by Fr Lorens D’Silva
Karwar, January 27: Hundreds of people and school children took part in the funeral procession of Sr Mary Amata, a veteran Carmelite nun who died at the age of 93 at St Michael’s Convent here on Monday January 25.
The funeral left the convent at 10.am. Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of Assumption, Kajubag, by the Bishop of Karwar, Rt Rev Dr Derek Fernandes along with a large number of priests from the diocese.
In his funeral homily Bishop Derek Fernandes said, “Sr Amata radiated joy to whoever came in contact with her” adding further he said, “ Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and Sr Amata was filled with the Holy Spirit, she could radiate that joy to everyone. She was highly intellectual, having acquired a postgraduate qualification at a time when women were not exposed so much to the world. Her first death was when she entered the religious life -she died to the world to serve the Lord. She did the will of God till the end of her life.”
Sr Philomena Viegas, provincial superior, who came down from Pune for the funeral said, “93 years ago when Sr Amata saw the light of day, little did the world know that a gentle soul was placed amongst us. A soul who would one day bring joy to her parents, relatives and friends and a shining example to her students, the teaching fraternity and very specially to us her Sisters of the Congregation of the Carmelite Religious.”
Sr Amata was endowed with a sharp and keen intellectual caliber and was a teacher par excellence. She taught in schools at Santa Cruz, Sandor, Byculla, Bhusawal and Jalgaon. She was the headmistress of the renowned Schools at Karwar, Matheran and Mathura and the principal of our prestigious Matrathi PTC, College Papdy and All Saints’ College at Trivandrum.
Sr Provincial further said, “As an educationist she carried out her responsibilities with great confidence, patience and understanding. Her service was laced with love, compassion, sincerity and generosity. Her beneficiaries were the poor and deserving students. Sister had a special corner for St. Michael’s Convent School, Karwar. She loved Karwar so much that the Good Lord granted Sister the privilege of being laid to rest in Karwar, the place of her heart’s desire and amongst the community where she gave her best service for 40 years. Her students the world over and their parents as well, will always remember Sister Amata as the ‘ Gentle and Noble Guru ’ of St. Michael’s Convent School, Karwar, who lit the candles of pure love and light in their hearts and minds, to brighten their lives and those of their families.”
“Sr Amata’s striking characteristics were her simplicity and her humility. Wherever she was placed, she lived a contented life and did not aspire to any greatness or desire for praise and recognition, either in the educational field or in the congregation. Her life was filled with grace and dignity and her very presence inspired and delighted people of all walks of life. Sister never had an unkind thought or word for any one.”
Sr Mary Amata nee Gladys Mary Magdelene was born on May 15 1917 to God fearing parents Alphonsus and Dulcine Rebello at Mangalore. She is the eldest among her seven siblings, five sisters and two brothers. In 1938 she entered the portal of Holy Angels’ Convent, Trivandrum. She was faithful to her Divine spouse and the mission entrusted to her.
She will always be remembered for her quiet, unassuming and gentle demeanor. Being a woman of prayer, she had tremendous trust and faith in God which she infused in all those who came in contact with her. She stood firmly and audibly for Christ, her Saviour and friend.
One of Sister’s most striking virtues was obedience. Her Superior, who ever she was, held God’s place for her and claimed her reverence. Her orders and wishes were faithfully obeyed. Sister observed her rules and lived her community life faithfully to the very end – a long life indeed of fidelity to God and to her religious commitment. Her last days found her more united to God.
As she lived, so she died. She lived a simple, silent, obedient, prayerful, trustful life of total love and self surrender. So, too, was her death – a silent, speedy winged flight to God.