 |
|
|
|
Sr Mary Gemma nee Marcelline Fernandes, born at Kundapur, Udupi
District, Karnataka, India on 11 May, 1915, joined the Congregation of
the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore when the said
Congregation had completed its existence of 11 years i.e. on 19 May,
1932. As a loyal and devoted member of the new institute she endeared
herself selflessly to one and all. Imbibing the spirit of the Founder
and the founding members she inspired the young and the old with her
zeal, endurance and deep commitment to live the life of Jesus, her
Beloved.
She began her devoted service as a teacher in the year 1935 at
Bethany in Mangalore. Having served for 26 years in Karnataka as
Superior, Headmistress and Directress of Orphanages she was selected to
head a band of 12 Sisters to pioneer Bethany’s new mission in North
India by opening three institutions simultaneously in the States of
Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to serve the people through
pastoral, educational, social and medical apostolates.
Mother Gemma was appointed as first local Superior of St Joseph’s
Convent, Bhatinda, Punjab, the first community of Bethany in North
India which was opened on 12 Jan.1961. She opened Joseph’s Convent
English Medium School and St Joseph’s Punjabi Medium School for the
benefit of the poor of the area. She also sent the Sisters to the
mission stations in the surrounding villages along with Pilar Fathers.
Through medical and other social service centres she totally integrated
herself into the lives of people and the Punjabi culture. She worked
tirelessly for the empowerment of the poor and the marginalized. Thus
touching the lives of numerous people with her love, kindness and
generosity. Her heart was magnanimous enough to embrace all categories
of people. The beneficiaries of her compassionate love reciprocated to
her admirably. People of Bhatinda, Punjab, cherish her sweet memories
and still call her as their Mother. Even after 40 years, her
ex-students of Bhatinda would come to St Raymond’s, Vamanjoor to meet
her, to share their lives and receive her blessings.
On being transferred to St Theresa’s Convent, Karnal, Haryana
State, Mother Gemma, served as the Superior and Regional Superior from
1975 to 1977. She was elected Superior General in 1977 but she resigned
this office on health grounds by the end of 1979. From 1980 to 1984
Mother Gemma was at St Joseph’s Convent, Sagar as local superior, and
from 1984 to 1987, local superior, Nazareth Convent, Bajpe, Karnataka.
From 1987, being a member of St Raymond’s Convent, Vamanjoor she
had been a “guardian angel” to the elderly Sisters. The elderly and the
invalids at St Raymond’s and others who visited her always found in her
comfort, strength, security and joy in the person of Mother Gemma. Her
cordiality, generosity and hospitality was remarkable indeed. Her
fidelity, devotion to duty and deep prayer spirit are also indeed
worthy of emulation. Although suffering from various ailments, she
lived her life vibrantly placing all her trust and faith in Jesus
Christ, her divine spouse.
It was a stroke, when made her lapse into coma on 21 Dec. 2009.
Even though prompt medical assistance was given to her at Fr Muller’s
Hospital, she failed to respond. She was shifted to Concetta Hospital,
Kinnogoly for palliative care on 25 Dec.2009. Being fortified by the
Sacrament of the Anointing and supported by the incessant prayers of
the Sisters at her bed side, she responded to her Master’s call
silently to begin her new life with the Most Holy Trinity and in the
company of Angels and Saints in her Eternal Home.
Bethany is grateful to Mother Gemma for bequeathing a rich
spiritual legacy, with her holy life. She enriched the holiness of the
Congregation. Being the embodiment of love, courage, patience and
forgiveness, she transformed suffering and pain into sweet acts of love
and prayer to inherit the bliss of heaven and enter into eternal glory.
May she live eternally in her heavenly home and in our hearts as she
managed to touch our lives with her compassionate and unconditional
love.
|
|
|
|
|
|
