Born :24.07.1935
Entered Bethany :15.10.1955
Temporary Profession :08.05.1958
Perpetual Profession :04.05.1964
Slept in the Lord :29.10.2024
Sr M Lioba BS, nee Christine D Souza, aged 90, is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore Province, peacefully flew to her eternal abode on 29th October 2024 at 10.45 am at Concetta Hospital, Kinnigoli. She was born to the Late Dominic D Souza and the Late Mercine D Souza. She hails from St Ignatius of Loyola Church, Paladka in the Diocese of Mangalore. She is seventh in the family of eight siblings with four brothers and three sisters. Her elder sister Sr Consolata BS passed away in2016.
Sr Lioba’s education commenced at St Ignatius Higher Primary School, Paladka and Govt Higher Primary School, Kadandale followed by her High School studies at Little Flower Girls’ High School, Kinnigoli, and completed her TCH at Rosa Mystica Teachers Training Institute, Kinnikambla. Having perceived a call to serve Jesus, Sr Lioba joined Bethany Congregation on 15thOctober 1955, making her Temporary Profession on 08th May 1958 and Perpetual Profession on 05 th May 1964.
Sr Lioba has rendered her services at Nirkan, Puttur, Badyar, Bajpe, Kulshekar, Kirem,Kinnigoliand Neerude. She has served as Superior, Headmistress and Hostel Warden and won the hearts of little ones by drawing many more to religious life. Her spirituality was characterized by her punctuality in community exercises, meticulously following the traditions of Bethany. She lived an exemplary life that inspired both the youth and the elders in the community. Her deep respect for authority was widely appreciated and admired. She practiced the vow of poverty wholeheartedly, emulating Jesus who lived a life of simplicity and chastity. Her care for the sick and the elderly was remarkable.
For the past 12 years she was confined to the convent, spending long hours before the Blessed Sacrament. Prayer was her source of strength. She found joy in gazing at the Lord in the Tabernacle with profound love and gratitude. On October 06th 2024 after the night prayer she had a sudden fall which resulted in severe haemorrhage in the brain. Thereafter her health condition deteriorated and she breathed her last peacefully on 29.10.2024 at 10.45 am in the presence of Sr Premalatha, the superior of the community, Dr Sr Jeevitha and the community sisters at her bed side.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Sr Lilly Pereira the Provincial Superior, the sisters of Mangalore Province, Sr Premlatha, the Superior, and the sisters of Maryvale Convent, Kinnigoli for their tender care, especially during her illness. We commend the soul of Sr Lioba to God and pray - Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace!
Funeral rites will be held on Wednesday, 30 October 2024 at 10.30 am at Immaculate Conception Church, Kinnigoli.
(Sr M Shanthi Priya BS)
Asst Superior General