India’s Bethany congregation gets first four Tanzanian members

Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, an Indian catholic religious congregation, on Jan. 23 added four Tanzanians to its fold.
Novices Clara Mariamu, Anitha Fadhila, Bernadeta Nonkondo and Veronica Mamue pronounced the first vows at a function in Divine Mercy Church in Mwanga, a town in northern Tanzania at the foot of the north Pare Mountains.
Sister Rose Celine, superior general of the Mangalore-based congregation, also known as the Bethany Sisters, received the vows from their first Tanzanian members during a Mass officiated by Bishop Rogath Kimaryo of Same.
Local priests joined those from India’s Mangalore diocese who have been working in the diocese of Same for decades concelebrated the Mass.
The ceremony coincided with the 146th birth Anniversary of the congregation’s founder, Servant of God Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas. The gathering of about 300 people danced to the rhythm of Bethany Anthem during the entrance procession according to the custom of the Tanzanian culture.
Also present were Sister Lillita, a general councillor of the congregation, and many other religious sisters.
After the profession, the congregation sang the Magni-ficat, the song Mary from the Bible, thanking God for their gift to Bethany and to the Church.
Sister Celine said the new members are the fruit of the labour of their sisters in Tanzania Mission, which was started in 2013.