Purushottam Nayak –
Dantoling, Odisha — In a moving celebration of faith and devotion, Sisters Bharati Behera and Sasmita Behera marked their Silver Jubilee, completing 25 years of religious life with the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Anne, Bangalore (SAB). The milestone was honoured on September 15, 2026, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Dantoling, Berhampur Diocese, drawing approximately 500 Catholics, 25 priests, and 15 religious sisters from across southern Odisha.
Father Sanjeeb Nayak, Vicar General of the Berhampur Diocese and principal celebrant, described the occasion as “more than a milestone; it is a testimony to God’s faithfulness.” In his homily, he urged the sisters to view their Jubilee not as a conclusion but as “a new beginning,” calling them to renew their commitment through prayer, service, sacrifice, and love.
Both sisters, natives of Dantoling, entered religious life in 2002 and made their final profession in 2010. Born into large Catholic families—Bharati as the third of four siblings and Sasmita as the youngest of ten—they completed their secondary education locally before answering their vocation.
Sister Bharati, born in 1980, reflected on her unexpected yet faithful journey: “Twenty-five years ago, I simply said ‘yes’ to God without knowing where that journey would take me. Today, when I look back, I see how faithfully God has walked with me through every joy, difficulty and unexpected moment.” She expressed deep gratitude to her family, fellow sisters, and all who supported her ministry.
Sister Sasmita, born in 1979, echoed these sentiments, describing their shared path as “a beautiful journey of learning, growing, serving and trusting God.” Acknowledging both moments of happiness and times of doubt, she affirmed that divine strength sustained her throughout. “As I begin this next chapter, my prayer is simple: that I may remain close to Christ, love people more deeply and be useful wherever God sends me,” she said.
John Baptist, father of Sister Bharati, voiced the pride felt by families: “As parents, there is no greater joy than seeing our daughter happy in the life she chose. We have watched her grow through these 25 years, with its joys, sacrifices and challenges.” The celebration concluded with a communal meal, symbolising unity and shared gratitude.
The Sisters of St. Anne, Bangalore, trace their origins to 1857, when Bishop Stephen Louis Charbonnaux founded the congregation to serve Indian women through education and pastoral ministry. Initially guided by the Good Shepherd Sisters of Angers, France, the congregation became autonomous in 1959 and was elevated to a Religious Institute of Pontifical Right in 1992. Today, 694 sisters serve in 123 communities across India and abroad, continuing their charism of “Evangelization through loving service.”