Mother General wanted to experience travelling by train in India, the possibility of going to Mangalore from Goa by ‘Vandhe Bharat’ was not to let-go at any cost. The view of the wonderful scenery of the trees, mountains and the sunset of the coastal region did not last long as the night-fell quickly. Just a few minutes before the train could arrive at Mangalore, a light moment was shared by the travellers as one of them pressed with her feet on the ‘foot-press’ and the seats rotated.
After a delay of 15 min the train arrived late night at Mangalore. Mother Thomasin Maria, Sr. Jyothi Mary and Sr. Clementina welcomed Mother General and Mother Assistant Marie Rose with lovely fresh flower bouquets. The drive down to our Home was short, since it was not very far. The Little Sisters who were waiting at the door, with little pots of ragi sprouts – sign of hope and a little flag with the logo of the Jubilee Year in it, sang a Welcome song as Mother General came out of the vehicle.
On February 25th at 11 a.m., the Residents and Staff dressed in their best, awaited Mother General and Mother Assistant Marie Rose with small Indian, Spanish and French flags at the main gate for the official welcome. As soon as they got down from the vehicle, two Little Sisters took them under the shade of the big royal golden umbrellas meant for honourable Guests and escorted them to the main entrance with music. As they climbed the steep slope, on one side were garlands of colourful paper flags on the building and on the other side colourful paper vases with paper flowers stuck on broom sticks and were pricked into the banana stems which looked attractive. There, 3 Residents elegantly dressed in suit, were holding a big Indian, Spanish and French flag. As they approached, the eldest Resident (95 yrs old) in the Home, dressed typically in white shirt and dhoti offered water in the traditional manner in a little steel container. Another Resident offered betel leaves and arecanuts in a steel plate according to the custom of the region.
Then, Mother General was invited to unveil the new Logo of the Congregation fixed on the wall.
The original paintings of Mr. James Collinson depicting the Little Sisters of the Poor serving the Elderly!
After that as she entered, a breath taking living scene of Hospitality by James Collinson seized the attention and admiration of one and all. The scene of the men’s dining hall was in the reception and that of the Ladies was behind the glass doors of the Exhibition of St. Jeanne Jugan. The Residents and Employees dressed maximum to the little details of the painting, portrayed themselves to perfection. One could not marvel at other things after seeing both the scenes. Mother General and Mother Assistant Marie Rose posed for photos inside the scene and the characters were thrilled and delighted to see that Mother General was pleased with their display.
After that Mother General advanced as she wished all the Residents who were in the corridor. Later, Mother General and Mother Assistant Marie Rose passed in the dining halls to wish the Residents and distribute gifts. First, they went to the Men’s Infirmary, where all of them with green sashes around their neck and a paper hat on their heads, fabricated with paper plates with ‘Welcome dear Mothers’ on it, sang and offered a bouquet of flowers and amused with bursting the balloons.
Then, in the Ladies Infirmary decorated with palm leaves falling from the ceiling, all had a stick with each letter of ‘HAPPY WELCOME’ in their hands and sang a hymn to Our Lady and on behalf of all, one of the Residents expressed her joy of welcoming Mother General and the long-time desire to see her finally fulfilled and assured her prayers. Another Resident graciously sang a beautiful song ‘there is a smile on your face’. Finally in the big dining hall, all the Residents waved out their glittering papers as they sang a ‘Welcome’ song and offered bouquets.
Soon after, Mother General spoke to the Staff in the Ladies Sitting Room, distributed gifts to them and took photos with them.
At 3.30 p.m. the Holy Eucharist was presided over by Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore His Excellency Aloysius Paul D’Souza and concelebrated by Fr. Victor Machado, the Chaplain, Fr. Michael Tauro, Resident Priest and two other Priests.
Immediately after mass, all proceeded to the Multipurpose Hall. The entrance door was adorned with a branch of the palm tree, the ceiling was decorated again with palm leaves. On the backdrop of the stage, was a ‘Welcome’ poster and the Logo of the Congregation and of the Jubilee Year with lamps and flowers. On the border of the stage, little pots of green sprouts symbolizing hope, plants and bunches of whole arecanuts added to the decoration. Down below, in the middle of the rangoli, a branch of a coconut flower was planted in a big brass vessel of paddy seeds as a sign of prosperity. At the corner, amidst plants and creepers was a painting of St. Jeanne Jugan, carrying an old person. As Mother General and Mother Assistant Marie Rose entered, everyone clapped and the Residents honoured them with ‘Ponnadai’ and garlands. Then, a Resident gave a short welcome speech, followed by a prayer song by the AJJ with little lighted lamps. After that, while waiting for the next item, Dr. Jessy D’Souza sang ‘One day at a time Lord Jesus’ and then a dance was performed unitedly by the Ladies in the wheel-chairs placed in front of the stage, a few valid Residents, AJJ and the Employees.
Then, Mother General said a few words and Fr. Victor Machado gave the vote of thanks. Thereafter, Mother General was pleased to meet the families of the Little Sisters and posed for photos. The families too were equally happy and left with souvenirs and snacks boxes.
The evening schedule concluded with a short meeting with the AJJ and distribution of souvenirs to them as well.
Even before realising the end of VISIT at ‘Musical Mangalore’, it was already time to say ‘good-bye’ to this beautiful palm-fringed coastline area of the blue Arabian Sea. On the 1st of March, at around 10.15 a.m., the Community, Residents, AJJ and the Employees were gathered in the Reception area and bid ‘good-bye’ to Mother General and Mother Assistant Marie Rose with their little Jubilee flags. Already after the morning mass, when all were gathered to pray near the statue of St. Joseph at the entrance, Fr. Victor Machado, Chaplain profited to thank Mère on behalf of all, and assured prayers for her intentions and all sang a little refrain in Konkani. The Resident Priest Fr. Michael Tauro in his turn, profited to brush-up his vocabulary in Spanish by talking to Mère. On the way, just to give a glimpse of place where the previous Home was situated, the vehicle passed by Bajjodi, awakening many memories of the good old days.
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