SR EMILDA CRASTA

We are justified by faith; therefore we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ – Rom: 5:1. Its true Sr Imelda lived her life in faith and love and thus offered herself to God trusting in his benevolence all through her life.

Sr Imelda responded the divine call, obtained grace which was viable to accept the challenges of life for the glory of God therefore today she has rewarded with the eternal life.

Sr Imelda was born on 10^th August 1935 at Neermarga to Mr Antony Crasta and Christine Pereira. She was christened as Assumpta Maria Crasta. She was the eldest daughter among seven siblings, grew up in a devout and God fearing family where the seed of vocation was sown and fostered by her parents, nurtured by consecrating her life as a young girl by giving concrete expression by joining the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation on 21st June 1956. On 6^th May 1959 she made her temporary profession and on 6^th May 1964 she made her perpetual profession and surrendered herself completely to the Lord.

She did her primary studies in Kulshekhar, PUC and B A in St Aloysius and B.Ed in St Ann’s in Mangalore and clinical health care in St John’s hospital, Bangalore. Thereafter to the best of her capacity served as a teacher in Thirthahalli, P.G Palayam, Hirebail, Bejai, Belthangady, Thottam, Kulur, Panir and was transferred to Somarpann in 2014. As a consecrated religious she was passionate towards pastoral apostolate specially  teaching catechism to the children. She attracted many youth towards God and some of them have become priests and religious. No families left without her visit and she knew every member of the families and built rapport even till her death. She was very much concerned towards the needy and supported them through her charitable deeds. She has helped many poor students to continue their education by supporting them financially.

She was good and faithful steward even after her retirement where the health ministry was carried on in taking care of the sisters when they were admitted in the hospital where her clinical health care studies were of use. She did it with much love and concern even now sisters remember her with much gratitude. Memory was her greatest gift which remained till the last. She had a talent to prepare delicious dishes and thus made the sisters happy by providing delicious food. She connected the world and informative through reading the news papers and periodicals. She was well disciplined, regular for   community and personal prayer, spent time before the Blessed Sacrament and had a great devotion to the Divine Mercy. The hallmark of her spirituality was to partake in the Eucharist daily which gave her courage and endurance in moments of her helplessness.

All those who came under the influence of Sr Imelda will never forget her smiling face, her simple ways, concern towards the families and her prayerful support. For the past 10 years she spent days in prayer ministry, extending her prayerful support particularly for the Congregation, families and praying for the whole world. God had blessed her with good health. From the past three months she was confined to bed and she had to depend on others for the needs. The Sisters of the community assisted in all her personal needs and accompanied her through their prayers at the bed side. Sisters, her family members and the students constantly visited and in turn received blessings from her.

On January 11^th, 2024 at 8.45 am, Sr Imelda’s beautiful soul flew to her creator in the presence of the community Sisters and the Novices. 

Her funeral took place on 12^th January 2024 at 3.00 p.m. at Somarpann Novitiate Chapel, Derlakatte. Rev. Fr Victor D’Mello the parish priest of Our Lady of Mercy, Panir  officiated at the Eucharist. Fr Vincent Sequeira her student preached the homily. Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore paid his last respect to her and prayed for the departed soul. Rev. Fr Victor D’Mello conducted the funeral rites. Rev. Fr Melwyn Pinto S.J, from Gonzanga Beeri, Rev. Fr Rocky D’Cunha OFM Cap the superior of Ann’s Friary, Fr John Vas from Homeopathic Medical College, Fr Vijay and Fr Naveen native of Panir and Fr Vinod Lobo OCD concelebrated the Mass. Rev. Sr Milly Fernandes Superior General and Councilors General, Sr Clara Menezes Provincial Superior and her Councilors, Delegate Superior Sr Jeraldine D’Souza and her councillors, Rev. Sr Leena Rodrigues the Regional Superior of Europe and her council Sr Celine Furtado, Sr Leena Mathias the Regional Councilor of African Region, representatives of all the Provinces, delegation, Regions and the Sisters of Mangalore Province, her family members, relatives and students were present in large number to pay their homage to Sr Imelda Crasta. She was laid to rest in the cemetery of Mangalore Province at Somarpann Novitiate, Deralakatte. 

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