“I have loved you: abide in my love” (Jn15:9).
Bendur Mangalore,04 December 2018: Sr Gracilda BS nee Therese Gomes of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangaluru, belonging to Bengaluru Province, passed away on Tuesday 4thDecember 2018 at 11.50 am at the age of 77 at St Martha’s Hospital, Bengaluru, where she was admitted for treatment.Funeral Mass is on 5.12.2018 at 3.00 pm at JyothiNilaya Convent Chapel Bengaluru.
Sr Gracilda hails from Kankanady, Mangaluru, Diocese of Mangalore, She is the fifth child among thirteen children of late Mr Manuel Gomes and Lilly Menezes.
Sr Gracilda BS was prayerful, joyful, affectionate and magnanimous in giving herself in the service of others. Perfection in the assigned responsibility was her hallmark, ready for any service. She was gentle, humble and meek in her dealings with people. She served as Kindergarten teacher in Guardian Angel Convent School, Permannur. Being planted in the missionary soil of Madanbhavi, Belgaum she embarked as a true missionary through her witnessing life of Evangelization and Social ministry. Thereafter, she was sent to Casa Domitilla Rome, a home for the pilgrims, as a pioneer, in the Delegation Abroad. Thereafter, she served at St Laurentius, Aachen, Germany, the home for the aged, for 20 years. After her return to India, she continued her service in Maria KripaMahim, Mumbai, Bethany Provincial House, Bengaluru, JyothiNilaya Bengaluru and Bethany Convent and Novitiate, Bogadi.
Due to her ill health she joined the community at JyothiNilaya in 2017. She would spend most of her time before the Blessed Sacrament. In the month of November she was admitted to St John’s Hospital for the ailment of heart disease but with no improvement in her health condition. On 3rd December evening she was administered the sacrament of anointing of the sick and was again admitted to MICU in St Martha’s hospital and was put on ventilator. She suffered from cardiac arrest at 11.50 am On 4th December. Sr Gracilda was well disposed to meet her Maker and flew to her Heavenly reward.
May her soul rest in peace.
(Sr Bonita BS)
Provincial Superior
Bethany Provincial House
Bengaluru-560 084
Contact No: 9980556067
080-25478146, 080-25490226