AC Nun Sr Irene D’Souza celebrates 50 Religious Years Serving the Lord
“Dear Heavenly Father, open My life and let it shine. So all may know, that I am thine. Give me the courage to say a Word, to all I meet, for you, dear Lord. Help me to show by my very religious life, what it means to be a Catholic Nun” – Sr Irene D’Souza AC
Mangaluru: What a grace it was, what a joy it was, to be gathered on the lovely evening of Saturday, 29 April 2017 for the Thanksgiving Eucharistic Celebration at St Dominic’s Church-Ashoknagar-Mangaluru, followed by a felicitation at the Church hall with Sr Irene D’Souza AC, who with joy and gratitude to God celebrated her 50th Anniversary of her First Profession in the Apostolic Carmel congregation. The entrance hymn did capture the spirit of the day, the joy rippling through the liturgy and drawing us across the threshold of ordinariness to a place of Jubilee. Sr Irene’s family members, nuns, priests, relatives, and friends all gathered to give thanks for the faithfulness of this religious nun over the past 50 years and to encourage her as she begins her Jubilee journey- and whose love, inspiration and support helped her to reach this blessed day. But most of all everyone was present to praise the faithfulness of the Lord – the ‘strength, the song, the salvation’ of this missionary, whose life give witness to ‘the marvelous things’ he does through those who follow him.
A half century ago a maiden of tender years knelt before the altar of God to receive the habit of the Apostolic Carmel Order. On that day she began the period of preparation that was to culminate a year later, in the furnace of her love for God that triple band of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience around her heart which was to bind her henceforth irrevocably to God. Let us not imagine that that sacrifice cost her no struggle. I dare say that the struggle was as great for her as it has been for so many others. I dare say that the bright, happy world, the world of ease, the world of prosperity and of pleasure came to her that morning and pleaded with her. Yes, it cast itself down before her and begged her not to forsake it. But this valiant woman spurned its solicitations, she turned her back upon it even though it contained a father’s love and a mother’s tears. And she turned to Christ, her heavenly Bridegroom and said: “Thee alone will I love. Thee alone will I always serve.”
That is the sacrifice that Sr Irene D’Souza AC made fifty years ago. And it is for this reason that we all offer our congratulations and pay tribute to her in thanking God that she has been spared to repeat that same sacrifice every morning for a half century. It may be profitable for us to consider briefly just what that sacrifice entails, the sacrifice which every religious makes at her profession when she pronounces her vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. By the vow of Poverty, the religious man or woman renounces all earthly riches and all luxury that wealth and treasure can procure. Worldly comforts of any kind are forever banished from religious communities. The food and raiment are determined by strict rule and must be ordinary and inexpensive. Nothing may be possessed by the religious as her own property but simply loaned to her for her temporary use by the community.
By the vow of Chastity the religious takes Christ as the only object of all the affections of her heart and therefore cuts herself off from all those pleasures that are lawfully enjoyed in social life. She places a guard over her senses by rigid mortification. By the vow of Obedience the religious sacrifices her dearest possession, her own will, placing it in the hands of her superior. Her daily life is regulated by the rule of her Order. Nothing is left to arbitrary choice. Such a word as “I will” or “I will not” never passes her lips. The judgments of her mind, as well as the work of her hands, must all be in strict accord with the judgments and the commands of those placed over her, no matter what their age, their capacity or their nationality may be.
As Sr Irene AC completes her 50 long years as religious life, she did it with the full assistance of God. So it would be right to call this achievement of her religious life, a fulfillment of God’s plan in her life and of course it does not stop here it continues till her last breath. Sr Irene deserves mine and yours congratulations and good wishes while she is celebrating her Golden Jubilee serving Christ. She has lived for fifty long years under the rule of Apostolic Carmel Congregation, true to her vows, true to the spirit of the Founder of AC Order, true to her heavenly Bridegroom, Christ Jesus. I had the opportunity to meet Sr Irene last year at one of the functions of Mount Carmel Central School-Mary Hill-Mangaluru- and when I introduced myself as the cousin of Sr Winifred AC (Regional Superior of AC Community, Kenya), where both serve the community together in Kenya, she was quite happy to meet me.
