Post Centenary Silver Jubilee celebrations of Ursuline Franciscan Sisters on Apr 12

Mangalore, April 10: The Congregation of Ursuline Franciscan Sisters (UFS), that originated in Mangalore (at Rosario Cathedral on April 10, 1887) is celebrating the Post Centenary Silver Jubilee of its foundation in a fitting solemn manner, on Thursday April 12, 2012. (Details of Programme below). This Congregation of Mangalore-centered Sisters, spanning three centuries 19,20 & 21, has spread their labour for God to uplift the marginalized, with the motto "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD". Over the past 125 years it has grown like the proverbial flourishing vine, to many parts of India, particularly rural and remote; and also to different parts of the world. Their inimitable commitment expands to embrace more than 128 Convents with about 1100 members spanning 33 diocese. They under - take different ministrations and run educational, social and vocational centers, orphanages, hostels, homes for the elderly, medical support and so on, through 33 diocese. The theme of this 125 year jubilation is "MAKE US A RAINBOW, A SIGN OF HOPE FOR A NEW WORLD".

THE HISTORY:

In January 1887, the Vicariate of Mangalore was raised to the status of a Diocese by the order of Pope Leo XIII and the Mangalore diocese just celebrated 125 years of this event. Fr Urban Stein SJ,(1845-188), an able German Priest was the first resident Vicar (1879-1888) of the mother church - Rosario Cathedral at Bolar, then in the heart of Mangalore (This church was named a Cathedral in 1850). In those times of economic poverty, he envisioned the immediate need for the pastoral care and education of children and women and the care of suffering in the Bundar (Old Port) area - the prime part of the town. Soon after assuming charge, Fr Urban Stein motivated a few young refined ladies of the vicinity to come forward and help in the vital task. In the fore-front was Nympha Fernandez, daughter of the local Deputy Collector, who became a natural leader of this informal band of about a dozen members and later the formal first Superior of the order. Initially this inspired band was called "The Company of St. Ursula", after
St Ursula, an early Church Martyr of Cologne, Germany. The role model that Fr Stein chose for this band of religious caring women which continues to be relevant today is St.Angela Merici an Italian lady who served the poorest of the poor in the tradition of St.Francis of Assisi, widening their charism for the good of all people. This small dedicated band of local Catholic maidens did exemplary work among the down trodden / underprivileged for their uplift - were often called the 'Angels of Bundar'. The work of these compassionate women spread and grew, and on Easter, April 10, 1887 they under the inspiration of Fr. Stein organized themselves into an Association christened as the 'Company of St Ursula.' These were the forerunners of the Ursuline Congregation in Mangalore. The Ursuline Franciscan Congregation (UFS) of Mangalore is now 125 years and marks its Post Centenary Silver Jubilee on April 12, 2012.

THE UFS PROGRESS:

A few decades after the Ursuline Congregation was given first life by Fr Urban Stein, Fr. A. Macree, who was the great Jesuit Canonist supported in writing the first Constitutions and brought the cause of the Ursulines of Mangalore before the Holy See in Rome. It obtained the seal of an integral religious Congregation with its 'Canonical Erection' on May 13, 1934. It was named as the 'Catechist Sisters of St Ursula'. There is sufficient reason to claim that the Ursuline Congregation-UFS has purely Mangalorean religious origins. It can be focused that the mother house has always been in Mangalore and the pioneer nuns and successors and majority of the members through 125 years have mostly been from local surroundings. In 1956 Fr Pacificus Menezes ofm Cap brought about a major confluence in Ursuline and Franciscan spirituality. The constitution were re-written, approved and affiliated to Franciscan order. It so came to be called - "Ursuline Franciscan". The much prized 'Pontifical right' was conferred on the UFS congregation by Blessed Pope Paul II on January 27, 1995 making it a full fledged component of the Universal Church. There are several people down the line who have played a role in the development of this order from times past. The Centenary of the 'Foundation House' at the original mother house at Bolar, (constructed in 1901) was marked in a special way. Several celebrations were organized; the India Posts released first day covers to mark the occasion picturing the 'Foundation House' as well as a rare picture of Fr. Stein. The Post Centenary Silver Jubilee Celebrations on April 12, 2012, are visualized to reinforce the Ursuline zeal in a multi-channeled manner by visions of pro-action to build human hope in a divine level.

SUPERIOR GENERAL - Rev. Sr.DOREEN D'SOUZA. UFS.

Rev.Sr. Doreen D'Souza, the 11th Superior General of Ursuline Franciscan Sisters (UFS), was re-elected in May, 2010 for a second term, ending 2016. Mother.... Leader....of the 1100 UFS sisters, working in four Provinces across India, a Central cell plus active houses in Europe and Africa - through 33 diocese. They run over 128 institutions for education, empowerment of Women, care of Children, suffering and other related services. Her four General Council members are, Rev.Srs. Susheela Sequeira, Lilly Fernandes,Geraldine D'Souza and Alice Noronha.

Sr.Doreen, born into a staunch Konkani Catholic family of Valencia Mangalore, imbibed traditional Christian qualities from her devout parents and have served her and her five siblings well. Her first profession in the Ursuline Congregation was in 1968. She later earned a 'Masters in Theology' (M.Th) and was a 'visiting Professor' at her Alma Mater, 'Visvadeep', Bangalore. Her assets of vision,wisdom, purpose, responsibility and so on wrapped in faith are visible in the all round progress in recent years of this religious order of Nuns within the universal catholic church. Her spirit of service and dedication have received several recognitions, and she is well known as a religious of many merits. A new era dawns Post Centenary Silver Jubilee a multi coloured Rainbow heralding hope and renew
------------- PROGRAMMES ON APRIL 12, 2012 --------------

A. THANKSGIVING HOLY MASS at 4 PM:
The meaningful celebrations on April 12, 2012 will be held at Rosario Cathedral (Mangalore) premises, the historically original spot where this divine work was founded 125 years ago. It will commence at 4 pm. with a Solemn Thanksgiving Eucharist. Chief celebrant: Most Rev Dr Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore. Bishops, Priests,Religious and dignitaries will participate with a large gathering of the faithful

B. FELICITATION & CULTURAL PROGRAMME at 5.30 PM:

PRESIDENT: Most Rev Dr Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore.
CHIEF GUEST: Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, Bishop of Mangalore.
1. BOOK RELEASES: 5 Books will be released on this occasion. Books connected with the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation.
2. FELICITATIONS: Jubilation honours to those who responsible for the integral growth of the Congregation.
3. CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA:
(I) Dance drama (Kannada Nrithya Roopaka) - Life story of St.Angela Merici, the Foundress of the Company of St Ursula in Italy. The patroness of the UF Sisters, Mangalore; who were initiated as the 'Company of St Ursula' in the
early times by Fr Urban Stein sj. (Direction: Suresh Attavar).
(II) Song, Dance and Drama Show - 'DHONU' (Rainbow) Konkani - By Eric Ozario and Arunraj 'Mandd Sobhan' highlighting the Frontline Ministries of the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation and their future Jubilee projects.
(III) A Short Documentary - 'PILGRIMAGE OF LOVE' - History, life and mission of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters.

3. JUBILEE FELLOWSHIP MEAL.