Sr M Paschalia BS

                                     Sr M Paschalia BS of Blessed Sacrament

Born                                       : 10.08.1937

Entered Bethany                   : 08.12.1956

Temporary Profession          : 02.07.1959

Perpetual Profession            : 04.05.1965

Slept in the Lord                   : 25.09.2022

“I am the Resurrection and the Life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26).

Sr Paschalia who lived and believed in these words of Jesus, peacefully surrendered her life to her Creator on September 25, 2022 at 11.40am at Concetta Hospital, Kinnigoly. St Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians Ch 4:16 says, “Even though our outer nature is wasting away. our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” Yes, this was true in the life of our dear Sr Paschalia. Though physically she became weak day by day yet had a cheerful countenance and a beaming smile on her face.

Sr M Paschalia nee Celine Pinto was born on August 10th 1937. She hails from Our Lady of Remedies Church, Kirem, in the Diocese of Mangalore and was the fourth child of the late Lawrence Pinto and the late Joanna Pinto. She grew up in a God fearing family and had four brothers and one sister, among whom three brothers have already left for their eternal abode.

She had her early education at Pompei Hr Pry School at Kirem and continued her High School studiles at Little Flower Girls High School, Kinnigoly. She entered Bethany in 1956 and made her Temporary Profession in 1959. She offered herself totally to God in 1965 by her Perpetual Profession. She pursued her Teachers’ Training at Rosa Mystica TTI God blessed her with a long life of 86 years and 63 years of consecrated life. Sr Paschalia had great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Blessed Mother. She spent long hours before the Blessed Sacrament. She was prompt to rise early in the morning and spend the day in the presence of the Lord drawing Divine energy from Him. The celebration of the Eucharist was her breath. She was a person of prayer, simple by nature with cheerful countenance. She was neat and tidy. Orderliness and fidelity to the given responsibility was notable in her. She had great respect and regard to the authority and was willing and ready to take up any assignement that was entrusted to her.

As an efficient and loving teacher and Headmistress she rendered her services at Dornahalli, Sagar, Basrur, Nirkan, Neerude, Padukone and enlightened thousands of students through her example, compassion and commitment. She possessed the qualities of love for the poor, concern, sensitivity and generosity towards the sisters and others. She was committed and loyal to the Congregation. She was accurate in maintaining the accounts and records. After her retirement, she devoted herself totally to the pastoral work by visiting the sick in the families, comforting

and praying with them, teaching catechism, service in parish sacristy, decorating the altar, arrangement for liturgy, preparing the children for first communion and many other services to the people, especially to the poor. She said “Accomplishing the specified responsibility faithfully, accurately and without delay is my inborn nature. I may give up food, drink and sleep but not the responsibility that is given to me.”

Owing to her ill health she was transferred from St Antony’s Convent, Padukone to Rosa Mystica Convent, Kinnikambla in 2019. As an asthmatic patient she endured suffering patiently and gracefully. Two years ago she had a fall and had her hip bone fractured. She underwent a surgery at Fr Muller Hospital Kankanady and recovered. In the month of August 2022 she had a second fall and was admitted to the Hospital. After treatment she showed improvement and was brought back to the community. As her health deteriorated she was taken to Concetta Hospital, Kinnigoly on September 18th, 2022 for further medical care. She was hale and hearty till 24th. But to our surprise she breathed her last on September 25th 2022 at 11.40am due to cardiac arrest. At the time of her death Dr Sr Jeevitha, hospital Staff and the sisters of Maryvale Convent, Kinnigoly were present.

On hearing the news of her death, Sr Leera Maria, the Superior and sisters of Rosa Mystica community, and the Provincial councillors, her brother and family members rushed to the Hospital and offered prayers and surrendered her soul to the Lord.

On 26th September 2022 the sisters, tertians, novices and candidates offered continuous prayers for the soul of Sr Paschalia.