Sr M Edmund BS

                                       Sr M Edmund BS of the Holy Family

Born                                       : 16.01.1941

Entered Bethany                   : 24.05.1962

Temporary Profession          : 05.05.1964

Perpetual Profession             : 06.05.1970

Slept in the Lord                   : 15.07.2025

Sr M Edmund BS, nee Rita Monteiro, aged 84, is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore Province, peacefully flew to her eternal abode on 15^th July 2025 at 04.30 pm at Concetta Hospital, Kinnigoli. She was born to the Late Alex Monteiro and the Late Seraphina Veigas in Permannur on 16^th January 1941. She was the youngest of three children, her elder brother and sister have predeceased her. She belongs to Infant Mary Church, Bajjodi of Mangalore Diocese.

Sr Edmund completed her elementary education at Infant Mary’s Higher Primary School in Jeppu, High School studies at Sacred Hearts’ High School, Kulshekar, and pursued her Teacher Training at Rosa Mystica TTI, Kinnikambala. She joined the Bethany Congregation on 24^th May 1962, made her Temporary Profession on 5^th May 1964, and her Perpetual Profession on 6^th May 1970. She later obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mysore University.

Sr Edmund’s pastoral zeal was truly remarkable. She radiated Christ’s love through her simplicity, joy, and deep concern for others. Her teaching mission led her to serve in various places, including Kulshekar, Moodubelle, Basrur, Kawdoor, Permannur, Sampaje, Ranipura, Padukone, Puttur, Karkal, Shubhada, Kinnikambala, and the mission stations at Bidar, Hebbal, and finally at Kinnigoli. Sr Edmund was a true and joyful religious, humble, loving and selfless. Her life was a testimony of faith and service.

With a compassionate heart, Sr Edmund dedicated her life to teaching, especially focusing on little children, the poor, and those marginalized by society. She had a deep love for slow learners and children without family support, whom she cared for with motherly affection while serving as a hostel warden. Her commitment extended beyond the classroom, as she actively reached out to generous donors to secure educational support for underprivileged children. She gave generously of whatever she had, never keeping anything for herself, embodying a spirit of selfless service and deep faith.

In her final years, Sr Edmund was involved in the prayer ministry at Maryvale Convent, Kinnigoli. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma, she endured her suffering with serenity and joy. On 9^th July, she was admitted to Concetta Hospital, Kinnigoli due to high blood pressure. Tests confirmed a brain haemorrhage, after which she remained in a critical and unconscious state.  On the eve of Bethany’s 104^th Foundation Day, the Lord called this precious flower of Bethany to bloom in His eternal garden. As we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, may our Blessed Mother intercede for her and lead her to the heavenly embrace of Jesus.

The mortal remains of Sr Edmund were blessed on Thursday, 17 July 2025 at 09.00 am at Maryvale Convent followed by Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, Kinnigoli. Rev Fr Daniel Veigas, the Episcopal Vicar for Religious of the Diocese of Mangalore, officiated the Eucharistic celebration and preached a meaningful and touching homily, joined by eight other priests. A large number of Sisters from various communities, Novices, Hostellers, Sr Edmund’s nieces, nephews and relatives, BLA members, and neighbours gathered to bid her a tearful farewell. Sr Shanthi Priya, Assistant Superior General and Sr Sandhya, the General Councillor, Provincial Superior Sr Lilly Pereira and her team, Sisters from the Generalate, Bethany Mother House, Mangalore Province, and other Provinces were present for the funeral Mass. Following the Mass, her mortal remains were blessed by Rev Fr Joachim Dsouza, the Parish Priest and interred in the Church Cemetery, as she awaits the day of resurrection. May her soul find eternal peace in the divine embrace of our Lord.

My sincere thanks to Sr Rose Celine, our Superior General and her team, the Provincial Superiors and the sisters for their prayers and condolences at the demise of our dear Sr Edmund. My heartfelt thanks to Sr Premlatha the Superior, Dr Sr Jeevitha, Sr Renisha the Administrator, the Staff of Concetta Hospital, the sisters of the community, candidates, hostel Children, domestic staff for taking care of Sr Edmund with lot of love, care and concern.