Sr Mabel

                                  Sr M Mabel BS of the Blessed Sacrament

Born                                       : 16.03.1935

Entered Bethany                   : 22.08.1959

Temporary Profession          : 05.05.1961

Perpetual Profession             : 05.05.1967

Slept in the Lord                   : 21.02.2026

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

These words of St Paul came alive in a special way in the life and mission of Sr M Mabel BS on 21^st February 2026 as she heard the gentle call of her Beloved Lord and peacefully completed her earthly journey, soaring into the eternal embrace of God. With steadfast faith and quiet surrender, she lived her consecrated life as a beautiful offering of love, service, and belonging within the cherished Bethany family. Ever dedicated and surrendered, she belonged wholly to the Lord.

Sr Mabel (née Anna Christine Mascarenhas), was born to the late Mr Rosario Mascarenhas and the late Mrs Regina Nazareth of Salmar, Karkal, in the Diocese of Udupi. She was the fourth of seven children—four brothers and two sisters. Among them was her late brother, Fr William Mascarenhas of the Amravati Diocese.

She received her early education at Kabettu Higher Primary School, Karkal. She completed her TTC at St Ann’s Training School, Mangalore, earned her BA from Mysore University, and later completed her BEd at St Ann’s BEd College, Mangalore. Responding generously to God’s call, she joined the Bethany Congregation on 22^nd August 1959. She made her Temporary Profession on 5 May 1961 and her Perpetual Profession on 5^th May 1967.

Sr Mabel rendered commendable service as a dedicated Teacher, Headmistress, Superior, and a compassionate pastoral caregiver in the parishes wherever she was sent. She served in Rosa Mystica Convent, Kinnikambla; Loyola Convent, Gadag; St Michael’s Convent, Dandeli; Maryvale Convent, Kinnigoli; St Xavier Convent, Ajekar; Bethany Convent, Bangalore; Nazareth Convent, Bajpe; Santa Cruz Convent, Kulshekar; Madeline Convent, Mulki; Providence Convent, Balkunje; Seva Ashram, Jalasangi; Bethany Convent, Badyar; St Joseph’s Convent, Suralpady; Bethany Convent, Kollangana; Queen of the Missions Convent, Sampaje; Mother of Mercy Convent, Kirem; Mary Queen Convent, Karkal and in her final years at St Raymond Convent, Vamanjoor.

A woman of deep prayer, Sr Mabel spent long hours before the Blessed Sacrament, contemplating the God of compassion. She was gentle and kind in her approach, and simplicity was the hallmark of her life. She had a deep concern for the poor and the downtrodden, helping them according to her capacity. Her compassionate heart reached out especially to the weak and slow learners. She cherished a deep love for our Founder, the Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas. Rooted in community life, she was cheerful, attentive, faithful, and punctual in all spiritual exercises. A voracious reader, she also contributed articles in Kannada.

About ten years ago, Sr Mabel experienced a heart problem, and a stent was placed. Thereafter, God blessed her with relatively good health. On 15^th October 2025, she had a fall and underwent hip surgery at Fr Muller Hospital, Kankanady, after which she was confined to bed. During this period, she found it difficult to express herself. She was lovingly cared for by the Superior and sisters of the community, under the guidance of the Provincial Superior and her team.

As her health gradually deteriorated, she continued to remain serene and spiritually prepared to meet her Lord, even amid acute pain her words were “Lord please take me to your abode”. On 17^th January 2026, she was admitted once again to Fr Muller Hospital, and on 18^th February 2026, she was shifted to Concetta Hospital, Kinnigoli, for further care. On 21^st February 2026 at 6.40 am due to cardiac arrest, she breathed her last.  

Her mortal remains were kept at St Raymond Convent, Vamanjoor, for the sisters, relatives, and faithful to pay their last respects. A meaningful Prayer Service was conducted in the Convent Chapel. The Eucharist was officiated by Rev Fr Daniel Veigas, Episcopal Vicar for Religious and concelebrated by Fr James D’Souza, Parish Priest of St Joseph the Worker Church, Vamanjoor, Fr Kenneth, Asst Director of St Joseph’s Engineering College, Fr Clement Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Karkal and Fr Anil OCD, student of Sr Mabel. Her mortal remains were laid to rest in the Convent Cemetery. A large number of sisters, parishioners from the places she served, her nieces from Bangalore, relatives, and well-wishers participated in her final journey.