Born : 29.04.1949
Entered Bethany : 08.06.1966
Temporal Profession : 24.03.1971
Perpetual Profession : 16.05.1977
Slept in the Lord : 02.05.2023
Sr M Carita BS (74) nee Veronica DSouzaof the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore, passed away peacefully at 3.15pmon 2 May 2023,due to a cardiac arrest. She was the superior of Lourdes Convent Kanajar. She is the daughter oflate Mr Joseph Benjamin DSouza andlate Mrs Marceline Pinto, belonging to St Roque’s Church, Neerude of Mangalore Diocese.She has four brothers and four sisters among whom one is a priest Fr Robert and Sr Irene BS and Sr Gretta BS are Bethany sisters.
Sr Carita was aperson of prayer. She was prompt to rise early and spend the day in the presence of the Lord drawing divine energy from Him. As the convent is dedicated to our lady of Lourdes she used to pray the Rosary and make her day more meaningful and fruitful. All those who have known and lived with her will testify that she is a prayerful and a pleasant person.She displayed a tender attitude towards the young and old all through her life. She was affectionate and sought the company of sisters, faithful for all the community exercises including recreation. She possessed the qualities of love, simplicity, concern and sensitivity. She had a cheerful countenance and with a motherly heart warmly welcomed all who approached her. She is a lover of nature and would cultivate flowers and vegetables.
She served as an efficient teacher, caring Superior and a friendly Warden rendering her services at Ranipura, Karkal, Sampaje, Bendur, Badyar, Moodubelle, Puttur, Taccode, Bajpe, Shubadha, Siddakatte, Ozanam and Kanajar. She had created an impact on her students and inmates of Ozanam a senior citizens’ home.She has ignited the lives of thousands of students through her witnessing life, compassion and commitment. She has won the hearts of many children and people through her capturing smile and affectionate words. She was committed and loyal to the Congregation and had great respect to the authority.
She had shared the joy of meeting her people on 9 May 2023 as it was the Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee of her priest brother Fr Robert for which the entire family would come together. She was well prepared and eagerly looking forward for the celebration. But God’s ways are not our ways, she flew away unexpectedly and suddenly to her Creator with much shock to all of us.
Sr Carita was healthy and never complained of any illness. She went to bed as usual on 1 May, the feast of St Joseph the Worker. On 2 May she showed symptoms of uneasiness. Seeing her condition sisters from the community shifted her to Fr Muller’s Hospital Kankanady. There she suffered a cardiac arrest and at 3.15pm flew away to meet her eternal bridegroom in the presence of the sisters,who accompanied her by prayers and commended her soul to God.
Funeral rites will be held onFriday 5 May 2023 at 11.00am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kanajar.
I extend my sincere condolences to Sr Cicilia Mendonca, the Provincial Superior and all the sisters of Mangalore Province; and the community members of Lourdes Convent,Kanajar
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