Born : 01.09.1953
Entered Bethany : 30.06.1971
First Profession : 06.05.1976
Perpetual Profession : 06.05.1982
Slept in the Lord : 06.06.2022
Sr Monthi Mary BS (69 years) of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore, passed away on 06 June 2022 at 5.40pm at St Raymond’s Convent, Vamanjoor. She is the daughter of late Manuel D Souza and late Agnes D Souza belonging to St Antony Church, Anthonykatte of Mangalore Diocese. She has four brothers and three sisters. Her funeral rites will be held on Tuesday, 07 June at St Raymond’s Convent, Vamanjoor at 3.00 pm.
Sr Monthi Mary completed her primary education at Little Flower Hr Pry School and High School at Holy Family, Bajpe. She joined Bethany on 30 June 1971. She made her first profession on 06 May 1976 and Perpetual Profession on 06 May 1982, offering herself totally to the Lord. She had great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Blessed Virgin Mary.
She was a spirit-filled person, who drew her strength from the Eucharistic Lord. She would sit in the chapel and gaze at the Eucharistic Lord for long hours. Every evening she would say to one of the sisters to wake her up for mass so that she receives Holy Communion. Though she was present daily for the Eucharistic celebration, in times of ill-health she would humbly request the superior to give her the Communion. On her own she used to go near the tabernacle during the day and even at night and speak to Jesus heart to heart. She was a great devotee of Mother Mary. She prayed many rosaries throughout the day.
She was a religious wrapped in silence and endured her sufferings patiently. All those who have known and lived with her will testify that she is a prayerful and a pleasant person. She displayed a tender attitude towards the young and old all through her life. She was affectionate and sought the company of sisters; faithful for all the community exercises including recreation. She possessed the qualities of love, cheerfulness, concern and sensitivity. She loved the poor and was loyal to the Congregation.
She served at Bethany Mother House Bendur, Genazzano Convent Taccode, Bethel Convent Permannur, Nazareth Convent Bajpe, Lisieux Convent Puttur and St Raymond’s Convent, Vamanjoor. She rendered her service as a teacher in these places as well as at Rosa Mystica and St Joseph’s Hr Pry School, Kulshekar. She had created an impact on her students and they would come to visit her with much affection and gratitude.
Even on 6 June she joined the sisters near the Grotto of our Lady and prayed a decade of Rosary, asked the blessings of the sisters who were with her and was on her way to the Chapel. Before she could reach the chapel she suddenly collapsed due to cardiac arrest and made her total surrender to the Lord peacefully. Her death was confirmed by Sr Dr Jeevitha BS from Concetta Hospital, Kinnigoli. The community members along with Sr Cicilia Mendonca the Provincial Superior, Sr Vithalis the local superior rushed to her bed side and offered prayers for the departed. Her sudden demise shocked the entire community.
I extend my sincere condolences to Sr Cicilia Mendonca, the Provincial Superior and all the sisters of Mangalore Province; Sr Vithalis, the local Superior and the members of Sr Raymond’s Convent, Vamanjoor.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.
Sr Rose Celine BS
Superior General