Born : 22.11.1935
Entered Bethany : 04.06.1955
First Profession : 08.05.1957
Perpetual Profession : 04.05.1963
Slept in the Lord : 01.01.2023
Sr M Carmelita BS (88) of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore, passed away peacefully at 3.40 am on Sunday 1st January 2023 at Rosa Mystica Convent, Kinnikambla due to cardiac arrest. She hails from Kannada KuduruGangolli belonging to Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary Parish,Gangolli ofUdupi Diocese. She is the daughter oflate MrJerome Crasta and late MrsRemediaLewis. She has three brothers and five sisters. Sheis the elder sister of Sr Hariette BS of Guwahati Province.
Sr Carmelita had great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Blessed Mother. She spent long hours before the Blessed Sacrament and was a powerful intercessor. She was prompt to rise early and spend the day in the presence of the Lord drawing divine energy from Him. The celebration of the Eucharist was her breath. She would intercede for the needs of the world and the suffering humanity, community, Congregation and the people who visited the Grotto. Gratitude and positive approach to everything was the hallmark of her life. She was always joyful and would say ‘I am in the paradise.’ So there is no room for any complaints. For everything and everyone she had a word of appreciation and gratitude.
She has rendered her services at Bendur, Kinnigoli, Nirkan, Basrur, Kanajar, Vamanjoor, Kallianpur, Shubadha and Rosa Mystica as an efficient teacher, Superior, Warden of the Children’sHome and Old Age home at Ozanam, Kallianpur. She has enlightened thousands of students through her life example, compassion and commitment. She possessed the qualities of love, cheerfulness, concern, sensitivity and generosity towards the sisters, the poor and the needy. She has won the hearts of many children and peoplethrough her affectionate nature.She was committed and loyal to the Congregation and had great respect to the authority.
On 31st Dec 2022, she was quite hale and hearty till she went for her night’s rest. She had planned to visit the Founder’s Cottage, Bendur along with her religious sister, Sr Hariette, nephew and family members on 1January 2023. She had shared the joy of meeting her home people with all the sisters of the community on the previous day. But God had a different plan for her. In early hours of 1 January 2023, she flew unexpectedly to God her Creator with much shock to all of us.
She was suffering from chronic asthma from a long time and was under medication. On 1January 2023 Sunday at 3.30am she was groaning and on hearing this, Sr Leera Maria, the Superior rushed to her room and found her in a helpless state without being able to speak. She offered her possible help but Sr Carmelita collapsed in her arms at 3.40am. Hearing the sad demise of our beloved sister, the sisters of the Community and Tertians gathered together and commended her soul to God. Her mortal remains are placed in the Convent Chapel and continuous prayers are being offered by the inmates of Rosa MysticaCampus and the parishioners.
Thefuneral will be held at Rosa Mystica Convent Chapel Kinnikambla on Monday,2January 2023at 10.00am.
I extend my sincere condolences to Sr Cicilia Mendonca, the Provincial Superior and all the sisters of Mangalore Province; Sr Leera Maria, the local Superior and the members of Rosa Mystica Convent, Kinnikambla.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace!
Sr Rose Celine BS
Superior General