Birth : 20.09.1939
Entered Bethany : 31.05.1961
First Profession : 05.05.1963
Perpetual Profession :05.05.1969
Passing into Eternity :11.01.2025
I am the Resurrection and the Life; those who believe in me, even though they die, will live (Jn 11:25).
Having journeyed with the hope of being united with her Beloved Lord, Sr Dymphna BS nee Celine Aranha aged 85, peacefully flew to her eternal abode on 11 January 2025 at 8.30 am at Jyothi Nilaya Bangaluru. She was born to late Mr John Aranha and late Mrs Christine D’ Souza. She hails from the Parish of St Joseph’s Church Belman of Udupi Diocese. She is the Third in the family of four sisters.
Sr Dymphna BS had her primary education in St Joseph’s Primary School Belman and Little Flower High school, Kinnigoli, Mangalore. She completed her BA in St Agnes College and B.Ed at St Anne’s College Mangalore. Having perceived a call to serve Jesus Sr Dymphna joined the Bethany Congregation on 31 May 1961, making her temporary profession on 05 May 1963 and her perpetual profession on 05 May 1969.
She has served in different capacities as a teacher, Superior and Headmistress at St Joseph’s Bathinda, Holy Cross Dimapur, Presentation, Dharwad, St Martha’s Mudigere, Bethany, Loliem Goa, St Michael’s Dandeli, St Mary’s, Arsikere, Ave Maria Sirsi, Bethany Convent Bangalore, St Joseph’s K R Nagar and St Mary’s, Kutta. She served as the Councillor of the Regional Superior for two terms and first Provincial Superior of Bangalore Province for two terms which was newly erected on 8 June 1986. Sr Dymphna took a leap of fatih, trusting in the Divine providence and in the co-operation of the sisters.
The training and education with Mercy Sisters in Chicago, USA helped Sr Dymphna in her new shepherding leadership role to shape and direct the Province and guide the Sisters towards growth in holiness. She devoted herself to the spiritual and academic formation of the Sisters. New communities were opened in Sao Jose De Areal, Goa, Ankola, Karwar, Panvel, Doddabelavangala, Bogadi, Mahim and Kable. The long felt need of having a separate Provincial House with necessary facilities for the smooth administration of the Province was realized by the end of her second term. Having given a strong foundation to the new Province she proved herself as the true stewardess in the garden of Bethany.
She was a person of prayer, prompt to rise early and spend the day in the presence of the Lord. She spent long hours before the Blessed Sacrament as a powerful intercessor for the mission of the Province. She had great devotion to the Blessed Mother and Rosary was her constant companion especially when she was ill. She possessed the qualities of love, simplicity, cheerfulness, gentleness, sensitivity towards the sisters, and had great love for the poor and the needy. Sr Dymphna was committed, firm and gentle, an attentive listener as well as a loving Provincial. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit she was able to take quick and appropriate decisions in the development of the Province.
Sr Dymphna was suffering from Skin Cancer and other age-related sickness for a long time and was transferred to Jyothi Nilaya, Bangalore in 2014. Sr Dymphna accepted her illness with resignation and trust in the Lord. She was patient with herself and bore her pains and inconveniences with a willing heart. She would join the community prayers whenever it was possible. Rev. Fr Mohan SMM the assistant Parish Priest of St Pius the X Church Kammanahalli, administered the sacrament of anointing of the sick and prayed over her. On 11 January she showed symptoms of uneasiness.Seeing her serious condition Sr Sahana the Provincial Superior, her team and Sr Precilla the superior and the Sisters of the community prayed at her bed side and commended her soul into the hands of her Beloved Master at 8.30 a.m.
I extend my sincere condolences to Sr Sahana the Provincial Superior and all the Sisters of Bangaluru Province, Sr Precilla the local superior and the Sisters of Jyothi Nilaya, Bengaluru, for their tender care and spiritual accompaniment especially during herextended illness.
Her funeral rites will be held at Jyothi Nilaya chapel, Bangaluru on 12.01.2025 at 10.30 am.
We commend the soul of Sr Dympna to God and pray - Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace.
Sr Rose Celine BS
(Superior General)