Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Mangaluru, Oct 1 : October 1, 2023 is the Bicentennial Birthday of Mother Veronica, the foundress of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation. The Carmel Blossoms of Mount Carmel Central School, Mangaluru celebrated this great event on Saturday, September 30, 2023 through a captivating programme in the school auditorium and concluded the bicentennial year which was inaugurated last year on October 1st 2022.

The programme commenced with a prayer service that drew inspiration from Venerable Mother Veronica’s holy and selfless life, where 20 students adorned the portrait of Mother Veronica with 20 lighted lamps, each symbolizing 10 years of her life.

The welcome address was extended creatively bringing in Rev Henry Daniel Leeves, the father of Mother Veronica nee Sophie Leeves and her other family members, welcoming the audience for the birthday celebrations as they joyfully entered the well decorated hall.

Anvila DSouza, Amabel DCunha and Alyssa Rego highlighted the significance of the day and brought to light the virtues and spirituality of Venerable Mother Veronica. This was followed by a medley of multilingual songs on Mother Veronica in Hindi, English and Konkani. A short clipping of the feature film “Strange Destiny”, which has won two awards at the Indo-French International Film Festival AFA, Turkey based on the autobiography of Mother Veronica and tracing her journey of faith and courage against norms of her times, set the audience hearts on fire.

A mesmerizing dance performance setting the dancers feet on the move, culminated with Mother Veronica addressing the gathering to imbibe her virtues and thanking them for honouring her on this auspicious occasion.

The Principal, Sr. Melissa in her address appreciated the efforts put in by the Carmel Blossoms and their mentors to celebrate this great event meaningfully which has touched the hearts and minds of all gathered. She highlighted the virtues of Mother Veronica, specially her faith, obedience and courage because of which the Apostolic Carmel was born to empower students, specially girls and women and spreading the light of knowledge to thousands of students all these past years and move forward with the same mission in the years to come. Claire Judith Dsouza presented the vote of thanks, while Edel Lewis and Ashlon Menezes emceed the programme efficiently.