It is said that a life of a religious person may be compared to a building of a Cathedral once a firm foundation has been laid, the building rises slowly. It is true with the life of Sr Irene, where she built her house on the rock like a wise man so she was able to preserve it for so many years and this foundation she received in her family itself. Sr Irene was born in a family of nine children in Urwa-Mangaluru to Cyril D’ Souza, who lived a principled life and to Agnes D’ Souza, who was a loving and caring lady. The couple brought up their children with piety and deep faith in Almighty, and both being a God fearing and loving parents, Sr Irene AChad a very spiritual and moral upbringing, which also motivated her to serve the children of God. It is at home that the seed of religious life was sown in her.
Sr Irene AC did her schooling at Lady Hill High School-Mangaluru, where she passed in SSLC with flying colours. While at school, she was also the school pupil leader in the year1962-63. One of the hobbies of her interests was cycling, where she had won many prizes in cycling tournaments-she had won the first place in slow cycling at the district level in 1963 when it was rare for girls to take part in cycling competitions. She was a gold medalist in B. Ed from Uttkal University in Orissa. Right through her life, she has displayed leadership qualities. Sr Irene was the silver medal recipient in the diocesan catechism exam in 1963.
Sr Irene after her PUC from St Agnes college Mangaluru joined the Apostolic Carmel congregation in 1964 and made her first profession on 26 April 1967. Later she underwent training in Theology and Scripture at Mater Dei, Goa; BTH at De Nobeli College, Pune; and MTH at Vidyajyoti, New Delhi. She was vocation promoter for Eastern Province (Kolkata) and she also worked as provincial councilor. She was the superior in various convents in her 50 years service as a nun. She had great love towards the poor, and during her religious life, she has been serving the downtrodden relentlessly for 5 decades. She has been a very good science teacher, being mathematics and physics her forte.
Her mission has been very clear in life, to reach the least in society in the remotest places in the world and to uplift them with basic needs of life: shelter, food, clothing and education. She has served in the North East, Andaman and now zealously renders service in Kenya, Africa, for the past 7 years. Sr Irene lives an austere, detached and prayerful life, and is hailed as the friends of poor. Her followers, friends, students, colleagues and well wishers are proud of her achievements. It is not for completing 50 years as a nun , but because for living those years with love of poor.
Sr Irene D’Souza who is a person of courage, strong faith, values, ideals, love, and years of wisdom makes her who she is. She always stands up for what is true and what is right and knows what is truly important in life. Her spiritual life bears witness to the joy of living, the dignity of every human person, the value of little things done faithfully and the surpassing worth of faith in God. We simply should adore her qualities and ideals, thereby accepting her as a role model in our lives. To live as a true Apostolic Carmel nun for a single day demands a special assistance of Almighty God. What a chain of graces then must Sr Irene has received to persevere for fifty years as a true AC nun. And she is and always has been true to every characteristic laid down by her Holy Founder; and her as a daughter of love, caring and Charity, know better what that means than I can explain to you.
It means to be docile as a child to her superiors; it means to be chaste as the lilies of the field; it means to be as poor as the beggar on the street, who has nothing but what is given to him by another; it means to be strong in faith and hope and love; it means to meditate, to fast and to pray. I say to do that for a single day needs God’s special graces, and, think of it,– Sister Irene AC has done it, — has done it faithfully before men and angels for fifty years. Oh, how good God has been to her. Looking down from Heaven to-day God loves her as He loved her that bright and happy morning fifty years ago. The iron bands she forged about her heart have in these years been changed by the alchemy of divine love—-first to silver and now into purest gold; and if it pleases His Holy Will, may each golden band be studded with sparkling gems in the diamond years yet to come, until ripe for heaven, full of merit and of grace, her heavenly Bridegroom will meet her at the gates of Paradise with the well-known “Veni, Sponsa Christi,” ( “Come, O Spouse of Christ “), receive the crown which the Lord has prepared for you from all eternity. Amen.
