Sr M Joanina BS

                                     Sr M Joanina BS of the Holy Family

Born                                       : 06.09.1931

Entered Bethany                   : 05.06.1949

Temporary Profession          : 05.05.1951

Perpetual Profession            : 07.05.1957

Slept in the Lord                   : 25.02.2023

The Veteran Bethany Sr M Joanina BS nee Montina Maria Pinto (92) of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore, passed away on February 25, 2023, at 9.45 PM at Santa Cruz Convent, Kulshekar after a prolonged age-related illness. Of the three brothers and three sisters, she was the last surviving sibling of the Late Rosario Pinto and the Late Mercine Fernandes belonging to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Shirtady of Mangalore Diocese. Growing up in a farm, life was simple and enjoyable for Montina.

Sr Joanina was an efficient teacher and a congenial religious, whose indefatigable efforts will be long remembered. She received her Primary education at Shirthady from the parochial school. Recognizing her early desire to devote her life to religious life, the Late Maid of Bethany, Magdalene Pinto her older sister, presented her to Fr Founder who encouraged her to join Bethany. She continued her education at Sacred Heart School, Kulshekar, and received postulancy while doing her Third Form. Inspired by the Bethany Sisters and their service to the poorest of the poor she dedicated herself to God through her Temporal Profession after which she continued her Fourth to Sixth Form at Little Flower High School, Kinnigoli. Entering Rosa Mystica Basic Teacher Training School she had a brilliant teacher training course. She took her Perpetual Vows in 1957. Forever after, she has been known as Sr M Joanina of the Holy Family. For the majority of her life, she chose to serve the poor who were nearest to her, doing so quietly, making no noise, and attracting no attention to herself. She associated with little children in the schools at Kulshekar, Rosa Mystica, Bethany Mother House, Balkunje, Bajpe, Kinnigoli, Puttur, Sampaje, Badyar and Kadaba as a teacher, Headmistress or Superior. Steeped in her love for God she volunteered to be the warden of Infant Mary Hostel, Kulshekar as a second career and loved the poor children. She would win them over with her human warmth. From early dawn, she was a tireless advocate for the children in the hostel who were unable to realize their potential. Her energy and life-long dedication to improving the lives of the hostel girls will continue to inspire generations of young Sisters of Bethany. Even at her ripe age, she worked tirelessly as the procurator of the Santa Cruz Community for many terms. 

Pope Francis advised religious ‘to stay close to the marginalized and to be shepherds living with the smell of the sheep’ – Sr Joanina practiced this for 72 years of religious life and charmed her Sisters to the end. Her practicality, initiative, determination, courage, knowledge of the world affairs by reading the Dailies, deep faith, and instant connection with people, topped by a brilliant Konkany wit, kept her grounded and able to respond to any situation with such positive results. She has enlightened thousands of students through her life example, compassion, and commitment. She possessed the qualities of love, cheerfulness, concern, sensitivity, and generosity toward the Sisters, the poor, and the needy. She has won the hearts of many children and people through her affectionate nature. She was committed and loyal to the Congregation and had great respect for the authority and priests.

Sr Joanina had great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Blessed Mother. She loved to spend time with the Master, immersing herself in prayer. Her posture and demeanor in the chapel witnessed her reverence. She was prompt to rise early and spend the day in the presence of the Lord drawing divine energy from God. The celebration of the Eucharist was her breath. She would intercede for the needs of the world and the suffering humanity, Community, Congregation, and people who requested her prayers. She had special love towards all those who came in touch with her and she expressed her love by writing letters, especially on their birthdays. She was always in the background, providing prayer support and doing simple tasks to serve the community and the Lord. She was generous, whose simple love for the Lord was contagious. The Sisters truly loved her. When they were sharing memories about her, one of the few remaining Veteran Sisters said, “What can be said about Sr Joanina? So many things; a book, full of memories. But I can say that she never wasted single minute. Imagine that! She never wasted one minute of her life. If she was tired of reading she would write. Write letters.” One of her colleagues after the funeral said, “Her leadership, mentorship, and guidance made me a better person. She appointed me in the school, she taught me the work and she empowered me. I am going to reminisce about this forever.”

As she aged, Sr Joanina opened herself more and more to God and His will for her, to her human frailty and limitations, and to her Sisters whom she loved dearly. In this manner, in her daily unfolding, she revealed the extraordinary beauty of her life as God’s daughter and spouse. She had been ailing with a mild paralytic stroke for about three months and her end was not unexpected. She was hospitalized on 24^th November 2022 and after few days, she expressed her desire to come back to the community, after which she was confined to her bed. Great care was taken by the Sisters of the community especially by