Bengaluru: To mark the celebration of the Consecrated Life, a National Seminar on “Forever Yours: Fidelity and Perseverance in Consecrated Life” based on the document The Gift of Fidelity and the Joy of Perseverance was organised by SNYASA Institute for Consecrated Life at Carmelaram, Bengaluru on 28-29 January 2023.

Fr. Gonzalo Fernandez Sanz CMF, the Former Vicar General of Claretian Missionaries, was the Chief Guest for the celebration. The first plenary session on “Liquid Fidelity in a Fragmented World: A Reality Check” was delivered by Sr. Prabina Rudum IBVM, professor at Vidhyajothi College of Theology, Delhi. The speaker highlighted on liquid fidelity in this modern era and its impacts for fidelity and perseverance in consecrated life.

The second plenary session on “Honouring the Forever: Cultivating Fidelity and Perseverance” was delivered by Fr. Gonzalo Fernandez Sanz who emphasised on being faithful forever and underscored the ways to be faithful and to persevere in the light of the document Lumen Fidei. This was followed by Poster-presentation on various themes.

To conclude the day there was sharing of the Best Practices in Consecrated Life. Sr. Marina of Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of Good Shepherd shared the best practices of working in the field as daily coolies during the pre-novitiate period; Fr. Paulson Veliyannoor CMF, the best practice of conducting the General Chapter based on SAND (Synodal, Appreciative, Narrative and Discerning) Method and Novice Anjana of John the Baptist Congregation, the best practice of recalling the vocation story once a month.

The second day of the National Seminar started with a prayer dance. The third plenary session on “to Stay or Not to Stay: Discernment and Accompaniment” was presented by Sr. Anna Mary Thumma, SCCG, the Professor at National Vocation Service Centre, Pune. The fourth plenary session was delivered by Fr. Varghese Koluthura CMI, Professor at Dharmaram Vidhya Kshetra, Bengaluru on “Letting Go and Letting Be: Canonical Regulations in Departures. During the Case Clinic Session, three cases were presented and analysed by Fr. Varghese Koluthara, CMI together with the participants.  

The afternoon session began with a prayer dance and was followed by the panel discussion, moderated by Fr. Michael Plamparambil CMF, the Secretary and Dean of Studies of ICLS. The National Seminar came to an end with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by Fr. Gonzalo Fernandez Sanz, CMF.