Speaking to mangalorean.com, Sr Irene AC said that she always loved the church and her vocation but couldn’t imagine where life would take her. “Never in my wildest dreams” she chuckled. “When I felt, ‘I don’t know if I’m good enough, I’m very shy,’ but God said to me, ‘Never fear, I am always with you.’ This is what has kept me lively in my vocation. I really felt like this is where I belong and what I need to do for the rest of my life, no matter what. I praise God for this gift of my vocation and I really thank God because I am so fulfilled, I have been so happy and I feel like I have a lot to share. Even now. God gives me people that give me the opportunity of service. It’s a beautiful life.”
The celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Religious Profession of Sr Irene AC was hosted by her brothers-Henry D’Souza and Rony D’Souza, her elder sister who is also a AC nun-Sr Doris D’Souza AC and other family members on 29 April 2107 – the con-celebrated Eucharistic celebration was held at St Dominic’s Church-Ashoknagar-the mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Mangaluru- Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, along with the Church parish priest and other clergy. Felicitation and formal celebration were held at the Church Hall, where the jovial and hilarious toast was raised by Sr Doris AC, which took the audience into a world of laughter. Energetic Sr Doris simply rocked the night with her presentation.
Also speaking a few good words of wisdom were Norbert Noronha- the Gurkar of the Ward, and also Sr Irene’s classmate at Lady Hill High School, who shared a few funny instances that occurred during their school days, including the cycling spree of Sr Irene; also spoke was Henry D’Souza, the brother of Sr Irene, who also narrated a funny incident about Sr Irene buying some Sardines from Urwa market from a Mapala (Muslim) fish vendor….., and the story brought huge laughter in the house. In response to all the good words spoken about her, Sr Irene AC quoting few verses fro the Bible said, ” Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. A Psalm of David-The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. …” Sr Irene encouraged the gathering to have faith in God for everything good to happen in their lives, and without Him life is incomplete, she said.
Members of Ashoknagar Yuvak Sangha also felicitated Sr Irene AC with a shawl, garland, fruit basket, memento, and citation, for her good deeds done to the community. Fr Santhosh Kamath Sj of Fatima Retreat House also delivered his thoughts on Sr Irene and said the prayers before the meal. The entire function was compered by Jerry Rasquinha.
In conclusion, now that Sr Irene AC has reached her Golden Jubilee year and moves into a new spiritual landscape I join you all and pray that she will with a new energy and deeper joy, celebrate ‘the breadth and the length, the height and the depth’ of Christ in her life. This is a Holy time, a time to ‘listen thickly’ and be fully present to the mystery that holds her. Who can tell the treasures the Lord has in store for her, the gifts still hidden in his heart? Who can know the wonders that the love of Christ, ‘which is beyond all knowledge’ will open for her? We, and she can only pray to Jesus Christ, ‘Glory be to him…’ May she journey well and lightly and, as she embraces the whole of her life, the weave of youth and maturity, May God grant her good health so that she continues to serve the Lord till her last breath, May she be an inspiration and role model for all of us on our religious journey.
While our blessings and our prayers go with you, dear Sr Irene D’Souza AC on this your Golden Jubilee year, let me end this column with the thought-provoking lyrics from the psalm: “I will sing forever of your love, O Lord.” –
“I will sing forever of Your love, O Lord
I will celebrate the wonder of Your name
For the word that You speak is a song of forgiveness
And a song of gentle mercy and of peace
Let us wake at the morning and be filled with Your love
And sing songs of praise all our days
For Your love is as high as the heavens above us
And Your faithfulness as certain as the dawn
I will sing forever of Your love, O Lord
I will celebrate the wonder of Your name
For the word that You speak is a song of forgiveness
And a song of gentle mercy and of peace
I will sing forever of Your love, O Lord
For You are my refuge and my strength
You fill the world with Your life-giving spirit
That speaks Your word
Your word of mercy and of peace”.
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