Born :10.08.1931
Entered Bethany :16.07.1954
Temporary Profession :13.05.1956
Perpetual Profession :04.05.1962
Slept in the Lord :01.05.2023
Sr Dolora BS nee Severine Sequeira (92) of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, of Guwahati province passed away peacefully at 11.20pm on Monday 1 May 2023 at Bethany Convent, Garchuk, Guwahati. She hails from St Joseph's Parish Bajpe, Mangalore. She is the daughter of late Baptist Sequeira and late Theresa Sequeira. She grew up in the loving company of 4 brothers and 3 sisters among whom late Sr Aurora BS was her eldest Sister.
Sr Dolora was a loving, humane and compassionate sister who served the little ones in the school and hostels. She served the poor and the marginalized and took great care of children like a mother. Her pastoral zeal was admirable and she could relate to all and draw them to the Lord. Her witty and humorous nature, even in her ailments endeared many to her and they enjoyed being in her company. She was prompt to rise early and spend time before the Blessed Sacrament. She was also a great devotee of Mother Mary. Rosary was her constant companion which brought down blessings on all. Sr Dolora’s obedience to the superiors and fidelity to duty was her hallmark. She was neat and orderly in her appearance and in her work.
After her first profession Sr Dolora was sent to Sagar. There she had expressed her desire to be a missionary. In fact when the superiors were selecting the first batch of Sisters in 1962 to be sent to North East India which was like an alien land then; Sr Dolora was one among the four pioneers. She joined the first batch of Sisters – Misericors, Sylvine and Inviolatha and left Mangalore for Kolasib, Mizoram on June 1962.
Her first transfer in Northeast was after 13 long years of dedicated service at Kolasib. This shows of her effectiveness in her mission. She was transferred to Mariamnagar in Tripura. Like all missionaries she too had to face opposition, struggles and her faith was even more tested during the Bangladesh war as they had to flee to a safer place. Later she served in Nagaland Viswema and Dimapur. She had also served in Kolkata. Her service at St Joseph convent Chittaranjan was memorable as she remained there for 10 years. In the year 2021 she was shifted to Bethany Provincial House, Guwahati.
God blessed Sr Dolora with a long life of 92 years and 61 years of consecrated life. She was active all through doing her daily duties diligently. It was in the month of May 2022 after a fall her movements were restricted and later was confined to bed. She was loved much by the Sisters and received good care from the Provincial Superior, local superior, a nurse sister and the sisters of the community with the assistance of a helper.
On 1 May 2023 at 9.30am Sr Dolora's health deteriorated. Sr Benedicta the Provincial Superior and the sisters of the community rushed to her aid. Sr Rose Celine the Superior General was informed about her condition and she prayed over her through a video call. Sr Dolora continued to breathe hard for the entire day and was constantly assisted by the sisters and candidates. They gave her the spiritual support by constant prayers and her favourite hymns. She gave a deep sigh and surrendered her spirit into the hands of her eternal Father at 11.20pm. Her funeral rites will be held on Wednesday 3 May 2023 at 9.00am in Bethany Provincial House, Guwahati.
I extend my sincere condolences to Sr Benedicta Aranha, the Provincial Superior and all the sisters of Guwahati Province; Sr Benedicta Sapna, the local Superior and the members of the community.
Eternal Rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.
Sr Shanthi Priya BS
Asst Superior General