Sr M Olivia BS

                                    Sr M Olivia BS of the Sacred Heart

Born                                       : 24.12.1941

Entered Bethany                   : 31.05.1960

Temporary Profession          : 04.05.1962

Perpetual Profession            : 03.05.1968

Slept in the Lord                   : 21.05.2021

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Phill:21-23)

These words from the scripture came true in the life of Sr Olivia who was full of grace and charm, vibrating with life and beaming with joy, a faithful, trustedhandmaid of the Lord. She was eagerly waiting to meet the Lord and commended her soul to Him peacefully at the early hours of the day on May 21^st 2021 at the age of 80and 59 th  year of her religious life.

Sr M Olivia BS nee Benedict Sequeira was born on 24^th Dec 1941 to the God-fearing parents of the late Mr Xavier Sebastian Sequeira and the late Mrs Apoline Sequeira. She hails from Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church Kinnigoli. Mangalore Diocese. She was a lovely sister to her four brothers and three sisters.

Sr Olivia completed her Primary and High School education at Little Flower High School Kinnigoli and then joined Bethany on May 31^st 1960. She made her first profession on May 4^th 1962 and Perpetual Profession on May 3^rd 1968 and offered herself totally to the Lord. She had great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Blessed Mother. She spent long hours before the Blessed Sacrament. She was prompt to rise early and spend the day in the presence of the Lord drawing divine energy from Him. The celebration of the Eucharist was her breath. She would intercede for the needs of the world and the suffering humanity and especially pray for good death for those who were at the verge of death and had none to pray for. She would never fail to pray for the sinners and the souls in purgatory. She would always seek the protection of her guardian Angel. On every Thursday she would pray for the priests especially for those working in the mission areas. She was a devotee of St Joseph

As an efficient teacher and Head Mistress she rendered her services at St Xavier’s Convent Ajekar, Santa Cruz Convent Kulshekar, Rosa Mystica Convent Kinnikambla, Maryvale Convent Kinnigoli, and enlightened thousands of students through her life and example, compassion and commitment.She was a person of strong will. 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, sensitivity and generosity. She was committed and loyal to the Congregation.

From 2020 March onwards her health deteriorated due to age related ailments. She was suffering from Diabetes, Hypertension, IHD (Ischemic Heart Disease). She was treated at Fr Muller’s Hospital Kankanady, as she showed improvement she was brought back to the community. In the month of March 2021, she was again admitted to Concetta Hospital, Kinnigoly for medical care. As she expressed her desire to be brought back to Rosa Mystica Convent, she was discharged from the hospital. Then onwards she was totally confined to bed and was attended by the sisters and care taker for all her needs. She was given the Sacrament of anointing of the sick and spiritual assistance. As the days passed byshe was preparing herself to meet the Lord and endured her sufferings silently and offered them to the Lord. Her family members would visit her often and give her consolation, comfort and strength.

It was on 21 May, as usual the Superior Sr Juliana Monis paid visit to Sr Olivia in the morning at 6.00 am prayed at her bed side and returned to the chapel for common prayer. Around 6.30 am the care taker Neha noticed the uneasiness on her face and immediately the superior was called for and meanwhile the sisters gathered around her bedside offered prayers for the peaceful home going of Sr Olivia. Thus, she commended her soul at 6.30am into the hands of Jesus Christ the master of her life.

The mortal remains of Sr Olivia were placed at Rosa Mystica Convent Chapel from 7am onwards. The Novices, newly perpetually professed sisters, candidates and the sisters of the community accompanied her through prayers. As per the Covid 19 protocol and guidelines only few members of the family were present for the funeral.