Young Couples from Udupi Commit to Missionary Families of Christ

Udupi, October 15, 2024: Six young couples from Udupi and Kallianpur Deaneries made a profound, life-changing commitment on October 11, vowing to dedicate themselves to the mission of spreading the Gospel and transforming communities through the Missionary Families of Christ (MFC). In a ceremony at the Anugraha Pastoral Centre, Udupi, presided over by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo of Udupi, these couples pledged to integrate faith, family and mission into the heart of their married lives, making a covenant not only with each other but with Christ’s call to be modern-day missionaries.

The journey began with "BELOVED 2024," a one-day conference for young couples held on June 23rd, which soon grew into three transformative months of spiritual growth and fellowship. The couples who participated in these sessions had the opportunity to strengthen their faith, explore deeper family values and build a stronger foundation for their marriages. Last night, this journey culminated in a powerful covenant ceremony, marking their official membership in the MFC community.

Missionary Families of Christ (MFC) is a lay Catholic community that seeks to renew and strengthen families in faith, rooted in the teachings of the Church. Its mission is to bring families closer to Christ and empower them to become missionaries of the Gospel in their homes, communities and the world. MFC emphasizes values such as love, unity, service and obedience to God’s will, helping families become witnesses of Christ’s love.

The MFC movement is growing steadily across four dioceses in Karnataka: Mangalore, Bangalore, Udupi and Shimoga. With the mandate of the KRCBC Family Commission, MFC has been recognized as a key player in promoting family life and values. The organization is part of the regional pastoral plan and has been tasked with expanding its presence to all 14 dioceses in the state. As a movement not only recognized but highly recommended by the Church, MFC continues to work towards building stronger, Christ-centered families that will serve as beacons of faith and love in their communities.

By Leslie Arouza