father said: “May your apostolic action, in particular, dear brothers and sisters, become a commitment of life that with persevering enthusiasm attains to Wisdom as truth and as beauty, the splendor of the truth. May you with the wisdom of your life and with trust in the inexhaustible possibilities of true educating, guide the minds and hearts of the men and women of our time towards a good life according to the Gospel.” (Message on the 15th World Day of Consecrated Life, 2011)

May St.Birgitta, your Patroness Saint, intercede for you all on the occasion you celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of your dedicated service to the Church. My prayers and blessings are with you all. In conveying Apostolic Blessing of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, I remain,

Yours sincerely in Christ,
H.E. Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio,
Former Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal

From Heart to Desk

Sparkling Memories the never fade….
of life’s miracles and mysteries.

Jubilee is a time of celebration of God’s abundant blessings and graces experienced in one’s own life of an institution. God in His goodness looked with favour upon the Bridgettines. An attitude of gratitude, wonder and joy is what we feel as we recall these 75 years.

Looking back to the Passage of time I thank God for the bountiful blessings he has showered upon us for the past 75 years. Yes, it is Platinum Years of Grace.

I bow before the loving memory of Blessed Mother Elizabeth whose vision and love for the missions brought us to India. I thank God for the person of Pastoral minded Rev. Fr. Beretta S J, the Italian missionary whose love for the people paved a way for our entry. My deepest gratitude to our pioneers, and ask the blessings of our sisters who enjoy the beatific vision.

Spanning seven and half decades, the Bridgettine Order in India has grown through the mighty hands of our Abbess General Mother Tekla Famiglietti and her predecessors. Mother Tekla’s leadership skills and the deep rooted prayer has enhanced the stature of the Order. She has streamlined the functioning of the convents and multiplied the effectiveness of the service offered to the Church and the people. Her administrative skills and able guidance have created a close bond among the members of the Order and unified us into a single entity striving towards Holiness. I acknowledge the great contributions of Mother Richard and Mother Hilaria.

Bridgettines in India owe much to Mother Gertrude Pereira who was most unassuming in her ways, was a person of character, a rare personality who walked this earth and made it a blessed place. Deep was her faith in God and prayer was her sap of life. She passed her legacy to the able hands of Mother Saveria D’Souza, a vibrant, gentle religious who guided the order in the path of holiness. Her ever approachable nature made the administration smooth and efficient. Then the steering wheel was passed on to Mother Margaret Mascarenhas who held the discipline and the traditions dear to her heart. She instilled in the members an urge for perfection. All of them selflessly worked for the growth of the order and the Bridgettine family grew, spreadingits wings to various dioceses pitching 19 tents for the Eucharistic adoration and social activities.

As we look to the travelled paths we realize, God has intervened in every sphere of our lives through many of our friends and benefactors. At this juncture we acknowledge and appreciate the generosity of everyone. The role of Propaganda Fide, CEI, Miraculous Medal Group of Switzerland are great in the development of the Indian Mission.

Looking towards the future with optimism and trust I remember with gratitude what our Mother Foundress Blessed Mother Elizabeth has said: I thank you, my lord, for the past years, for all you have given! Let me continue to see Thee in all the events of my life and in all people.

Surrendering our future to the Divine hands,

Sr. M. Regina Kalathil O.Ss.S