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Sr. Amelia – Mary Mullenkuzhiyil
of Anickad, Kerala, India
who died at St. Joseph’s Ashram, Jokalandi
on 24th April 2023
aged 87 years, 66 of Religious Profession
As the deer yearns for running streams so I yearn for you, my God. I thirst for God, the living God, when shall I go to see the face of God?
This was the lifelong yearning of Sr. Amelia. Today her desire is fulfilled and has reached the eternal running stream to drink with delight the everlasting joy and share the kingdom of her beloved Jesus. So we can say with St. Paul ( Timothy 4: 7-8) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Mary Kutty was born in Kerala, in Kottayam district in a small village called Anickad on 20th October 1936 to Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Mary of Mullenkuzhiyil family as their eldest child. She was christened on 25th October 1936 on the fifth day of her birth. Subsequently she was blessed with 10 more siblings. They are. Six boys and four girls out of which two of them became MSFS priests and three became nuns.
She was a brilliant Student, excellent leader with indomitable spirit so she was elected as the school leader. She was a person of taciturn. Parents brought them up in Christian faith and morals. She was inspired to join religious life after the example of her uncle who was a MSFS priest (Fr. Sebastian Palckkithottam) worked in Visakhapatnam Mission. It was something noble and the parents were proud to send their children as missionaries to proclaim the Gospel. Mary Kutty along with her cousin Sr. Dr. Marie Leonie was brought to Visakhapatnam, St. Joseph’s Provincial house.
She along with Sisters St. Roch and Xavier entered the Novitiate in Waltair. It was a tough and challenging time. But coping with all odds with an intense desire she completed her formation and made her first Vows on 17th April 1957 and took the name Sr. Amelia. Later on, 17th January 1967 she made her perpetual profession. Meanwhile she was equipped with degree to teach, and that was her passion. She served as a lecturer in St. Joseph’s College Waltair, as a teacher and later as principal in various institutions. Mainly she was an educationist and worked in Waltair, Kakinada, Araku and Bhubaneswar. She also carried out responsibilities as local superior in Bhubaneswar, Jokalandi and Cuttack communities. In the year 2002 she retired from the school. After which she was appointed as the assistant Provincial for six years and then as the Province Secretary of Bhubaneswar province for a tenure of six years. She completed all her task with dedication and determination. She continued to stay in the provincial house helping the community whichever way she could. In the meantime, she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment. In the year 2022 January she fought the corona virus and was recovered. During her treatment it was also diagnosed with further spread of malignant cancer of the bladder. Since she needed rest and suitable care, she was shifted to Jokalandi. There she continued to live a life of prayer and quietness in spite of her pain and suffering. She began to grow feeble day by day as she was reluctant to take food and drink. On Holy Saturday the sisters of Provincialate and Bhubaneswar visited her and was given the sacrament of the sick. On 24th April she was normal and smiled at sr. Pauline as usual but after few hours her breathing pattern changed and showed signs, she would soon join her beloved Jesus. At 11.10 am on the same day in the presence of sisters from Provincialate, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack while praying for her she surrendered her soul to Jesus placidly.
She was a woman of deep faith, courage, unbeatable spirit and commitment, Pleasant and witty in her relationships. Her strength of character lead her to suffer silently without any complaints. She took up life as it came to her. She was totally committed to the mission, a person entirely belonged to the congregation: lived complete surrender and total detachment from everything that is earthly even to her own family. Her heart was entirely given to her loving Jesus and in serving others. Her silent nature motivated us. She had deep relationship with God to fight against her illness and all odds in life. She could be described as a brilliant woman with few apt words fitting for the circumstances. Punctuality, strong character, great administrative skills with humour could be some of the words to describe her. She was truly an asset to our Congregation especially to Bhubaneswar.
She fondly cared the formees with love and guided them according to the charism of the congregation, her concern for support staff were marvellous. She was a sister who loved the congregation with her whole heart and did everything for the growth of the Congregation. Her students loved her, she conquered the naughtiest students with her ever glowing smile, motherly care, kindness and firmness. She worked in the vineyard of the Lord like a steward without any hesitation. She always preferred to live a calm and composed life in harmony with the whole creation. The maxim she constantly lived was. “Be single minded and constant in aiming to love God and our saviour Jesus perfectly but do so calmly.” (Maxim 42)
During her last days she was well aware that it was time for her to return to God. She prepared herself consciously well to meet Jesus with an optimism even when she was fighting the cancer. She could maintain a serenity, acceptance of God’s will and was eager to answer His final call. Her exemplary life continues to encourage us to live a life of contentment and radiate joy in the midst of suffering.
May your soul find rest in the Heavenly abode.
Amen.