Verghese V Joseph –
Bengaluru’s own “von Trapp” family – the Abreos – turned a December morning at Jyothi Seva Home and School for Blind Children at Venkatespura into a living carol of faith, music and gratitude, as they brought Christmas cheer to some of the city’s most vulnerable yet radiant children on December 19.
A morning wrapped in gratitude
The celebration opened with a warm welcome from Sr. Pauline, fsc, who spoke not merely as a host but as a witness to more than two decades of friendship between the Abreo family and Jyothi Seva. She reminded the gathering that this was no ordinary visit, calling the Abreos “far more than a supporter…a pillar of strength, a true friend, and a guiding light whose generosity has touched countless hearts.”
The Jyothi Seva Home and School for Blind Children, run by the Jyothi Seva Society of the Franciscan Sisters Servants of the Cross, exists to care for and educate visually impaired children in a spirit of Catholic compassion and Franciscan simplicity. Rooted in a charism that began with blind foundress Mother Elizabeth Czacka in 1918, the sisters have built a home where children discover dignity, confidence and purpose in spite of the darkness they live with physically.
Dance as silent prayer
The Christmas programme unfolded like a visual hymn, even for those who could not see it, beginning with a dance described as a silent prayer glorifying God. Performed by visually impaired girls, every step and gesture carried a depth that words could not capture, their graceful movements touching the hearts of all present and reflecting a devotion that transcended sight.
Little children soon took the stage to depict the gift of Baby Jesus to the world, their smiles and simple choreography reminding the audience that Christmas joy is, at its core, tender, unadorned and pure. This was followed by a melodious rendition of the carol “Sing to the Lord a New Song,” carrying the timeless message of Christ’s birth, peace and joy into the hall and, more importantly, into the hearts listening in hope.
The boys of Jyothi Seva added colour and energy with a vibrant Christmas Tree dance, their enthusiasm turning the stage into a celebration of life and possibility. As performance followed performance, it became evident that dance had become one of the most beautiful ways for these children to express the happiness Christmas had brought into their hearts, despite the many challenges they face daily.
The Abreos: A family that sings and serves
When the Abreo children stepped forward for the finale, the hall met them not just as performers, but as old friends returning home. Their touching renditions of Christmas carols filled the space with harmony and warmth, as if the much-loved Sound of Music had gently descended into the heart of Bengaluru.
Bengaluru can indeed boast of its very own “von Trapp Family” in the Abreos – Dr Gerard, his musically gifted wife Nicole, and their nine children: Michael Joseph, Daniel, Christine Marie, Maria Therese, Jane Elizabeth, Rachel Ann, John Paul, Luke Walter and Joseph. Seven of the children play the violin, a gift nourished by Nicole, who holds a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Toronto, and by a rich musical heritage on both sides of the family that includes the “Abreo Quartet” Dr Abreo once played with in Bengaluru in the 1970s and 80s.
Today’s five of Abreos’ children performed at Jyothi Seva Homes. The eldest daughter is married and couldn’t make it to Bangalore. The three elder boys too couldn’t make to Bangalore as they had to visit Switzerland and Goa.
Now a managing partner at Southeast Houston Cardiology in Texas and a Fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the American College of Cardiology, Dr Gerard Abreo lives in Houston with Nicole and their nine children, yet his heart returns yearly to Bengaluru and Mangaluru. Each visit becomes a mission: the family organizes musical performances with children from orphanages, homes for the aged and institutions like Jyothi Seva, combining artistry with a deep sense of Christian duty.
A cardiologist of hearts and Eucharist
Dr Abreo is known in medical circles as an accomplished cardiologist in India and abroad, but in faith communities he is increasingly recognised as a “cardiologist of the Eucharist.”
Currently, Dr. Abreo is a cardiology specialist in Webster, Texas, United States and has over 31 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from St John’s Medical College Bangalore India in 1991. He is affiliated with medical facilities Houston Healthcare Clear Lake and Houston Healthcare Mainland. He is grateful for his Catholic upbringing, faith, education and morals.
He has witnessed extraordinary moments of healing and grace while serving as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion in hospital wards during the pandemic.
In one powerful testimony, he recounts how a retired bishop collapsed during a Confirmation Mass, seemingly on the brink of a medical emergency, only to experience rapid recovery after receiving the sacraments and simple but timely care. He also narrates multiple instances where gravely ill patients, including those facing sepsis, organ failure and severe heart conditions, experienced unexpected turnarounds after receiving the Eucharist, encounters that deepened not just their faith, but also their trust in God’s goodness amid suffering.
For Dr Abreo, miracles are not distant legends but grace-filled events unfolding in “tear-soaked hospital rooms,” and he sees physical healing as a sign that leads to deeper conversion of the heart. Grateful for his Catholic upbringing, education and moral formation in India, he often insists that his nine children are not a burden but “God’s gifts,” and that God Himself leads and watches over their large, joy-filled household.
A mission of light at Jyothi Seva
At Jyothi Seva, the Abreos’ long association is much more than seasonal charity; it is a relationship woven over more than 20 years of presence, patronage and prayer. The family has consistently lent a helping hand to blind children and similar initiatives, ensuring that those on the margins are not forgotten in the city’s rush.
In his message during the programme, Dr Abreo called it a “blessing” to begin the day with Holy Mass, noting that celebrating the Eucharist with the Jyothi Seva children added a special depth of reverence and sanctity to the occasion. The proceedings of the day were seamlessly anchored by Sr Daniela, fsc, whose calm presence and careful compering allowed each performance and each word of gratitude to shine.
For the sisters of the Franciscan Servants of the Cross, whose congregation was born from the vision of a blind foundress, the partnership with the Abreos is another reminder that God continues to write stories of hope through ordinary people who choose to love extraordinarily. And for the children of Jyothi Seva, the visit of Bengaluru’s very own “von Trapp Family” was more than entertainment; it was an encounter with a family whose music, faith and generosity turned a December day into a timeless memory of light.
If you are inspired to support Jyothi Seva Home and School for Blind Children, please do so at the below mentioned details.
Kindly note it is mandatory to provide Address, Phone Number, and PAN Number once the Donation done to the Society.
Account Name: Jyothi Seva Society Franciscan Sisters Servants of the Cross
Bank Account No: 0337-012277051
A/C Type: Savings Bank
Name of Bank: Catholic Syrian Bank
Branch: Richards Town
Address: No 3/1, Clarke Road, Frazer Town P.O., Bangalore: 560005
Branch Code: 337
IFS Code: CSBK000037
Swift Code: CSYBIN55
MICR: 560047008
www.jyothiseva.org
Great service through music ministry. God bless them all. But 9 kids today that’s really too much.