The Lamp Lighting and Oath Taking Ceremony of 63rd batch of GNM and 34thbatch of BSc Nursing students of Father Muller School and College of Nursing was held on February 20th 2021, in Father Muller Academy hall. The program commenced with a prayer dance by 2nd-year GNM Nursing students followed by the Lamp Lighting Ceremony. Dr Tereza Mathias Professor, Laxmi Memorial College of Nursing was the chief guest, presided over by Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions.
Sr. Jacintha D’Souza Principal Father Muller College of Nursing welcomed the gathering. As a mark of respect and honour, the dignitaries offered flower petals to the portraits of Florence Nightingale, founder of Modern Nursing and Fr Augustus Muller, founder of Father Muller Charitable Institutions.
Sr. Janet D’Souza, Chief Nursing Officer spoke on the significance of the day, illuming the novices and the gathering of the importance of the light of the lamp which is soothing and a beacon of help to be imbibed by all. The nursing leaders lit the lamps of 112 novice nursing students and passed on the light of wisdom, knowledge and compassion following which, they vowed to uphold their duties as nursing professionals, by swearing an oath, administered by Sr. Jacintha D’Souza, Principal, FMCON.
Chief Guest, Dr Tereza Mathias, in her address recalled the day she professed to her profession as a student of the Father Muller College of Nursing 1st batch in 1987 and from then has been a proud alumnus making it a point to meet and greet her teachers. She spoke of the quality and nature a nurse to-be should attain, to be team players in the medical treatment and to uphold the patient’s cause. This lamp lighting day is the most celebrated day only in the nursing profession. The light lit today is the ever reminder of the darkness outside (despair), hope and the burning for others (service with compassion). The 3 “H” head, heart and hand standing for the knowledge, attitude and skill, and 5 “C” commitment, compassion, communication, confidence and critical thinking should be followed by all. Her 30 years in service of her profession has taught her many lessons which she enumerated as 10 dictums to the gathering. Her message was well received as the audience responded with thunderous applause.
Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, in his presidential address, invited the students to be committed to their profession. Nurses should be honest in character, sound in mind, quick in observation, committed with respect, gossip free, sober and have devotion to God. Being an instrument of God you should partake in the wellness and healing of His people. Inculcate professional etiquette and learn keywords in hospitality “I’m sorry”, “Thank you”, “May I help You”, “I made a mistake”, “Excuse me”. Punctuality should replace lethargy; zeal and eagerness should always sustain to succeed.
The event was preceded by the Holy Eucharistic thanksgiving mass celebrated by Rev. Fr Ajith B. Menezes at 6:15 am.
Jasmine Saritha Vas delivered the vote of thanks. Carol Alphones compered the program. Fr Rudolf Ravi D’SaAdministrator FMMCH, Fr Ajith Menezes the administrator of FMMC were present on the dais.
Fr Nelson Dheeraj Pais Assistant Administrator FMMCH, Management committee members FMCI, staffs, students witnessed this event.
