Mangaluru: Cloistered Carmel Sisters held a press meet at the Chapel premises opposite Fr Muller Hospital Kankanady here on March 9
Addressing the mediapersons Fr Pius James OCD said that the Mangaluru Carmel was founded by the initiative of Bishop Marie Ephrem, drawing personnel from the Carmel of Pau in France. In the first batch, 6 sisters came along with 3 Apostolic Carmelities but three of them died on the way. Mary Bowardy along with the apostolic Carmel sisters were accommodated at St Ann’s convent near Holy Rosary Cathedral Mangaluru not far from the port at which they had disembarked in the year 1870 on November 19.
They stayed in Mangaluru for 12 years. It was here that Bl Mary of Jesus crucified manifested her paranormal phenomenon of levitation and prophecy. Unable to interpret these signs rightly she was asked by the concerned authorities to return to France. Soon after Msgr Cavadini, the first Jesuit ordinary of Mangaluru acquired extensive land around Kankanady, which today accommodates the prestigious inter-diocesan seminary. St Joseph’s industries and Fr Muller Multi specialty hospital along with the cloistered Carmel.
Mother Marie Celine OCD said, “Mary Bowardy after returning to Pau for three years before returning to help found the first Palestine. In September 1875 she helped to found a new monastery in Bethlehem, the first of the order in that region, where she lived until her death. During her whole life, she experienced periods or religious ecstasy frequently throughout the day. In April 1878 Marium played an important role in the identification of the Biblical Emmaus thanks to a private revelation. She died on August 26 1878 in Bethlehem from cancer which developed in her bones as a result of the fall she had while working in the monastery, which led to gangrene that spread to her lungs. The cause of canonization started on May 18, 1827 and would culminate with the decree of heroic virtue on November 27, 1981. Sister Mary of Jesus crucified was beatified of Pope John Paul II on November 13, 1983 and is scheduled to be canonized on May 17, 2015 by Pope Francis.
She also said that there are 34 Cloistered Carmel Chapels in India and Mangaluru Chapel is the first one in India.
Sr Mary Imelda OCD, Sr Jacintha OCCD, Sr Linette AC, Fr Antony George SCJ, Elias Fernandes and Stany Bantwal were also present.
