er: 17: 8 Says, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water, sends out its roots by the stream, bearing fruit each season”.

The well cherished, fond memories of our Dear Sr. Mary Pauline could be compared to nothing else, than this tree at the river bank, for a person who knew her and experienced her.

Born on a fertile land of faith and love,

Grown tall and straight, strong and firm,

Storms may come, clouds may rain down,

But unshaken was her trust and hope,

Led the entrusted folk in religious values, steady and upright,

Fulfilled all she could and was entrusted,

Relaxed for a while and disappeared unexpectedly.

Life is a constant uncertainty, but, death is a constant certainty.

23^rd November 1936, a new dawn was dawned in the family of Thekkethala, at Parappukkara in Trichur, Kerala for Mr. Poulose and Mrs. Ittiyanam. God blessed them with a lovely girl child, as the second of their children. Enveloped in love and affection, they named her baby, whose baptismal name was Rosa. Grown and molded in the courtyard of Christian faith, values and virtues, she grew up along with her elder brother and younger sister.

Jer.: 1:5 “Before you were born in your mother’s womb, I knew you”.

At the age of 19, having completed the initial stages of education, realizing the divine call, she joined the F.S.M congregation in the year 1956, in Mangalore, under the care and guidance of our French missionaries. Nurturing within, the call to religious life, in perseverance, with courage and determination, she said her first yes on 06/01/1959, with the name Mary Pauline.

It was a time when, medical facilities were not developed. Sr. Mary Pauline was sent for her nursing and midwifery, along with Sr. Mary Josepha, as the first Indian nurses of F.S.M. Having professionally qualified as a full pledged nurse and midwife, she rendered her service in Mathagondappally and Krishnagiri. In 1977, she was sent to Goa for theology 2 yrs and returning, she was elected as the Regional Councillor and animator of the Krishnagiri community. In 1982, she was elected as the first Indian regional superior to bring up the growing Indian province for 12 years.

With profound gratitude to God and to you dear Sr. Pauline, we remember and recall each steps you climbed to make this province grow, along with Sr. Marie Anne as the treasurer. It was not a time of plenty, but a valley of poverty and nothingness. The land which you rest today, on the path of eternity, are purchased under your leadership. In the year 1994, Sr. Mary Pauline was elected as the Asst.  Superior General, at the same time animator of the Mother house, Blois. In 2000 sister was reelected as general Councillor and continued for another 6 years, in France and shouldered the responsibility, as the animator of the community of Romorantin. You traveled from country to countries to learn about the mission lands where our sisters are working and to know about their welfare. In 2006, returned back to India and continued as the animator of Assisi Nilaya community. At the age of 75 on, you were in a period of rest and relaxation and grew old gracefully. Your presence was magnanimous and encouraging.

Dear Sr. Pauline, the ever fresh memories of yours fills our hearts, minds and eyes. We offer our tribute to you.  We have a lot to say, lot to remember. We, the majority of the Bangalore province were cradled in your lap of affection and care. We could trust you, share with you, look up to you. You were firm in your decisions, perception and resolutions, Discrete to the core. True to say, a strong pillar of the Bangalore and early Varanasi province as it was one at that time.  We could approach you at any time, open our hearts to you. You had 2 listening ears and a heart to feel. Every member was unique for you, not the same.  We uphold your motherly care at the early stages of our religious life. You were founded on a rock, so that nothing could easily shake you, to handle the burdens of the given responsibility.

Memories turn over our minds. We never knew, you would bid good bye to us so sudden, to enter the door of eternity.

A Little about the last days of Sr. Mary Pauline’s earthly journey

On December 6^th 2021, morning Sr. Mary Pauline, just mentioned about a little ache on her back. Thinking some muscle catch muscle relaxants were given for which she felt slight improvement for two days. On the 3^rd day, she had pain still persisting and was taken to St. John’s Medical College Hospital for a checkup. Due to mild Dementia, Sister Pauline kept on saying the whole day, “I just mentioned about a little pain, never meant to take me to hospital, just mentioned casually” etc.; From then on she was on various tests and   investigations in and out of St. John’s, till 18/01/2021. On 18^th Sr. Pauline was diagnosed to have Plasmacytoma, accordingly with the consent of Sr. Pauline, treatment was suggested, 10 cycles of radiation, on O.P basis. And so Sister was brought back home on 20^th. The following 2 days radiation was given in St. John’s Oncology Centre. On 23^rd Sunday night, sister had frequent loose stools (less quantity) for which she was disturbed and could not sleep that night, might be due to radiation, according to doctors.  And that morning she was tired and had little cold and mild phlegm and an anti-histamine was given. Because she was on high antibiotics for a longer period. She had her kanji and the rest of it. We canceled the radiation of that day, because of tiredness. In the evening around 5.10 pm, found her to be little breathless and chest congestion, checked her oxygen level and it was coming down. Ambulance was arranged and shifted her to St. John’s hospital with the aid of oxygen,                        by 6.40 pm.

In emergency room, Sister’s oxygen level came up to 95-97% and B.P also was improved. But on examination the doctors said, she is in septic shock and condition is serious. She also became positive for Covid.  Advised ICU admission for treatment, around 11 p. m, Sister was still speaking and smiling till she was shifted to the ICU bed, but never thought, sister would never return and can never see her again in the same way.  Around 11.30 pm, they informed, sister’s condition was worsening, need to be put on ventilator. On 25^th, at 3.30 AM, they called from ICU saying, Sr. Mary Pauline is in a critical stage, and nothing more can be done. After 10 minutes, they called back again saying, sister is no more. She had already journeyed for her eternal reward.

During her illness, it was her regular saying, “I have no complaints to God, He had blessed me with good health till 85 yrs, now the vehicle is in garage. It is difficult to be dependent. But I am learning”. She always had a grateful heart to God and to everyone who was at her side.

We do thank our dear Sr. Reetha Paul who was one with us, through her constant call, encouraging words, prayer and sharing our painful moments, also the council team.  Sr. Miriam was a real guide and support, following us all through, finding time to be with Sr. Pauline, physically whenever it was possible, visiting her and encouraging her. When it was difficult for the community (Shalom Nivas) to manage by ourselves,   Sr. Miriam arranged sisters from other communities to be with Sister, specially we thank the Communities of Nava Jeevan, M.P.K., Krishnagiri, Hosur, Mathigiri,  Clareville and Assisi Nilaya. Our elderly sisters of the community too had time to spend with her every day and to share their old stories and memories.

Nothing remains constant, except the one who gave us life. And so she returned to the one from whom she came.

Dear Sr. Pauline, God was so keen to your prayers and pain. Your days of sufferings were cut short. You desired and prayed that you should not become a burden to anyone. You were not a burden, but a grace given to us, to care for you, for all that you have done for each one of us, to the province, and to the congregation. We miss you, your presence, your opinions….. Now sitting above, counsel us with Jesus, that we your sisters may follow the right path as true reflection of Christ in this New Gen Era. Intercede for us till we come together in the heavenly kingdom.

“Hereafter the sky of love is yours and the memory of earth is ours”.

With love and affection,

Your sisters of Shalom Nivas Community.