Rome: Sr. Matilda Monteiro Defends Doctoral Thesis

Daijiworld Media Network - Rome

Rome, May 23: 18 May 2007 was a great day for Sr. Matilda Monteiro, it was equally a great day for the whole Congregation of the Sisters of Charity – also known as Sisters of Maria Bambina – to which Sr. Matilda belongs. It was after a long and tedious research of years, beginning from 1999, she publicly defended her doctoral thesis named: TO SHED EVEN ONE’S BLOOD FOR THE GOOD OF THE NEIGHBOUR IN IMITATION OF JESUS THE REDEEMER. The work throws light on the “Post-conciliar Renewal of Religious Life in the Institute of the Sisters of Charity of Saints Bartholomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa” – founders of the Congregation. The research focuses on the life of the congregation from 1963 to 1982, that is, during and especially after the Vatican Council II. There could not have been a better day for Sr. Matilda to receive  a “Doctorate in Theology” as the feast of the congregation was also on the same day

The thesis was defended at the Facoltà Teologica dell’Italia Settentrionale – Theological Faculty for Northern Italy – in Milan, Italy’s financial capital. During the discussion Sr. Matilda was very confident of her views as the professors tried to grill her. Sr. Matilda must be one of the rarest persons ever to have the Superior General of her congregation with her whole Council present to witness and encourage her. Prof. Fr. Elias Frank, her neighbour and friend, travelled from Rome to share in her joy. Sr. Matilda’s work is going to be of great use, not only for her congregation but others as well, as it deals with the crucial period in the life of the Church in general and the life of religious in particular.

Sr. Matilda hails from Bantwal, Modankap parish, and is the daughter of Mrs Alice and late M. Monteiro. She is the third of the eight children. Her eldest sister, Sr. Joy BS, is a Bethany Sister and is one of the Councillors. Her youngest brother, Fr. Dolphy, is a priest of the diocese of Mangalore and parish priest of Jeppu church. Her elder brother Richard Monteiro is a well known figure in Bantwal, both in Church and civil circles. Sr. Matilda, while in Milan was also involved in formation of the formators, who came from all the continents.