Diocese: Mangalore
Pioneers: Sisters Leonora Menezes, Suchita Sequeira and Milly D’Souza
Vijaya Jesu Raj Convent at Kayyar is yet another instance of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters’ preferential option for the poor. Even after 37 years of their existence at Kayyar, the Sisters still see the region underdeveloped in several areas. Kayyar is situated 42 kilometres away from Mangalore on the highway to Kasargod and further nine kilometres east of Bandyodu. At the invitation of Fr Lawrence Rodrigues in 1975 and the members of Christ the King parish, the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters arrived at Kayyar on June 1, 1976. The objective of their presence was to attend to the spiritual and other needs of people who have been neglected in the remote regions of Kayyar parish. At their arrival, as they had no house of their own, they resided for a month in the parochial house after which they shifted to the local Teachers’ Quarters where they lived for four years.
For their residence, Mr Marcel D’Souza, a parishioner, gifted them 23 cents of land. Later, they bought two plots of land measuring 76 cents and 175 cents, with the amount contributed by Deacon Sylvester D’Souza, brother of Sr Jyothsna D’Souza UFS. People assisted them in all possible ways, which served them as a motivating force to continue to serve there in spite of all odds. On October 4, 1978 the foundation stone of the Convent was laid. However, the construction was complete only after two years with the assistance of Bishop Basil S D’Souza who procured funds from Propaganda Fide. Fr Edwin Pinto, Director of Caritas India helped the Sisters a great deal. The history of the Convent records that Sr Ernestine, Superior General, (1968 - 1980) had been a pillar of strength to the Sisters. In spite of her ill-health, for example, she visited and encouraged them constantly. She even starved for lack of money while she supplied material for the construction of the Convent.
The Sisters brought about the needed transformation at Kayyar within a short period of time; they used educational, pastoral and social apostolate as means to this end. They took up teaching at Don Bosco AUP School, started in 1935 by Fr Louis Furtado, the parish priest. Sr Constance took up charge of the School from 1984 to 1996 as head teacher; the School was administered by a lay person until then. Her work brought a tremendous change in the School as well as in the locality. She encouraged poor students to attend school; she took keen interest in their well-being especially by claiming their benefits from the government. Sr Mabel D’Souza (1996-2004) having succeeded her, introduced Scouts and Guides in the School. During her tenure section for English Medium was introduced from the year 2004- 2005. Sr Leena Fernandes (2004- 2007) introduced computer education in the School.
A new school building was constructed in 1994 by Fr Elias D’Souza. In 2003, it was upgraded with two stories by Fr John Walter Mendonca. The Sisters were instrumental in collecting a large sum of money for the building. At its inauguration, Bishop Aloysius appreciated the service of the Sisters in the School. At the occasion of the plantinum jubilee of the School in 2010, the Sisters were honoured for their selfless service at the School.
Pastoral apostolate at Christ the King parish is an integral part of their life at Kayyar. The parish had come into being in 1934 when Fr Faustin Aranha, parish priest at Bela, purchased a 2.13 acre land and put up a chapel in it. Currently, the parish has 235 Catholic families with 1280 Catholics; which is divided into ten wards. The Sisters are involved actively in catechizing, preparing children for reception of sacraments, distributing Communion, cleanliness of the House of God, animating Altar Servers, YCS, Marian Sodality, Women’s Sodality, SVP and Catholic Sabha and ICYM both in the parish and in Kasargod Varado. They attend SCC prayer meetings in all ten wards, pray Rosary in families during the month of October and guide the parishioners in preparing meaningful Sunday liturgy. They also render service in St Lawrence substation at Permude. One of the Sisters on regular basis helps in liturgical and other activities of the church. Selfless service of the Sisters in the parish activities has been acknowledged and appreciated by Bishop Aloysius at the occasion of First Communion in 2008.
The socio-economic development of people has been also a concern of the Sisters at Kayyar. They have animated the MCH programme. Sr Irene Albuquerque has trained a number of young girls in tailoring and craft; this has enabled them to acquire self-reliance. Sr Nazarita D’Souza trained people in herbal cure. Memories of these two great missionaries along with those of their beneficiaries have been imprinted not only in houses of people, but also on the walls of the Convent. Their regular contact with people has brought about spiritual renewal at Kayyar: several alcohol addicts have come out of their addiction.
Animators like Sisters Leonora Menezes (1976-1981) Ursuline Frank (1981-1983), Nazarita D’Souza(1983-1987) who initiated cultivation of paddy in the compound in view of obtaining self-sufficiency, Sophia D’Souza (1987-1990) who initiated rearing cows for the same purpose, Constance D’Souza (1990- 1996 ) Mabel D’Souza(1996-1998 and 2003-2004), Helen D’Souza(1998-2003), Leena Fernandes (2004-2007), Severine D’Cunha (2004-2013) and Monthin Gomes (2013 - ) along with other Sisters brought about substantial development in the Convent. Manual labour was a specific trait of the Sisters at Kayyar. Working in the coconut grove, carrying its products as well as fodder on their head along the road demonstrated their Franciscan spirit. They not only preached but also practised what they believed.
The Convent has been both renovated and equipped in the course of years according to their need. In 1995 the LPG cooking gas was installed, in 2000 water connection was provided for the coconut garden, in 2002 the existing dormitory was partitioned into four rooms and the compound wall was constructed. These refurbishing claim a mention in the history of Vijaya Jesu Raj Convent because to someone who has struggled to light fire in the oven to prepare even a cup of tea, to someone who has watered the coconut trees by drawing water from the well and to someone who has put up with lack of privacy in common dormitories, these renovations matter a great deal. Other works such as rain water harvesting, repair of toilets, repairing the chapel, especially the altar, were also undertaken. Fr Edwin Pinto donated a television set to the Convent.
The Sisters have kept alive the initial spirit of simplicity and commitment. Impact of their life witness is seen in the number of vocations the parish has generated. There have been 40 vocations to priestly and religious life thus far from Kayyar. The great work of the Sisters endorsed by life witness in the service of the marginalized has been recognized by people of other faiths as well. At the occasion of platinum jubilee of Christ the King church, Kayyar in 2009 Swamiji Param Pujya Sri Sri Sri Rajayogi Sadguru honoured Sr Severine D’Cunha. She received the honour in the name of all the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters who have been striving at Kayyar ever since the inception of Vijaya Jesu Raj Convent.