Born: 28.01.1945
Entered Bethany : 24.05.1962
First Profession: 05.05.1964
Perpetual Profession: 04.05.1970
Passing into Eternity: 23.08.2024
“Like gold in the Furnace, He tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering He accepted them.” (Wis 3:6).
These words from the book of Wisdom have been realized in the life of Sr Fabiola BS of Jesus Crucified. She was in her 80th year of age and 60th year of religious life in the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany. Sr Fabiola BS Nee Stephanie Angela Mathias was born to late Mr Fabian Mathias and late Mrs Johanna Mary Mathias of Shirva Parish, Udupi Diocese. She has two sisters and seven brothers, Rev Fr Joe Mathias, SJ is one among them. Sr Shalet Mendonca BS is her niece in the same congregation.
Sr Fabiola completed her primary education in the local Don Bosco Hr Pry School, and had her secondary school studies in St Mary’s High School, Shirva. She completed her Teacher’s Training in Rosa Mystica Teacher Training Institute, Gurpur. She joined Bethany Convent on 24th May 1962, made her temporary profession on 5th May 1964 and her perpetual profession in 1970.
Sr Fabiola is a person of prayer and deep faith in the Lord and in Mother Mary. Respectful towards authority and concerned about the wellbeing of students, staff, sisters, the sick and the elderly with a compassionate heart.
After her first profession she commenced her teaching apostolate in Moodubelle and thereafter served in Basrur and Bendur in St Sebastian and kankanady as a teacher cum Headmistress. She proved herself a responsible and loyal daughter of Bethany. Updating herself to be a useful person for the mission she earned her B.A. through the Karnataka University, Dharwad. Since 1975, she served at Casa Domitilla, Rome for eight years and 24 years in Germany, serving the elderly and the sick with much care and diligence. She was also engaged in pastoral apostolate in Paris (France) and in Rome before she returned to India in 2009, due to cancer diagnosis. Back at home in the Mother House she committed herself to maintain accounts either in the Generalate office or community displaying diligence, commitment, transparency and accuracy.
Of late the cancer disease took toll of her life and confined her to the room. Her spirit of endurance, resignation to God’s will, patience and constant prayer in suffering were very much edifying.
In the early hours of August 2024, as she was waiting to meet the Lord in the Eucharist, the Lord himself came to meet her as she passed away to His heavenly abode at 6.20 am. Her mortal remains are at Bethany Convent Chapel Bendur for public view and prayers. Her funeral rites will be held on Saturday, 24 August 2024 at 9.00 in the same Chapel.
I extend my sincere condolences to Sr Shaila, the Delegation Superiorand Sr Shubha, the local Superior and the members of Bethany Mother House Community Bendur.
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