from Bethany Generalate
Mangalore
Mother Mary Gemma BS, of Immaculate Conception, former Superior General, who departed this life on 26.12.2009 at 8.30 pm in the 74th year of her Religious Profession and 94th year of her life.
Funeral cortege leaves Bethany Motherhouse at 2.30 p.m. on 28.12.2009, Monday to St Sebastian’s Church, Bendur, Mangalore. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 3.00 p.m.
Sr Mary Gemma nee Marcelline Fernandes, born at Kundapur, Udupi District, Karnataka, India on 11.05.1915, 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. in 19.5.1932. As a loyal and devoted member of the new institute she has endeared herself selflessly to one and all. Imbibing the spirit of the Founder and the founding members she has inspired the young and the old by 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 12.01.1961. she opened Joseph’s Convent English Medium School and St Joseph’s Punjabi Medium School that for the benefit of the poor of the area. She also sent the Sisters to the mission stations to the surrounding villages along with Pilar Fathers. Through medical and other social service centres she was totally integrated in the lives of people and the Punjabi culture. She worked tirelessly for the empowerment of the poor and the marginalized.Thus she touched the lives of numerous people by her love, kindness and generosity. Her heart was magnanimous enough to embrace all categories of people. The beneficiaries of her compassionate love reciprocated 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 used to come to St Raymond’s, Vamanjoor to meet her, to share with their life and receive her blessings.
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 are remarkable. Her fidelity, devotion to duty and deep prayer spirit are indeed worthy of emulation. Although suffered from various ailments, she lived her life vibrantly placing all her trust and faith in Jesus Christ, her divine spouse.
With a stroke, she went into coma state on 21.12.2009. Although prompt medical assistance was granted to her at Fr Muller’s Hospital she failed to respond. She was shifted to Concetta Hospital, Kinnogoly for palliative care on 25.12.2009. 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 by her holy life. She has enriched the holiness of the Congregation. Being the embodiment of love, courage, patience and forgiveness, she has 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 has touched our lives with her compassionate and unconditional love.