Holy Family Convent Celebrates Nine Decades of Faithful Witness and Service

Sancoale, June 16, 2026: The Holy Family Convent in Sancoale celebrated its 91st Foundation Anniversary with prayerful thanksgiving, reflection and renewed commitment to its charism, commemorating more than nine decades of faithful service to the Church and society.

The celebrations centred on the theme, “In Him We Bear Much Fruit,” highlighting the congregation’s rich spiritual heritage and its continued call to remain deeply rooted in Christ, the true Vine.

The observance began on the eve of the anniversary with a specially prepared prayer service that reflected on the congregation’s origins and enduring legacy. Symbolic gestures formed an integral part of the celebration, drawing attention to the foundation upon which the congregation was built.

Click here to follow Catholic Connect for regular News and Content!

At the heart of the prayer service stood an image of Jesus, the true Vine, symbolising that all ministry and mission find their source and strength in Him. Four stones were reverently placed before the altar to honour the faith, sacrifice and contribution of the congregation’s co-founding sisters—Sisters Joana, Edith, Josephine and Nativity. The founder’s vision was remembered through the placement of his photograph beside a lighted lamp, representing the enduring flame of faith and dedication handed down through generations.

Members of the community also offered various fruits, signifying the spiritual harvest borne through years of faithful witness, service and commitment to the Gospel.

The anniversary celebrations reached their spiritual culmination on June 16 with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Rex Fernandes, SFX. In his homily, Fr. Fernandes invited the sisters to reflect deeply on the question: “How many of us are truly abiding in Jesus?”

Drawing inspiration from the life and spirituality of the congregation’s founder, he emphasised three essential pillars of religious life: prayer, community living and witness. He explained that authentic prayer leads individuals to seek and embrace God’s will rather than their own desires, fostering deeper love, concern for others and obedience to God’s plan.

Reflecting on community life, Fr. Fernandes underscored the importance of overcoming divisions and nurturing unity amid differences. He also encouraged the sisters to move beyond their comfort zones, embrace missionary zeal and become living witnesses of Christ’s love through compassion and service.

Urging the congregation to remain faithful to its founding vision, he called on the sisters to continue walking in the footsteps of their founder and to carry forward the mission entrusted to them with courage and dedication.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, the community paid tribute to its spiritual roots by garlanding the founder’s bust. The occasion also featured the release of the latest issue of Savera magazine, continuing its tradition of offering faith-filled reflections and inspiring reading for its audience.

The festivities concluded with the cutting of the anniversary cake, marking the joyful milestone. Sisters from various communities visited the motherhouse to extend their greetings, reinforcing the bonds of fraternity, unity and shared mission.

As it enters its 92nd year, the Holy Family Convent, Sancoale, looks to the future with gratitude for God’s blessings and a renewed commitment to its mission of faith, service and evangelisation, remaining steadfast in the legacy entrusted to it over the past 91 years.

By Sr. Molly Fernandes SFN