Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Nov 23: The convent of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, Milagres, Mangaluru, celebrated its silver jubilee on Wednesday, November 22.

Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop of Mangaluru, was the main celebrant of the Mass, while Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop of Udupi and Dr Francis Serrao, bishop of Shivamogga diocese were the co-celebrants.

In his homily, Dr Francis Serrao said, "We can see many of our Catholic congregations engaged in running schools, hospitals etc. But the sisters of Adoration Monastery are different from all these congregations. Since last twenty-five years, they are engaged only in prayer and adoration. There have no social service or religious mission to their credit. However, they are doing much beyond what is seen to the naked eyes, by continuously praying for the world peace and necessities of the universe."

"Jesus also spent long hours in prayer. Prayer is communicating with God. Jesus knew the plans of his father because of his continuous communication in the form of prayer. St Clare also followed the way of Jesus. With her prayers, she tried to find out solutions for the problems of this earth. She lived a poor life. Following her, the sisters of Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration also confine themselves to the four walls of the convent and pray to God continuously. We should consider them as the divine blessing for this city and state. They are our inspiration for a life filled with prayer," he added.

After the Mass Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop of Mangaluru, blessed the replica of the holy sacrament. In his address, he said, "I am thankful to our vicar general Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, under whose guidance, this adoration monastery was built. Our late bishop Basil D'Souza also played a major role in establishing this convent. Today the monastery is completing 25 years of their existence in Mangaluru. I congratulate all the eight sisters who are following the way of St Clare. Today many of us are close followers of these sisters. Many people visit this convent for counselling and also give their prayer requests. When the entire world sleeps, these sisters sit in front of the Holy Sacrament praying for the betterment of this world. This shows their selfless service to the society. We are really grateful for their concern towards mankind."

The sisters of Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration are staying a few yards away from the Milagres Church on the other side of the Falnir Road.

This convent was established in the year 1992 and is located in the heart of the city. It is also considered as a powerhouse of prayer in Mangaluru.

Eight sisters are there in the monastery at present.

Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration are cloistered contemplatives belonging to the 2nd Order of St Francis of Assisi, founded by St Clare of Assisi. About 14,000 Poor Clares are in the service of the Church all over the world.

There are 14 cloistered monasteries and 250 sisters are members of this congregation in India. Out of that, 25 sisters are from Mangaluru.