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A BLESSING FOR ELDERS
 ympha Sadan, is another answer to the need of the times. The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters (UFS) of Mangalore have brought to being a modern venture for the welfare of the aging. It is looked upon as a new apostolate and forerunner of other potential institutions being visualized for the future.
During 1880s, the disturbed ecclesiastical conditions and the unsettled state of the Mangalorean community after the captivity era of Tipu Sultan and the resultant disease, death, persecutions, defections and many a trial was giving way to new avenues. The first Jesuit parish priest of Rosario Cathedral, Fr Urban Stein sensed a real rot within the people, a hang-over of the long exile, similar to what existed in Italy earlier.
He introduced a form of the ‘Ursuline Family’ formulated by St Angela Merici, drawing from the young women of the catholic families of the surroundings who showed a socio-religious leaning, led by the dynamic Nympha Fernandez of Bolar.
Mother Nympha
  he original ‘Company of St Ursula’ derives its name from the early Martyr of the Church. The essence of the traditions were absorbed by the early leaders of the Ursulines in Mangalore. The first among them was a young lady named Pauline Nympha Fernandez, daughter of John Frances Fernandez and Anna Lobo who lived just near the Rosario Cathedral. Soon this young lady came to be called ‘Mother Nympha’ recognizing the zeal and dedication of her committed life and services to the needy around the town. Mother Nympha was the first mother who in her lifetime offered compassionate services and holistic support to those in need of love and care of the high order. To effectively forward her paramount aim namely the welfare of people at all levels around her, she took the courageous initiative to acquire and build a storied Ursuline centre just behind the cathedral in 1901. The building is still being carried forward by the torchbearers of the Ursulines for human welfare, till today! Mother Nympha sadly passed away quite young at 58, on February 24, 1909.
The Nympha Sadan
It is the latest blessing to descend on this hallowed spot in total harmony with the motto of the Ursuline sisters – ‘For the love of God’. This lovely home is compact aesthetic building that opened its doors on July 1. Apart from all normally needed modern facilities like chapel, reception, recreation hall, visiting parlour, kitchen, dining hall, office, laundry room, sisters’ quarters, caregivers’ accommodation, lifts, telephones, there are 20 single rooms and 4 double rooms to house the residents.
The rooms have attached baths, cupboard spaces, essential furnishings. Care has been the password in assuring the safety and comfort of the elderly in all matters. Specific regulations and general payment terms matching reasonable norms are in place.
Under the divine leadership of the Ursuline Superior General V Rev Sr Doreen D’Souza, many sisters have worked with dedication to shape this place into a true home. Presently, it is being cared for day to day, by the core team of Rev Sr Lenita (Administrator), Sr Lilia, Sr Florine, Sr Sophia and others ably guiding a host of caregivers keeping the occupants ever smiling. Their goal ‘to bring wholeness into the lives of the senior citizens to spend their retired life in peaceful and loving atmosphere’ is visibly seen to be fulfilled. Without doubt, the vision of the Ursulines for this Nympha Sadan – Fullness of life, will be a reality.
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