SR LETITIA FERNANDES

‘The Lord is my refuge and my fortress; My God in whom I trust’, Ps 91:2. The words of the psalmist were true and comforting to Sr Letitia during her life time. She was alert and ready for the final call from the Lord who was her refuge and fortress. On February 6, 2024 the Lord whom she loved and trusted accompanied to bear her pain led her into the land of the living where there is no more sufferings.

Sr Letitia Fernandes was born on 8^th July 1941 to Mr John Fernandes and Mary Fernandes at Angelore. She was the fourth child among the eleven children and in baptism christened as Prescilla Mildred. Sr Letitia did her primary and secondary schooling in Capitanio, Mangalore,graduation in St Agnes College and B.Ed in St Ann College, Mangalore. She joined the Ursulines in 1963 and in 1965 she made her Temporary profession. She offered completely to the service of the Lord through her perpetual profession on 8^th May 1970.

Sr Letitia was a good administrator, intelligent,efficient teacher, able leader therefore she was appointed as theanimator to the communities of Keshwapur Hubli, Bhatkal and Sirsi. With her administrative skills and dynamic personality she endeared herself asHeadmistress in various schoolssuch as Kelarai, Keshwapur, Bejai and Koppa and as member at Belthangady, Bolar and after retirement atBhatkal she continued her service as Superior and Headmistress for 8 years, then moved to Sirsi,Kallianpur, Bejai and Somarpann Novitiate. She fulfilled the task entrusted to her with a sense of responsibility and spirit of dedication. Being Headmistress she touched the lives of many students specially paying much attention to the slow learners, helping the poor students and motivating the young folk for a better future. Many students were inspired by her life to join priestly and religious life.

Sr Letitia had a stern appearance, but also had wit and humour in her, that partly neutralized the effect of her strict dealings. Discipline, neatness, leadership, determination, a spirit of prayer and a sense of responsibility weresome of the striking qualities. Less talk more work was her lifestyle. She was a systematic person with the hard working spirit and contended in life. She was pastorally very active.Catechizing children, adults andpreparation for the sacraments for the young brides and convertswere her preferred apostolate.

Till last June 2023 she did her daily task cheerfully and with single mindedness. As she began to feel weak and was loosing balance while moving aroundwas taken to Fr Mullerfor the sake of health care. As she was unable to move around and to make accessible the spiritual benefits she was taken to Somarpann Novitiate community. The end came to her very quietly. In the morning on February 6^th, 2024 she was gasping for breath and sisters attended to her needs. The sacrament of the sick was administered to her by Fr Melwyn Pinto S.J from Gonzaga community Beeri. She responded to every prayer very consciously. In the quiet and prayerful environment around her by the sisters of the community, Councilors General and Generalate community, Provincial Superior and Councilors, Sisters of Shalom community and novices she breathed her last at 9.15 am.

Sr Letitia joyfully surrendered to the Lord her life of 83 years filled with deep faith and hope. Her funeral took place on 7^th February 2024 at 3.30 p.m. at Somarpann Novitiate Chapel, Derlakatte. Rev. Fr John Vas, Fr Muller Homeopathic Hospital officiated at the Eucharist and preached the homily. Rev. Fr Felix Monteiro the parish priest of St Paul Church, Hubli conducted the funeral rites. Assistant General Rev. Sr Rita Vas, Councilors General, Sr Clara Menezes Provincial Superior and her Councilors, Provincial Superior Rev. Sr Lilly Fernandes and Sr Sandra the Councilor of Mysore, Sr Severine Veigas the Provincial Councilor of Hubli, Sr Aurea D’Souza the delegate Councilor of Central delegation and the representatives of all the Provinces and Central delegation, UFLA members of Bejai, Bolar and her former staff and students of various places were present. She was laid to rest in the cemetery of Mangalore Province at Somarpann Novitiate, Derlakatte. 

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