RECOLLECTION- APRIL 2024

RECOLLECTION- APRIL 2024
Theme: Encountering the Risen Lord on the road of life
To encounter God is to be welcomed into His all-consuming presence.
To encounter God is to discover who you were made to be who He has always seen you as.
Your identity begins to mirror that of Jesus and all He provides for you through His sacrifice,
resurrection and love. How do we encounter God really? Praying initiates an encounter with
God and the Bible says God wants us to pray so that He can answer us and show us mighty
things (Jeremiah 33:3). When you take the time to pray, choose to set aside time and
opportunity to have an encounter with God in our daily life.
The example of personal encounter with God-Moses was willing to leave his daily tasks and
listen to God and what resulted was an amazing intimate conversation in which he heard the
many plans for his life. How do you encounter God in the Church or during Mass? We
encounter God through our interaction with one another which calls for respect for one
another eventhough one may not be able to understand the other. We must try to understand
the other from her point of view and not from our prejudices that we may or we may not
have of each other. We must not only forgive and accept our negligence but also ask for
forgiveness.
As God reveals Himself more to you through Mass, pray for the people sitting around you,
that they would have an encounter with God as well. Pray that we will all know God better,
love Him more and grow in desire to serve Him and others out of that love when we are sent
forth at the end of the Mass. It is the Risen Christ who comes to us, not we who can summon
Him. We must learn to wait with openness and humility. There is no other way of knowing
Him than by receiving Him.
Venerable Mother Veronica, our beloved Foundress was blessed with an encounter with the
Risen Christ whose voice she heard on Easter Sunday “Peace I give you.” The gift of peace
was the gift of a Vocation. Jesus called Mother Veronica to be one with Him.
My dear Sisters, you may be surprised by the way Jesus comes to you. It may be through an
unexpected encounter. You may get a powerful sense of His Presence at Mass or He may
simply set your heart on fire as you ponder His Word in the Scriptures. Worship, prayer, and
service, all these are opportunities to encounter the Lord. Every moment of every day is an
opportunity to encounter the Lord as we abide with Christ. Just like how Mother Veronica
heard the Voice of God saying, “I want you in Carmel, it was this encounter with God that
gave Mother Veronica a purpose and direction.
How do we encounter Jesus today?
God speaks to us through the scriptures and reading the Bible is a powerful way to encounter
Jesus. Spend time in reading the Gospel, especially Resurrection accounts and stories of
people who have life-changing encounters with Jesus, like Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-4) and the
Samaritan woman at the well (Jn 4:27-30). What is the key to encounter God?
To encounter God’s Presence requires discernment. He must be able to discern between pure
and impure, truth and lies. Jesus, the Word of God and Holy Spirit, our Counsellor and Guide
leads us into all truth and gives us the knowledge and ability to discern good from evil. Jesus
is ever ready to fill our lives with His choicest blessings, provided that we too are prepared
to take out the unwanted and unnecessary things from our lives with which we have filled it.
Let us turn the pages of our past lives and see whether there is anything in our lives that
blocks the free flow of God’s grace into us. God knows each one of us through and through
hence, we cannot hide anything from Him.
Examination of Conscience
1. How often do we think of God who gave us life and spend quality time with Him in
our personal Prayer?
2. Have we placed anything else in our life in the place of this true God?
3. Does our life bear witness to Jesus Christ and His Gospel values?
4. How earnest are we in seeking and doing God’s will?
5. Have we given enough importance to prayer in our lives?
6. How often do we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit within us?
7. How often do we wholeheartedly participate in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist?
8. Do we have sufficient faith and devotion in the Eucharistic Lord?
9. How much interest, do we show in reading and listening to the Word of God?
10.How much effort do we make in getting out of our sinful state by frequent recourse to
the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
11.How much love and concern do we show to the members of our Community and
fellow beings?
12. How faithful are we to our Vocation?
13. Have we always stood for justice and truth?
14. Do I feel free to tell Jesus my life- story, my aspirations, worries, problems,
disappointments, joys, etc?
15.Do I attentively listen to Him when Jesus Christ explains to me the meaning of the
Scriptures so that my heart can burn within me?
Let us thank God who made us aware of our shortcomings, failures, weaknesses, and sins.
Let us request His forgiveness and mercy for all our mistakes. He is ready to forgive us and
fill us with His graces as He did to the Samaritan woman. May He continue to shower His
abundant blessings upon us so that we may remain always in His love and thus become
credible witnesses of His living Presence to the people around us.
Dear Sisters, as we are in the season of Eastertide, let us contemplate on Mary Magdalene,
often revered as the Apostle of Apostles, and a testament to the transformative love of Jesus.
Despite her imperfections, she was chosen by Jesus to follow Him wholeheartedly. During
this recollection day, let us emulate Mary Magdalene in our calling as CCRs to serve and
evangelise the world.
Have A Restful Time With The Lord…..

