A LOVING TRIBUTE TO SR. MARY FRANCIS
F…..faithful follower of St. Francis
R…..readiness to do the service at all times
A…..attitude of simplicity & attachment to God
N…..nobility in her dealings
C…..commitment to our F.S.M. congregation
I…..integrity in her prayer & life
S…..surrendering to God’s will
THE NAME “FRANCIS” SHE LIVED TO THE FULL
Dear sisters
Sr. Mary Francis was born on 19th August 1941 in a faith-filled family, in Trichy. She was the 3rd child of Mr. Arockia Samy & Maria Thangam. She had two elder brothers & she was the youngest and only girl child. She was a teacher when she heard the voice of God and joined the F.S.M. congregation and professed on 15.12.1969 in Salem.
Sr. Mary Francis rendered her services in various communities:-Krishnagiri, Salem, Elathagiri, Hosur, Christhupalayam, Tiruchengode, & Chennai. Also she rendered her service in FISI at Bangalore. After all these she came to Mathigiri in the year 2006. 2007 was a remarkable year in her life. She had a surgery where the medical doctors gave the verdict that she will be able to live only for three months. But God gave her a miraculous life & she continued her ministry in Mathigiri Parish: Legion of Mary, Choir, Teaching Catechism, Marriage preparation, Visiting the Families to encourage the sick & old, & shared what she had……
As St. Francis, Sr. Mary Francis had a special love towards the creatures & nature. She loved the animals to the maximum. As the years passed by, she was immersed in her CREATOR spending all the time before the LORD.
She was a person EARLY TO CHAPEL & LATE FROM THE CHAPEL TO REST…………..
On 5th January Tuesday, as usual she went to the church for Eucharist. As she reached the church campus, she collapsed before she reaches to the statue of Mother Mary, with whom she had a special devotion. Since Sr. Christy was coming at the back of her, she rushed towards her & helped her to revive. But sister expressed “my right hand is unable to move”. Immediately our parish priest with the help of our sisters shifted her to our Fathima Hospital, attended on her by our doctor and seeing her condition shifted her to St. John’s Hospital.
She was hospitalized for 13 days and she was in the intensive care unit. During these days with much struggle on and off, expressed “Angels are around me to take me to Jesus”------. Seeing her critical condition gave her anointing of the sick. Again next day she wanted to receive the Holy Communion and was given. She spent her days with our sisters, Praying Rosary, Divine Mercy, Psalms, Prayer for souls in purgatory, listening to the songs and prayerful reflections.
She wanted that we should pray not to become hail & healthy rather to have Peaceful death. She was resigned to the will of God and she had an ardent desire to go to Jesus and she pleaded to take away all the medical support and she wished to be back to Mathigiri. On 17th Sunday at 2.30 am she breathed her last and bid farewell to the world.
At 2 pm we had prayer service and blessed the body after which the mortal remains was taken to the parish and the Eucharist was celebrated. Many were present. She was laid to rest in Madhagondapalli cemetery.
Dear Sr. Mary Francis,
You were a role model for prayer.
Your punctuality is admirable.
Your strong will power is unimaginable.
PLEAD FOR US……F. S. M. FAMILY
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord
Let Perpetual Light shine upon her
MAY HER SOUL IN REST IN PEACE…
Sr. Elsy & Community,
Mathigiri.