Sr M Lioba BS

                                            Sr M Lioba BS of the Holy Family

Born                                       :  24.07.1935

Entered Bethany                   :  15.10.1955

Temporary Profession          :  08.05.1958

Perpetual Profession             :  04.05.1964

Slept in the Lord                   :  29.10.2024

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” Mt 25:13.

These words from the scripture came true in the life of Sr Lioba who flew away to her eternal abode on 29^th October 2024 at 10.45am in the presence of her Superior Sr Premlatha, Community Sisters and her relatives at the 90^th year of her life and 67^th year of her religious life.

Sr M Lioba BS, nee Christine DSouza was born to the Late Mr Dominic DSouza and the Late Mrs Mercine Dsouza of St Ignatius Loyola Church, Paladka in the Diocese of Mangalore. She is seventh in the family of eight siblings with four brothers and three sisters. Her sister Sr Consolata BS passed away in the year 2016. Sr Lioba’s education commenced at St Ignatius Higher Primary School, Paladka and her High School studies at Little Flower Girls’ High School, Kinnigoli. She joined Bethany Congregation on 15^th October 1955, made her Temporary Profession on 8^th May 1958 and Perpetual Profession on 5^th May 1964. Having completed her TCH at Rosa Mystica Teachers’ Training Institute, Kinnikambla, she rendered her commendable services as teacher, Headmistress, Hostel warden and as Superior at many places like Nirkan, Puttur, Badyar, Bajpe, Kulshekar, Kirem, Neerude and Kinnigoli and has won the hearts of little ones by drawing many to religious and priestly life. Sr Lioba was a woman of deep faith, prayer and discipline. She was known for her dedication to her students and her unwavering commitment in providing them with a quality education. Her tireless efforts to spread love, compassion and hope have left an indelible mark on the lives of all who knew her. Her unwavering passion for the vocations inspired many girls to dedicate their lives to the service of God.

The spirituality of Sr Lioba was characterized by her punctuality to community exercises, meticulously following the time table from morning till night and all the traditions of the Congregation. She lived an exemplary life that inspired both the young and old in the community. Her deep respect for authority was widely appreciated and admired. She practiced the vow of poverty wholeheartedly, emulating Jesus who was simple and chaste.

After the retirement, Sr Lioba was the Hostel warden for 12 years at Maryvale Hostel Kinnigoli till 2012. Thereafter she resided at Maryvale Convent, Kinnigoli where she would spend long hours before the Blessed Sacrament. She found joy in gazing at the Lord in the Tabernacle with profound love and gratitude. Her care for the sick and the elderly was remarkable. She would visit the sisters and patients in Concetta Hospital and pray for them. She would accompany elderly sisters confined to their rooms in prayer and look after their needs.

On October 06, 2024 after the night prayer she had an unexpected fall which resulted in severe brain hemorrhage, she went into coma and never opened her eyes again in spite of all the medications. She was anointed by Rev Fr Alwyn Pinto SVD. Sr Lilly Pereira the Provincial Superior and her Councillors visited her and prayed over her. Then onwards sisters kept watch over her closely and monitored her health condition.

For 24 days, Sr Lioba was in Concetta Hospital, Kinnigoli under medical treatment.  Having accomplished her mission on earth, she peacefully flew away to meet her eternal bridegroom on 29^th October 2024 at 10.45am in the presence of Sr Premlatha, the superior of the community, Dr Sr Jeevitha, the community sisters and relatives at her bed side.

The message was given to Sr Lilly Pereira the Provincial Superior and Sr Rose Celine the Superior General. Sr Lilly Pereira along with Sr Shalet the Councillor visited the hospital and offered prayers for the departed soul of Sr Lioba. The mortal remains were laid in the community Chapel where community sisters, her relatives and the candidates prayed for her. Sr Sandhya, the General Councillor and Sisters from neighbouring communities and Central Delegation paid homage and prayed for her. Fr Steven Coutinho the Assistant Parish Priest, Fr Lancy J Saldanha the Principal of the Parish School visited and prayed for her. The Community Sisters kept praying whole night. Sr Shanthi Priya, the Assistant Superior General offered prayers for her in the morning. Her Funeral rites took place on 30^th October at 10.30 am at Immaculate Conception Church, Kinnigoli. 

Msgr Maxim Noronha, the Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese officiated the Eucharistic celebration together with 8 other priests. Fr Faustine Lukas Lobo, the former Parish Priest preached a meaningful homily. A good number of Sisters from various communities, Novices, Sr Mariebelle BS her Niece, other nieces, nephews and relatives, BLA members and neighbours were present to bid her a tearful goodbye.