 

Sr. Philda Varghese CCR
Councillor in – charge of Spirituality

Mother of Carmel, and the Saints of Carmel, Pray for us.

Prayer Request and Enquiries





    Provinces

    CCR Generalate

    Superior General
    Sr. Molly Attully CCR
    CCR Generalate,
    All Saints’ Campus,
    Chackai P.O
    Thiruvananthapuram–695 007,
    Kerala, India

    St Therese’s Province

    Provincial Superior
    Sr. Lucy Mary CCR
    St. Therese’s Provincialate, House
    “Pushpadhara”, Kizhavoor,
    Mukhathala, P.O.
    Kollam-691577

    St Teresa’s Province

    Provincial Superior
    Sr. Wilma Mendes CCR
    St. Teresa’s Provincialate,
    Teresian Mansions,
    St. Teresas’Campus, S. V. Road
    Santacruz (W), Mumbai–400 054

    St Joseph Province

    Provincial Superior
    Sr. Jane Bavelil CCR
    St. Joseph’s Provincialate,
    Sachidanand Niwas
    Opp.Mahalakshmi Lawns
    Nagar Road, Aple Ghar Kharadi,
    Pune-411014


    © 2025 The Congregation of The Carmelite Religious. All Rights Reserved.

    Mother Mary Michael of the Redemption (1860-1926)

    Mother Michael was our first Mother General. Elected in 1908, this first architect of our Congregation, established her foundations with steadfast courage and great patience despite lack of personnel and funds, the first one at Anjengo (1916), the next at Santacruz (1922) followed by another at Neyyatinkara (1926) and the last one at Karwar (1926) where she was called to her heavenly abode. She was at the helm from 1908 to 1926.
    With a heart of gold, intrepid spirit and the virtue of a saint, Mother M. Michael proved herself a skilled captain steering the ship of the infant Congregation through stormy waters and safely to harbour, with firm faith and confidence in God. She had the satisfaction of seeing the Congregation firmly established.

    Every moment of her life was characterized by the spirit of humility, simplicity and charity to the poor, the sick and the orphaned. God accepted every sacrifice made by Mother M. Michael for the sake of the Congregation she loved so well and served so nobly – even the supreme sacrifice of dying and being interred far from her beloved daughters in Mangalore

    Rev. Mother Mary Archange of the Sacred Heart (1879-1944)

    Mother Archange, our second Mother General was trained by Mother Mary Elias of Jesus at Ypres in Belgium. Her great and loving heart was ever open to all and she devoted her life especially to the poor and needy in the missions in India. Concentrating on prayer and spirituality she used her talents in God’s service, to draw her Sisters nearer to God. The sentiments voiced by an English lady, D. H. Watts, an ex-student of Holy Angels’ School capture Mother’s beautiful personality. “With spiritual qualities she combined an intellect, disciplined by reading of the literature of more than one country, the intuition and receptivity of an accomplished musician and artist, a talent for organization and reaching straight to the heart of things and understanding our human frailty. Hers was the all- embracing charity, which Christ ranked above all other virtues.”
    An outstanding educationist, blessed with generosity and greatness of heart, she was also an ardent lover of nature. Her sincerity and straight-forwardness, her culture and refinement, her foresight and zeal, her love for the Church and the Congregation did much to lead the Sisters along the path of progress. Mother Archange was Mother General from 1926-1944.

    Rev. Mother Mary Louise of the Holy Angels (1882-1981)

    A towering personality, Mother M. Louise our third Mother General infused in her daughters a deep Carmelite Spirituality. Mother incessantly endeavoured to instill in her daughters, by example more than by precept, a love for prayer and the interior life even while engaged in the active apostolate of teaching, caring for the destitute and orphans.

