by Viju Mangalore for Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore
- Italy's angel no more
- She imparted real meaning to 'Olavinahalli' - the Village of Love
- Leaves behind scores of admirers and thankful inmates
Mangalore, Jun 20: Sr Amelia Cimolino, the patron of missionary project in Olavinahalli here died on Jun 19.
The Italian nun who served the lepers in Mangalore for the last 33 years was a motherly figure for the people of Olavinahalli.
A young mind in an aging body, Sr Amelia’s contribution to the region and her life dotted with sacrifices and tribulations, is a testimony to her burning love of God put into action.
Adios, Mother
Sr Amelia Cimolino was born on Sept 20 1912 in a small village named Carpacco in North East Italy. Her parents Antonio and Amelia were devout Catholics and their married life was blessed with six children. Their fourth child was Maria who was named Sr Amelia at her religious vestition. She is the last one to join the rest of her family members in Heaven.
As a young girl Maria enjoyed climbing the hills along with her friends. Ever active and vivacious, she was easily drawn towards the suffering persons. She made it a point to visit the sick in her neighbourhood.
All this later on helped her to be a strong missionary in Myanmar (known as Burma earlier) - to climb the hills, run into the forest, to hide and take shelter against danger and to care for the neediest.
After her studies, Maria worked for some time in a silk factory and was planning to settle down in life. But God's ways are wonderful, He had different plan for her.
During her retreat, she got her calling to be a religious. Responding to the call generously, Maria joined the Congregation of Sisters of Charity on December 8, 1932. Having completed her novitiate training in Bergamo, at her religious vestition she was named Amelia after her mother. Then she did a short-term course in nursing and healthcare.
In 1936 at the age of 24, she opted to be a missionary in Myanmar. In 1942 she offered herself totally to the Lord with her perpetual profession.
All her youthful life she spent in Myanmar serving and loving the poor, especially the orphans and thousands of leprosy patients in a leprosy colony. She was affectionately called by the people 'Nai Cavo' which means 'White Mother'.
During the Second World War she underwent great difficulties and it was very hard to take care of the poor for whom she was working. She was once kidnapped by the soldiers but she escaped, and she took the orphans and ran to the forest overnight. They spent several days in the forest eating green loaves. It was a hard battle against odds. She spent 34 years without visiting her home even once.
In 1970 she was in a dying state because of a near-fatal disease. Myanmar government decided to expel the foreign missionary to avoid her dying in their country. So Sr Amelia was sent back to Italy alive in a stretcher. That was her first return to her native land. Meantime a requiem mass was offered for her in Italy as they received the false news of her death. But here too God's plan was different. Gradually she regained her health.
Then she expressed the desire to the Superior General to return as a missionary to India. Her request was granted and she was sent to Mangalore Province. She arrived in Mangalore on Mar 12, 1972.
She expressed her desire to the then Provincial Superior to work for the lepers. She managed to buy a land with the help of her benefactors aid named it Olavinahalli which means a "Village of love". Her dream became a reality on Nov 1, 1974, when a new community was started at Olavinahalli. She picked up 3 lepers from the roadside, one from Wenlock hospital and two from Kankanady, and started a tiny Rehabilitation Centre.
Olavinahalli what it is today is mainly due to her efforts and co-operation of her foreign benefactors.
Sr Amelia was a person of strong determination. Whatever plans and projects came to her mind, she saw that it was carried out immediately. Her will power to get things done fast by government officers made her to go even several times a day to them.
Sr Amelia was an affectionate and generous person. She was very particular about hospitality towards the visitors. She always spoke the language of love. She was a person full of compassion and love for the people of Olavinahalli.
Though she did not know the local language, she used two words ‘Shanti Samadhan’.
In July 1997 she had a fall and broke the right hip bone which was operated upon and was able to walk slowly. Then she went to Italy during June 1999 and returned shortly. Once again in June 2002 she had a fall and she broke the left hip bone which was also operated on nd set right.
As she was advancing in age with her both legs broken she was feeling more discomfort every now and then. Itching all over tine body was unbearable and this used to occur very often. All possible medication and consultations were done but of no use to Sr Amelia.
Finally in December 2004 Provincial Superior thought of sending her to Italy for treatment as well as to see whether change of weather would do any good to her. She agreed to go on one condition, that is to return to Olavinahalli soon and also expressed her desire to die in India. So she went to Italy in January 2005 and returned in March 2005.
She had yet another fall in August 2005 and broke the right shoulder bone, after which she was very careful to move around the house. On May 23 her body appeared to be turning yellow in colour and she was admitted to the hospital on May 24. The MRI test revealed a cancer of the Pancreas. Surgery was not advisable.
Slowly her health was declining. She was serene and peaceful. She suffered her pain cheerfully. She went to her heavenly abode on June 19 at 11.05 am.
Sr Amelia the patron of the Olavinahalli served in Mangalore for 33 years.
Her mortal remains were kept at Olavinahalli on Jun 19 and later brought to Infant Mary Convent where hundreds gathered to offer this model missionary their last respect.
The funeral mass will be held at 4 pm on Tuesday, June 20 in St Joseph’s Church, Jeppu.