Sr M Josephine BS

                                    Sr M  Josephine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Born                                       : 17.08.1933

Entered Bethany                   : 07.10.1953

Temporary Profession          : 13.05.1956

Perpetual Profession            : 04.05.1962

Slept in the Lord                   : 13.03.2021

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp- stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Mt: 5:15-16

Sr M Josephine was a light that drew and empowered students, parents, women and colleagues. She had a generosity of heart that embraced challenges as opportunities, welcomed success and dealt with failure. In every situation she was gracious and had a delightful sense of humour. We have loved her as a Sister, admired her as a Physical Education Director and honoured her as a Social Worker.

We would dare to say that anyone who ever met and engaged with Sr M Josephine never forgot her. The first words that come to us at the mention of Sister’s name are feisty, spirited, determined, courageous, as well as persistent, in love with her vocation and the Congregation and ever grateful. She was an untiring social worker covering miles and miles on foot. There were years where she practically lived at Jeevandhara, busying her collaborators back and forth to their social work fields, motivating women for self-help projects and conducting courses for young ladies aiming at self-employment.

As an educationist for 34 years she taught High school students inspiring them to achieve their highest ambitions. She served at Maryvale Kinnigoli, Sacred Hearts Kulshekar, Holy Family Bajpe, Rosa Mystica Kinnikambla, Madeleine Mulki and Jyoti High School Ajekar. When she was retired in 1992 Sr Jyoti, the General Coordinator for Social Work assigned her to be the social worker at Jeevandhara. Sr Josephine’s immediate response was, “Sister, I don’t even know what that means.” To which Sr Jyoti replied, “You have been doing it all your life.” And so she embarked on her second career and did it well. In later years she said social work at Jeevandhara was her most satisfying ministry because she was there from the beginning and involved in its growth and expansion. Through tireless efforts she put all resources to work to make Fr Founder known and loved by living the Charism of reaching out to the least in the society. At the age 88, Sr Josephine was still being remembered by her staff of Jeevandhara for her outstanding contributions. She wrote a reflection on sharing the gift of art with her Jeevandhara women. “I have found the art classroom a very special field where the seeds of beauty can be sown and nurtured in the hearts and souls of women,” she said.

Sr Josephine had a great love for the Congregation. Even in the last days, when because of her illness, she would be periodically hospitalized she would still realize more often than not that she was away from the community. When Sisters visited her, she made an effort to keep informed of all that was happening, to “stay connected.” She would ask things like, “How many students are admitted in the school now?” When she would be told she would say, “I wish everyone could come to our school…” The question she asked most was, “where are the Sisters gone?’ She would also ask about the Staff and how they were doing. She would not go to rest in the afternoon until she saw the High school staff came for lunch and enquired after their well-being.

She loved her vocation as a Bethany Sister and wanted to share it with as many young girls as possible. She never lost an opportunity to invite a young girl to come and see what our life was like and to consider the possibility of giving her life to Christ. It’s amazing how many Sisters have acknowledged that Sr Josephine played an important part in their vocation, either because she extended the initial invitation to consider the religious life or because she displayed such joy in her own religious vocation. Even in these last years when she was confined to the infirmary. sisters learned that a good way to obtain her cooperation was to persuade and remind her of her connections with Fr Founder who nurtured her vocation and after she joined in 1953 how he had encouraged her to go to Madras to pursue her studies as physical education director in 1955. With a just pride she would narrate to us how our Founder gave her special attention by giving her opportunities to come to Mangalore from Madras whenever she would feel home-sick.

Sr Josephine was a woman of prayer. She loved to spend time with the Master, immersing herself in prayer. Her posture and demeanor in chapel witnessed her reverence. So she looked forward to see Jesus several times a day; she knew He was waiting for her. In her illness when a Rosary was offered to her she would tenderly kiss. She would do this often. At one point, after she had cried out, “When am I going Home?” she gazed longingly at the crucifix and said, “All for Him. He suffered so much more than I am. All for Him.” She had a childlike love for the Blessed Mother and a real trust in her powerful intercession.

Sr Josephine was close to her family and rejoiced every time she was permitted to go home. She treasured the gift of family and desired that she made the most of her time joyful with them. Her paternal and maternal roots were from Udupi Diocese. Born to Mr Lawrence and Mrs Juvan DSouza on 17 August, 1933 she was named Juliana DSouza. She loved her birthplace, Kolalgiri, and never tired of recounting stories of starting her schooling years at St Phiomena’s Kemman and High school at St Cecily’s Udupi. She is survived by her sister Philomena and her nephews and nieces. Being part of a loving family was integral to Sr Josephine’s life. All of them, nieces and nephews and their families filled her with love. Sr Josephine went peacefully to God, at Santa Cruz Convent, Kulshekar, Mangalore, on 13 March, 2021 at 11.55 pm in the presence of the community Sisters who had cared for her lovingly. The funeral mass was celebrated at Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar by Rev. Fr Victor Machado the Parish priest on 14 March at 3.00 pm. We are grateful for the spiritual assistance accorded by Sr Rose Celine, the Superior General and her team, Sr Cicilia Mendonca the Provincial Superior of Mangalore Province and her team, Sr Wilberta and Sr Jyoti.