Sr Rose Marie

Sr Rose Marie D’Souza, like the women, on Easter dawn went to meet the Risen Lord, at 6.30 am on 11^th March 2023. Having lived her 87 years of life faithfully and fruitfully, she bid farewell to all on Saturday, a day dedicated to Mother Mary, and entered eternal life.

 

Sr Rose Marie D’Souza was born on 15^th August 1935 to late John B. D’Souza and late Pietas Saldanha of St Ann’s Parish, Kelarai, Mangalore. Among the twelve children she was the sixth one. She grew up in a devout and God fearing family.   Her eldest sister Sr Vincentino joined Apostolic Carmel, her other two sisters namely Sr Neera D’Souza and Sr Shalini D’Souza are rendering their service in St Charles Borromeo Congregation.

 

Sr Rose Marie D’Souza had her Primary and High school education at Kundapur and Lady Hill, Urva. In the year 1971 she joined the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation. After the novitiate formation, on May 25, 1974 she pronounced her First vows and on  May 10, 1982 offered herself completely to the Lord, through her Perpetual Profession. She was a teacher by profession and rendered her service of 22 years in St Francis Xavier Hr. Pry. School, Bejai, Church Hr. Pry. School, Belthangady, Church Hr. Pry. School, Kulur, St Lawrence Hr. Pry. School, Karopady, St Philomena Hr. Pry. School, Uppinangady, St Jude Hr. Pry. School, Venur and St. Joseph Hr. Pry. School, Fajir. After the retirement she spent her days in prayer apostolate at Thottam, Venur, Kulur, Somarpann Novitiate and Shanthi Dham, Derlakatte.

In the year 2011 she was brought to Shanthi Dham Community. Here she continued her praying apostolate. She offered prayers for the various needs of the Congregation and the Church at large. She was suffering from Cellulites and Colitis of the intestine and bore it silently. She was wise, knowledgeable and full of humor. She was clean and tidy. Sisters of the community loved her and assisted her lovingly.  She developed good family bond through phone calls, they in turn visited her often. Their love and concern gave her satisfaction, happiness and contentment.

On December 21, 2022 she became unconscious and was taken for treatment to K.S. Hegde Hospital, Derlakatte. From then on her health started deteriorating and she was confined to the bed.  Community Sisters at the bed side gave her physical, spiritual and moral support.

The Sister Nurses of Shanthi Dham Community, Superiors and the Sisters of Shanthi Dham Convent rendered their care and service to her. Superior General Rev. Sr. Doreen D’Souza, Rev. Sr. Susheela Sequeira and at present Rev. Sr Milly Fernandes and their Councillors visited her often, prayed with her and consoled her.  Provincial Superiors Rev. Sr Lenita D’Souza, Rev. Sr Rita Vas and Rev. Sr Clara Menezes and their Councilors took great care of her. The Doctors and the staff of Fr Mullers and K.S Hegde Hospital very especially Dr Lancy Lobo treated her with love and compassion.

As the Community Sisters were around her, Sr. Rose Marie D’Souza breathed her last very peacefully on March 11, 2023 at 6.30 a.m. Her Mortal remains were kept for viewing at Shanthi Dham Chapel, Derlakatte till 1.00 p.m. Then she was taken to Somarpan Novitiate for the final adieu. Her funeral rites took place on the same day at 4.00 p.m. Her brothers and sisters along with the relatives were present for the same.

Rev. Fr Victor D’Mello, the parish priest of Panir parish officiated the Eucharist and conducted the funeral rites. Fr James D Souza Parish priest of St Joseph the worker Church Vamanjoor, Fr Lancy Mendonca OCD and Fr Jaison SJ concelebrated the mass.  Rev. Sr Rita Vas, the assistant Superior General, Srs Juliana Pinto and Lydia Serrao, Councilors General, Rev. Sr Clara Menezes, Provincial Superior of Mangalore Province and her Councilors were present for the same. Sisters from the Province, other Provinces and Central Delegation, UFLA Members and teachers from various schools had come to pay their respect in large numbers. The mortal remains of Sr Rose Marie D’Souza were laid to rest in the cemetery of Mangalore Province at Somarpann Novitiate, Derlakatte. We will not see Sr Rose Marie D’Souza physically, yet her memory will be with us forever.

Eternal Rest Grant unto her, O Lord, and Perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace. Amen.