Sr Dominica BS

                                   Sr M Dominica of Holy Family

Born                                       : 07.07.1931

Entered Bethany                   : 26.04.1950

Temporary Profession          : 08.05.1952

Perpetual Profession            : 07.05.1958

Slept in the Lord                   : 14.12.2025

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith… Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness” (2 Tim 4:7–8). These words of St Paul find luminous fulfillment in the long and grace-filled life of Sr M. Dominica BS, who completed her earthly journey at the age of ninety-four. She lived her years to the very end in simplicity, serenity, and quiet fidelity. Having courageously borne her cross with patience and trust, she has now been crowned with glory and welcomed into eternal joy. At the solemn rite of thanksgiving, the Sisters of Santa Cruz Convent, Kulshekar, together with the gathered congregation, lovingly bid her farewell, commending her soul entirely into the merciful hands of God.

Sr Dominica of the Holy Family was born on 7 July 1931 to devout and faith-filled parents, Nicolas and Carmine Correa, and was christened Gemma Correa. Rooted in deep Christian values, her parents entrusted her education to the renowned Capitanio High School, Mangalore, after which she pursued Teacher Training at Rosa Mystica, becoming fondly known as a “Gemma teacher.” Yet, God was gently drawing her toward a deeper horizon. In 1950, she entered Bethany and received the name Dominica – a name that beautifully expressed the core of her life’s meaning: “I belong to the Lord.” Indeed, she belonged wholly to the Lord – in her consecrated religious life, in her devoted service as an educator, in her social outreach, in her rural apostolate at Bidar, and finally, in her hidden life of prayer. In every phase of her journey, she bore eloquent witness to her total belonging to God.

Her family background was steeped in missionary zeal. Inspired by the visionary commitment of the late Fr LM Pinto, parish priest of St Raphael Church, Badyar, and his brother Dr PP Pinto, who pioneered a healing mission for the marginalized, Sr Dominica’s parents actively collaborated in this work of compassion. Moved by this spirit of service, they offered their eldest daughter, Sr Refuge BS, to the Bethany Congregation. Following her sister’s footsteps, Sr Dominica too responded generously to God’s call. She was steadfastly supported by her brother, Mr Edmund Correa, while the companionship and inspiring example of her sisters, Bernadette and Juliet Correa, sustained and encouraged her along the path of consecrated life.

As a dedicated educator, Sr Dominica served in Bendur, Puttur, Moodubelle, Takkode, Neerude, Kadaba, Kinnigoli, and Kulshekar, dedicating nearly thirty-seven years to shaping young minds and guiding children toward noble aspirations. Her mission, however, extended far beyond the classroom. She nurtured vocations to religious and priestly life and was led by God into diverse ministries, including social service and prison ministry.

When entrusted with leadership as Superior, she became a quiet yet compelling model of commitment and responsibility. She rendered generous service in the Bidar Mission of the Mangalore Province and at Ozanam Home, Kallianpur. For the past twenty-six years at Kulshekar, her outreach was especially directed toward the poor, the needy, and the inmates of the District Prison, who found comfort, dignity, and hope in her compassionate presence. Teaching Catechism to neophytes was truly her “call within the call.” On the day of her funeral, many beneficiaries gathered to express heartfelt gratitude for her selfless service. Through her ability to build relationships across all walks of life, she counselled families in distress, accompanied the suffering, fostered Christian values, and worked tirelessly to heal broken relationships – an enduring testimony to the richness and depth of her mission.

Having lived alongside our Founder, the Servant of God Monsignor Raymond Mascarenhas, Sr Dominica imbibed his spirit and values deeply into her own life. From her earliest years, she was passionately committed to living entirely for Christ. Anchored in the Eucharist, she continually sought the grace of Jesus for herself and for others. Even in her advanced years, she remained rooted in prayer, spending long hours in the chapel and bearing silent witness to her total surrender to God.

With gentle humour and openness to the times, she also became fondly known as “Digital Dominica.” Embracing modern technology, she used her mobile phone as a simple yet effective means of evangelization, sharing brief reflections, prayers, and Gospel messages that touched many hearts and drew them closer to God.

In Sr Dominica, we encountered gentleness and experienced love; in her, we discovered a treasury of compassion. She maintained warm, respectful, and harmonious relationships with her sisters, collaborators, and all entrusted to her care. Communion – with her community, her congregation, and her family – was the golden thread that ran through her life.

From August 2025, increasing frailty and discomfort necessitated hospitalization. After treatment, she returned to the convent with renewed calm – back to the chapel, back to her routine, and back to her quiet inner strength.