Death centenary of Mother Mary Veronica

November 26, 2005 was a unique day for the Apostolic Carmel Sisters in Sri Lanka. As the day dawned, a large gathering of Apostolic Carmel Sisters, novices, postulants, candidates and some students of our A.C. Schools poured into Carmel Convent, Borella, to celebrate the special event, the Death Centenary of Our Foundress Mother Veronica.

We started the day with the Eucharistic Celebration at 11.00 a.m. Our chief guest and our special invitee was His Excellency Mario Zenari, the Apostolic Nuncio.

The Eucharistic Procession was led by a cultural dance group of students from nearby schools followed by the superiors and principals carrying 100 oil lamps. Behind them was a long procession of our sisters, novice, postulants, candidates and finally was the Provincial Superior, Sr. Sunitha and her team accompanying His Excellency, the Rt. Rev. Mario Zenari, the Apostolic Nuncio.

The Procession entered the Chapel with 100 lamps symbolising the Vision and Mission of Mother Veronica that lives on, and her legacy that endures. The oil lamps were placed spirally on the decorated pillar near the altar. That was a gorgeous illumination. The flower arrangements, Mother Veronica Banners and the Liturgical set up were very inspiring.

The lighting of the ceremonial oil lamp took place with the hymn to the Holy Spirit. His Excellency Mario Zenari, the Apostolic Nuncio lit the first flame to mark the day. Then Sr. Sunitha Our Provincial Superior and all the past Provincial Superiors of the Sri Lanka province, followed. After that Sr. Sunitha unfurled the Mother Veronica Banner and thus we began our celebration round the altar.

The introduction to the Eucharistic Celebration unfolded the purpose of our gathering. It is the inauguration of the Death centenary Year of Our Foundress, Mother Mary Veronica of the Passion. A new century has opened up new vision giving us new hope, embedded in precious memories of the past. Mother Veronica is not just a figure in the past or a memory of a past event, she lives among us today animating us, leading and guiding us to the goal.

Special mention was made of the Carmelite spiritual heritage that is alive and active in the congregation today and the inspirational leadership of our Superior General and her team. Our Provincial Superior and her team, down the past century where Mother Veronica's Spirit is handed over from generation to generation in the congregation.

This millennium brings us to the realisation of God's dream for us, His love and blessings on our loved congregation and our commitment to the church and the people of God. This evoked deep sentiments of gratitude and appreciation within us. So we praised and thanked God in song and prayer joyously together as one family.

The little seed that took root in the heart of Mother Veronica has grown over the past years and now spread arms far and wide and become a mighty big tree giving shelter to thousands.

The congregation of the Apostolic Carmel Sisters in India, Sri Lanka has now reached out in service even to the Mission Stations in Pakistan, Kuwait, Kenya, Rome and Bahrain.

Rooted in the contemplative spirit of Caramel, and nourished by its life of prayer and missionary zeal, The Apostolic Carmel Sisters express their vitality and zeal through the fruitfulness in the active Apostolate of education both formal and non-formal and uplift of the poor, especially women. Mother Veronica's Mazims were read and meditated upon and it gave us the realisation that our very existence is a testimony to the love, power and fidelity of God's providence in our lives.

We lifted our mind, heart and voice to God in unison and harmony together, and wished and prayed that Mother Veronica may be raised to the Honours of the Altar in Beatification.

We remembered all those who lived Her Way of Life, rendered valuable service in the congregation, all those who once lived with us and gone to eternal rest. So we wished them Eternal Bliss. We prayed that we may continue to experience God's power, guidance and protection in the years to come, and that our lives be relevant and effective in this challenging world.

We remembered in prayer our leaders in the congregation, all the members of our communities, our benefactors, celebrators, schools and other work places and invoked blessings on them. The Homily was delivered by the main celebrant, His Excellency mario Zenari the Apostolic Nuncio.

He mentioned of our unique role in the church and our contribution in serving the people of God. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the Apostolic Nuncio read the Papal Message to us and granted us the Papal Blessing. After Mass there was happy meetings and greetings of one another followed by a sumptuous lunch.

A symposium and a cultural show were organised after lunch as a peak event, to mark the day. Our chief guest, His Excellency Mario Zenari, the Apostolic Nuncio presided at the function. The Sisters took part in the programme. 100 voices sang the anthem of the day, paying homage to Mother Veronica.

A drama was staged to depict the special events of our humble beginnings and the growth of the congregation today. The chief guest, His Excellency, delivered His message and spoke in appreciation of our congregation. There was singing and dancing by the sisters. We enjoyed the programme thoroughly.

At the end of the programme Sr. Sunitha our Provincial Superior addressed the gathering. She highlighted the Charisma of Mother Veronica that lives and is imparted to its members down the century as our heritage. She spoke of Mother Veronica's Legacy that endures till today.

She spoke of the avenues that are opened before us in this new millennium. The final item of the programme was the vote of thanks with which we wound up the celebration of the day. After enjoying a good tea, we dispersed with deep sentiments of love for the foundress of our congregation and with hope for the future.

"Veronica, a constant inspiration and a spur, anchored in God and totally yielded. Her thoughts and words bring to us eagerness and freedom."

- Sr. Nirmalee Fernando