Report: Fr Paul Melwyn D'Souza, OFM, Cap

Mangaluru, May 3: It was a great day of joy for the Capuchin friars of the Holy Trinity Province, Karnataka as two of the brothers, David Sale Zhapuvizo and Melroy Peter D’Silva made their perpetual profession on Tuesday, May 2 at St Anne’s Friary chapel, Mangaluru. Br David and Br Melroy hail from Kohima, Nagaland and Brahmavar, Udupi respectively.

The vows of their perpetual profession were received by Fr Alwyn Dias, the provincial minister of Karnataka who presided over the Eucharistic celebration. Recalling the life and rule of St Francis of Assisi, the founder, Fr Alwyn Diar, said, “Looking at his figure, we wish to learn from him how to ‘belong to Christ,’ of which his whole life was such a perfect example and model.”

The homilist of the occasion Fr Paul Melwyn Dsouza said, “We celebrate the act of love of God of these two brotherswho loved them first, chose them and consecrated them. Their perpetual profession is indeed a sign of ‘prophetic receptivity’ to see all things in the light of the Gospel.”

Fr Denis Veigas, one of the provincial councillors and the rector of Darshan Institute of Theology presented these two brothers to the provincial minister to receive their vows. The other councillors, Fr Victor D’Souza, Fr Vijay Kumar and many Capuchin priests, parents, brothers and sisters and loved ones witnessed the ceremony of perpetual profession.

After the Mass, two brothers were felicitated. Br David and Br Melroy recalled their journey of religious life. They praised God for the precious gift of religious life in the order of Capuchin Friars Minor and acknowledged the role of their parents, family members and formators in their different stages of formation of the Franciscan way of life. Both the brothers have completed the second year of theological studies and made their vows to follow Jesus the Lord faithfully all the days of their life.