SR IRENE VAS

So was the life of Sr Irene Vas pure and faithful who bid Adieu to this earthly journey to be with the Lord in the heavenly abode on Thursday 25^th August 2023 at 1.45am.

Sr Irene Vas was born on 27^th June 1945 to Mr John Peter Vas and Mrs Lucy Vas of St. Francis Xavier Church, Bejai. After completing her higher secondary studies, she joined the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation on 1^st June 1972. She made her first profession on 5^th May, 1975 and the perpetual profession on 26^th December, 1980. The first ‘Yes’ Which she said was renewed and lived relentlessly for 48 years in the service of the Lord. She was a teacher of needle work and embroidery and she served at Jeppu, Gundlupet, H D Kote, Siddakatte, Jogfalls, Jompanahalli, Suntikoppa and Bogadi.

Having developed virtues like simplicity of life, kindness, patience, faithfulness and prayerfulness she grew in deep love for the Congregation. Prayer was her strongest weapon with which she fought against every trial and difficult situation in her religious life. Her exemplary life was one of inspiration to many Sisters to rely always on God’s providential care. Her loving compassionate nature and cheerful countenance are the rare pearls of that crown of righteousness she would wear in heavenly abode.

She had a good hand for crafts and fine arts. She made the best use of time in stitching altar linen, habits of the sisters and wreathes for the first communicants. She taught this skill to many others who came in contact with her. Her good habit of reading kept her busy reading spiritual books, daily news paper and other journals. Her undaunted faith is praiseworthy because of her zeal and enthusiasm in attending daily Eucharist and community prayers.

Except for the common ailment like diabetics and high blood pressure she was healthy enough until the age of 76. In the year 2020, she developed gangrene in her left leg for which she was treated for months together and when it was no longer healed, as per the advice of the doctors and with her consent the left leg was amputated. Initially, though she found it difficult to get adjusted to the normal life later on she accepted the will of God cheerfully and constructively, so much so she managed to do all her personal work with an artificial limb without depending on others. She would contemplate the passion and death of Jesus through the devotion of the Stations of the cross in her room during her free time. 

She was very much cared by the sisters of her community and her every need was fulfilled. She appeared happier and joyful in Maria Niketan especially with the company of both young and old. 

On 18^thof July 2023, she complained about breathlessness and chest pain. She was admitted to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Mysore where she was diagnosed for high BP and a small clot in the brain. Having regained her health she returned to her community but was shifted on the same day to the hospital as she had similar complaints. The doctors at St Joseph’s referred her to JSS hospital as she had multiple problems including lungs and kidney infection. She was treated at JSS for ten days but the doctors found no improvement in her health in spite of the best medication offered and asked to discharge and give her palliative care. Therefore she was shifted to St Mary’s Community Health Centre, H D Kote where the hospital staff and the community Sisters of Sanjeevini gave the maximum care for three weeks.  Sisters of Maria Niketan community accompanied her on weekends. Her last few days that were spent in agony were united with the beloved Lord whom she desired and this was very much visible in her intense moment of pain as she was constantly uttering the words “Jesus have Mercy on me”. She was administered the sacrament of the anointing of the sick by Rev Fr. Edward, the parish priest of St. Mary’s Parish H D Kote. Knowing her end is near, Sr Roopa the Superior of Maria Niketan Community was at her bedside for the last few days which brought much comfort and solace to her.

As the Lord was constantly calling her to be with Him, at 1.45 am on 25^th August, 2023 surrounded by Sr Roopa, the Superior of Maria Niketan and the sisters of Sanjivini, our beloved Sr Irene Vas breathed her last very peacefully and left us all to live with her Lord eternally and blissfully. As we miss her presence we thank her for all the good and sweet memories that she has left behind.