BANDEL: The community of Auxilium Convent Bandel celebrated two great events on Wednesday 05 August 2020. During the Morning Prayer the community officially inaugurated the 148^th Year of the Foundation day receiving the mandate: “I entrust them to you”.

The second reason for our celebration was the Silver Jubilee of our dear Sr. Jancy Pulickyathottil, the economer of our community. The community raised voices in thanks to God for her beautiful vocation as an FMA to the Institute and to the church through a well animated and prayerful morning prayer with fitting hymns and videos. She was felicitated soon after the prayer moments by the community with festal wishes, greetings and gifts.

The peak of the celebration was at 11.00 am with a thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration. Though we were in the lockdown period due to Covid-19 pandemic and having no Educating community present for the celebration, the sisters took up the challenge of making the day a memorable and realistic experience for Sr. Jancy. As invitees we had only six Salesians from Don Bosco and Basilica communities of Bandel. The celebration comprised of appropriate introduction, renewal of Vows, prayers of the faithful, crowing the jubilarian and significant photo session at the end.

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In his homily the chief celebrant Fr. E.J. Anthony sdb, Rector of Don Bosco Bandel invited the assembly to recall and thank God for the Silver Jubilee of three “C’s” – Call, Consecration and Commission. He brought out this theme as ‘Pay it forward’ through a series of anecdotes. Paying forward is a wonderful way in which we can network with others and pass on God’s goodness and love. He gave a new meaning to the word CORONA that is a Crown for God. C – for Community, O – for Obedience (vows), R – for Rosary, O – for Oblation, N – Nun and A – for apostolate. He concluded his inspiring homily inviting everyone with the following words: “Today as we thank God for the special Call He has given to Sr. Jancy, and for the gift of her faithfulness for the past 25 years, let us ask Him through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, to enable us also to become his CORONA VIRUSES in today’s world, not bringing about death and destruction, but it’s opposite: life, and life in its fullness, of which the Wine of Cana is a symbol”.

This was followed by a Salesian style of sumptuous meal which was prepared by our sisters and house staff. Sr. Jancy was congratulated with a melodious song composed and sung by the sisters. The Salesians too exchanged their greetings with the Jubilarian. Sr. Jancy expressed her gratitude with a few words of appreciation for their brotherly presence and cordiality.

The memorable day came to a conclusion in the evening with an hour of Eucharistic adoration where all thanked the good Lord for the gift of our institute, our vocation and especially for the Jubiarians of our Province particularly Sr. Jancy. She too thanked the community generously with her words of indebtedness and gratitude for the beautiful day celebrated in her honour.