India: Goa Religious Congregation Marks Foundation Day with Tree-Planting Initiative

The Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Goa, western India, marked its 91st Foundation Day with a tree-planting drive on June 18, reaffirming its commitment to environmental stewardship.

The initiative was held at Houstint, Sancoale, in conjunction with Vana Mahotsav, India's annual tree-planting festival, and paid tribute to the congregation's founder, Fr. Faustinho de Souza, who promoted afforestation decades before environmental conservation became a global concern.

According to the congregation, Fr. de Souza actively encouraged tree planting wherever he served. One of his best-known initiatives took place at St. Francis Xavier Chapel in Duler, a locality in Mapusa, north Goa. Upon his appointment there, he found the surrounding area overgrown and largely unused. Working with local youth, he helped clear the land and encouraged the planting and care of trees, transforming the area into a more welcoming community space.

The tree-planting drive comes amid ongoing public discussions in Goa regarding development projects and their environmental impact. Concerns have been raised by environmental groups and residents over the removal of trees for infrastructure projects, including road widening and flyover construction.

The event was led by Sr. Berna Rodrigues, Superior General of the congregation, and attended by Sr. Estella Pereira, Community Animator, and Sr. Neves Azevedo, the senior-most member of the community. Teachers and students from St. Joseph Vaz High School, sisters in formation, and other members of the congregation also participated.

More than 20 saplings were planted during the program. Participants not only planted the saplings but also watered them and pledged to care for them in the years ahead.

Organizers said the initiative was intended to honor the congregation's founding vision while contributing to environmental sustainability and biodiversity in the local community.