“I am the Resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”  (John 11:25-26)

                    Christ address these words of life to our dear Sr. Mary Lucia as He called her to end life’s journey here below and found her abode in the heavens above where all is bliss and joy.

Footsteps on the sands of time. Yes our dear Sister left her imprints in a village called Nether Kere at Bantwal Mangalore, where she was born to Paschal Pinto and Emiliana Silva on the 29^th of July 1934. On 13^th August she donned the robe of baptism and was named as Martha Pinto. She imbibed the deep faith and Christian values of her parents and grew up along with her 4 brothers and 2 sisters to be their joy and comfort. She is also the beloved sister of Emeritus Arch Bishop Ignatius Pinto and late Sr. Mary Jacintha FSM.

On 15^th November 1954, she entered the portals of the Franciscan Servants of Mary. The Lord was calling her slowly but definitely to be His own, following His footprints and the way of life .She entered the Postulancy followed by the Novitiate on 28^th May 1955. It was on 7^th of May 1957, she made her first profession and the final profession on 17^th October 1962.

The years of formation were the years when Sr. Mary Lucia blossomed. The Lord had gifted her with many talents and she loved to expertise in all her duties and assignments to the maximum. She was not only a true teacher and a mother to the tiny tots but also her Spirit of prayer and Sacrifice, her acceptance of pain and difficulties which she endured till she breathed her last are truly remarkable. She loved the poor and lived the Charism of the Franciscan in varied ways. Our dear      Sr. Mary Lucia was a source of blessing for our Congregation, family and gave her very best wherever she was sent.

True to the Spirit of obedience, she has navigated from North to South, East to West. She has gazed on the blue skies of Mangalore and left her footprints on the sands of Salem, Krishnagiri, Mathagondapalli of Tamil Nadu, Vittal and Karwar. For nearly 3 decades, she has rendered her yeomen service to the tiny tots of Nazareth Kindergarten at Mangalore, she has left the bench mark in the hearts of many by her long standing service which has made them what they are today. She was called to serve with a generous heart and no doubt, she has offered her services joyfully and enthusiastically.

The Cross is also a gift from the Lord and He asked her to share it closely. The malady that afflicted her was a painful one demanding many sacrifices. God awarded her with a visit to her beloved sister at her native place just before the day of her departure. Silently and smilingly she offered her life to the Lord who came to take her to Himself on 15^th February 2022 at 9.15 a.m.

Our hearts are filled with gratitude towards our dear Sr. Mary Lucia’s parents and family for the precious gift of Martha to us. How can the FSM family and each one of us ever thank you enough for all that you had been to us, all that you had given and will be giving from heaven. Remembrance is the only way of seeing your footsteps on the sands of time.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let the perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace.

“Your life was a blessing

Your memory our treasure

You are loved beyond words

 And missed beyond measure”.

 Sr. Marcelline and community

  Nazareth convent, Mangalore.