Temporary Promise, Investiture, and Aspirancy of OCDS @ Margao
“My soul magnifies the Lord” ceremonial theme to the Rite.
On Friday 22nd December, at the end of the Advent Season, the Secular Carmelites of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Community Margao-Goa, joyously sand O Come, Divine Messiah! The last fervent cries that the Mystical body sends up to heaven, pleading for the coming of the Redeemer.

At Lar de Santa Terezinha’s quaint little Chapel, with joy and awe welcomed Rev. Fr. Silvestre D Souza OCD, Provincial Superior of Karnataka-Goa Province, to preside the most Holy Eucharist and concelebrant Rev. Fr. George Santhumayor OCD, Spiritual Assistant, and family members, to witness the Rite of the Temporary Promise, Investiture and Aspirancy.

Seventeen members along with the Director of Formation Beliza Antao, entered in procession to the alter, like Mary, their spirit rejoiced in God the Savior. The scripture readings were deeply significant to our vocation as Seculars Carmelites, the particular aspect of the Blessed Virgin Mary “meditate in the heart” is so fitting since Carmel is wholly Mary’s.

After the proclamation of the Gospel, Fr. Provincial welcomed five candidates into aspirancy and offered them the Carmelite Emblem, they are:
• Felicia Carmen Menezes
• Hildred Falcao
• Joaquim Sarto Barjona Gracias
• Maria Ezildinha Gracias
• Lorna Audrey Maria Gomes

Provincial has delivered a sublime homily, saying as baptized believers and Secular Carmelites, we are capable of carrying Christ to others, to be open to the glory of this truth to carry forth the very aspect of Mary’s “Yes to the Lord”, we have faced the struggle of life, even though we are called to seek Him with humble hearts full of hope.

The Rite of Admission took place after the homily Fr. Provincial examined the intent of the ten members who were to make their Temporary promises and after they affirmed their willingness, he called them to Promise their commitment before the community.

He vested two Initial Formation members with the Ceremonial Brown Scapular, they are:
1. Maria Aleta Lorraine Gerrada de Souza of St. Monica
2. Joyce Sofia Leonora D’Costa of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

The Provincial received the Temporary Promises of:
1) Jyotsna Sharad Joshi of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
2) Avinash Afonso Borges of St. Joseph Vaz
3) Mureen Francina Kevin of St. Francis of Assisi
4) Aldrin Leao Coutinho of St. Joseph
5) Louisa Mendes of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
6) Valerie Valentina Lopes of the Blessed Sacrament
7) Martina D’Souza of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
8) Paulina Nasimenta J Pereira of St. Teresa of Kolkata
9) Laura Andrade of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
10) Antonio Rodriges Olwin of St. Anthony of Padua

At a grace-filled fellowship which was filled with joy, fun, laughter, cake cutting & and singing congratulations, the members expressed how deeply grateful they are to God and the gift of vocation in Carmel, to enter this stage of formation.