    A good helmsman, Mother M. Louise was steadfast in spirit, sturdy of heart and steady of purpose, both spiritually and morally. Her virtue was genuine and truly heroic. The light of the Holy Spirit, a guiding star all through her life, infused into Mother prudence, tact and discretion.
    Mother’s term from 1944 to1975 was an era of expansion, progress and change for the Congregation. During her term the Congregation was declared a Pontifical Religious Institute in 1950 and the brown Carmelite habit was changed to white. The vestition ceremony was replaced by the Rite of Initiation into the Religious Life. Foundations increased in countries outside India.

    Rev. Mother Mary Angela of the Resurrection (1916 - 1995)

    Mother Angela, our fourth Mother General was a gracious and elegant person who steered the Congregation to great heights. As a leader, she was strikingly superior in every respect first as Secretary General, as Councillor and later as Mother General. With authority, fervent energy and an irresistible urge for perfection, she forged ahead, fostering unity and ensuring that the Sisters did their best.

    A pioneer in many ways Mother started a New Novitiate in Pune due to the increase in the number of Aspirants during her time. Sisters were sent abroad for studies. Twenty-three Convents were started both in India and outside. Mother offered the services of our Congregation to the International Church in Rome – Collegio Missionaries Internazionale San Paolo Apostolo. The All Saints’ College was her biggest enterprise in the field of education. The Congregation was divided into four Regions for better administration and support as it had grown considerably during her tenure. Regional delegates were appointed and the code of governance given.

    Her commanding personality impressed one and all. A tower of strength and spirituality, her kindness, generosity, beneficence and munificence was unparalleled. Seminarians, Institutions, hospitals, families, several spiritual and social enterprises like the Home for the Aged were funded by her and even strangers benefited. With her charming smile, polite demeanour and the softness and warmth of a mother, she endeared herself to everyone.

    Mother was at the helm for twenty years from 1975 to 1995. She was a beacon light to the coming generations, the dreamer and shaper of the Congregation’s destiny.

    Rev. Mother Mary Frances of Holy Mary (1946)

    Mother M. Frances, the fifth Mother General focused on development and renewal. She urged the sisters to update their knowledge in Theology, Biblical studies, academics and other professional courses. Her approach to renewal was to overhaul Formation and instill a deep Carmelite spirituality and love for the interior life even while being engaged in an active apostolate. Her simple, charming, humble and humane personality won the hearts of all who interacted with her. Her love for nature was phenomenal and she completely changed the landscape of All Saints’ College during her time as Principal. A seasoned orator she could hold an audience spellbound as she spoke. The highlights of her tenure were the shifting of the Generalate to the serene campus of the All-Saints’ College, organization of Provinces and the Revision of the Constitutions and Directives. Though faced with many challenges, Mother Frances forged ahead valiantly to open new convents in Assam, the United States of America and Africa.

    Rev. Mother Mary Elma (1952)

    Mother Mary Elma, the sixth Mother General, with deep faith and trust in God, accepted the role of Superior General, knowing that He who chose her would guide her all through. She worked zealously and sincerely for strengthening and developing the existing institutions. Prior to this Sister Elma was in the Formation team and thereafter she was elected Provincial of the Kerala Province. In her early days she was sent to Africa, where she worked whole heartedly in that mission. She was very sensitive to the needs and did her best to keep the boys cheerful and happy.

    Soft spoken, calm and serene, with her gentle smile and sparkling wit, she added joy to the sisters on her rounds to the various convents, advising them to use freedom with responsibility.

    Sr. M. Elma forged ahead with great fidelity to duty, firm in the assurance that God watched over her, leading her to guide the Congregation to green pastures.

    Rev. Mother Mary Frances of Holy Mary (re - elected in May 2017)

    A golden jubilarian in her religious life Mother M. Frances, the seventh Mother General bears the stamp of a sagacious, enterprising and dynamic leader. An astute visionary, an amazing organizer, a prayerful guide blessed with wisdom, prudence and efficiency beyond her years, her tenure marks the significant growth of the Congregation. She began her apostolate as a Professor in English at All Saints’ College, Trivandrum, teaching students at the UG and PG levels, instilling in them a love for the language. A gifted educator, her inspiring presence touched numerous young minds. As Principal in the same prestigious Institution, she renewed the infrastructure and led the Institution to lofty heights of excellence in academics and extra-curricular activities. From sandy dunes to a beautiful clean verdant paradise, the astounding transformation of the campus bears testimony to Mother’s ingrained love for nature and a deep concern for the ecology. Today as its Corporate Manager, she spearheads the move to revamp and re-energise the Institution in its march towards the future.

