Obituaries

Born : 05.07.1948
Entered Bethany : 31.05.1966
Temporary Profession : 24.03.1971
Perpetual Profession : 17.05.1976
Entered Eternity : 30.01.2024

Blessed are those whom the Master finds watching when He comes. Lk12:37

These words from the Gospel of Luke seem true in the life of Sr Patrina who took a flight into eternity promptly butun expectedly at the age of 76 when the Master called her on the 30th afternoon of January 2024. She was well prepared to receive her Creator and Spouse spending eight months in perpetual adoration as a member of the prayer ministry group in Bethany Mother House, Bendur, Mangalore representing Mangalore Province. Her gentle movements coupled with a broad smile spoke of her transparent relationship and constant communion with the Lord and others.Sr Patrina BS Nee Jessie D’ Mello was born to late Mr Robert Gregory D’ Mello and late Mrs Anna Maria D’ Mello on 5th July 1948 in Mundkur - Kirem and was baptized on 15th August. She is the 5th in line; three of her brothers and five sisters are living.

Sr Patrina had her primary education in Government Pry School, Jogulabettu and Christ King Hr Pry School, Karkal in 1963 and completed her Secondary School in S.V.T.Girls High School, Karkal in 1966. Having done her Teachers’ Training at Rosa Mystica TTI, Kinnikambla and Bachelor in Arts through S.N.D.T. Women’s College, Mumbai, she earned B.Ed Degree at St Ann’s B. Ed College, Mangalore in the year 1984. She had to her credit M.A.and M. Ed from the Mysore University.Having perceived a call to serve Jesus, young Jessie joined the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany on 31st May 1966. She entered the Novitiate on 5th May 1969, made her temporary profession on 24th March 1971 and her perpetual profession in the year 1976.

Having qualified herself as a teacher Sr Patrina rendered her services at Gulabi School-Jayamahal, Bangalore, St Mary’s School, Dahanu Road, Maharashtra, St Joseph’s School, Bathinda, Sacred Hearts’ School, Kulshekar, St Joseph’s High School, Kankanady, St Michael’s School, Mahim, Mumbai, Bethany Convent High School, Goa, Morning Star, Bajpe and St Raymond’s High School, Vamanjur. Prior to coming for the ministry of the perpetual adoration to Bethany Mother House, Bendur, Sr Patrina was serving at Jyothi PU College, Ajekar, under Mangalore Province.

Sr Patrina by nature was a jovial person. She was sensitive, kind and generous to the needs of others especially to the sick and the needy. Her love for Jesus was visible in her contemplative attitude. As a school teacher she worked untiringly to bring out the best in her students. She had a soft corner to the poor and the downtrodden; simple and kind-hearted in her approach to all her teachers, the students and parents as a Headmistress. Her docile nature enabled her to accept responsibility with commitment. She was a great devotee of Mother Mary whose blessing she invoked every night before she went to bed.

On the 30th morning she attended to her night prayer schedule from 2.00 am to 4.00 am. After her prayer at 8.30 am, she met Sr Shaila, the Delegation Superior and described to her about the month’s mind celebration of her brother that she had attended at Belman on the 28th of this month whom she had lost a month ago in Mumbai. After that she washed her clothes and was in her room. Since she didn’t turn up for lunch, Sr Annie George one of the members of the prayer group ministry went looking for her. To her great shock she saw Sr Patrina lying on the bed without responding. Hence she called Sr Shaila immediately who rushed to her room and seeing her motionless, Sr Shaila, Sr Annie George and Sr Philomena tried to revive her through first aid. Since there was no response she called Sr Dona, the Superior, Sr Bonita and Sr Violet the Procurator General. Immediately she was shifted to Fr Muller’s hospital and was declared dead by the doctors at 1.37 pm. Immediately Sr Rose Celine,the Superior General, who was on her visitation of Mangalore Province was informed; Sr Mariette the General Councillor and Sr Cecilia Mendonca Provincial Superior of Mangalore Province along with her Councillors rushed to the hospital and commended her soul to her Creator. Her mortal remains are kept in the mortuary at Fr Muller’s and will be brought to Bethany Convent, Bendur at 12 noon on 31.01.2024 for viewing and thereafter for funeral rites at 3.30 pm in the Bethany Mother House Chapel.

I extend my sincere condolences to Sr Shaila, the Central Delegation Superior and all the sisters of the Central Delegation, Sr Dona Sanctis, the local Superior and the members of Bethany Mother House,Bendur.We deeply mourn the sudden passing away of our dear Sr Patrina and pray for eternal rest! May she who adored the Lord in the early dawn of the day welcome her into eternity.

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