    As Superior General for two and a half terms from 1996-2011, she shepherded the Congregation through its transitional phase which witnessed the decentralisation of power and the formation of Provinces. Blessed with innate humanity, a responsive heart, golden eloquence and wide contacts Mother is well known and loved. Re-elected in 2017, she leads the Congregation into the future, bestowed with grace, turning vision into reality.

    Sr Molly Attully CCR

    Superior General

    An endearing personality blessed with a compassionate heart, Sr. Molly touched the lives of many as a Teacher and Head of Institutions in
    • Maria Assumpta Convent, Kashipur
    • Queen of Angels Convent H.S.S, Baruch, Gujarat.
    • Sacred Heart Convent H.S.S Mathura, U.P.
    • Lecturer in St. Teresa’s Institute of Education, Mumbai.
    • Holy Angels Convent H.S.S Trivandrum.
    • Elected General Councillor for Education and Mission in 2011
    • Re-elected as in 2017 as Assistant Superior General and was in charge of Spirituality and ongoing Formation.
    • In 2023 elected as the Superior General.

    Sr Paulina I V CCR

    General Councillor of Formation and Vocation Promotion

    – Served as a Teacher, Headmistress and Animator.

    – Councillor to the Provincial of St. Joseph’s Province, Pune from 2014- 2017.

    – Vocation Promotor and Formator of St. Joseph’s Province, Pune.

    – In 2023 elected as the General Councillor for Formation.

    Sr Mary M M CCR

    General Councillor of of Finance

    – Served as a Teacher, Headmistress and Animator of Communities.

    – Provincial Councillor of St. Therese’s Province, Kerala for Education and Mission from 2008- 2011.

    – Elected as the Provincial Superior of St. Therese’s Province, Kerala from 2011- 2017.

    – In 2017 elected as the General Councillor and in 2023 re-elected as the General Councillor for Finance.

    Sr Clare D’Souza CCR

    General Councillor of Education and Social Apostolate

    – Served as a Teacher and Principal.

    – Provincial Councillor of St. Teresa’s Province, Mumbai from 2006 – 2014.

    – Provincial Superior for the St. Teresa’s Province, Mumbai from 2014- 2021.

    – Elected as the 2nd General Councillor in 2023.

    Sr Philda Varghese CCR

    General Councillor of Spirituality and Ongoing Formation

    – Served as a Teacher, Assistant Headmistress and Animator of the community.

    – Assistant Provincial of St. Joseph’s Province, Pune from 2014- 2017.

    – Provincial Superior of St. Joseph’s Province, Pune from 2017- 2023.

    – In 2023 elected as the Assistant Superior General.

    Sr Mary Carmel CCR

    Secretary General

    Served as a teacher in:

    • Infant Jesus Convent ISC School, Murukkumpuzha, Kerala.
    • Rosa Mystica Convent School, Kamalapuram, Telangana.
    • St. Teresa’s Secondary School, Mbooni, Kenya, East Africa.
    • Tassia Catholic Primary and Nursery School, Nairobi, Kenya.

    Assistant Headmistress at Tassia Catholic Primary and Nursery School, Nairobi, Kenya.

    Animator at Little Flower Convent, Nairobi, Kenya.

    Appointed as General Secretary in 2023.

    Sr Teresa Joseph CCR

    Bursar General

    Primary Teacher & Office Administrator,

    St. Paul’s Convent School, Dadar

    Assistant Teacher:

    • St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Jalgaon (1996 – 1998)
    • St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Khadki, Pune (1998 – 2007)

    Secretary to the Provincial Superior (2007 – 2008)

    Provincial Councillor in charge of Finance (2008 – 2014)

    Principal, St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Khadki (2010 – 2022)

    Provincial Bursar (2014 – 2017)

    Animator – in Wagholi for one year. 2022- 2023

    General Bursar (2023 – Present)