from Fr Gregory D' Souza
Sr M Celestine CJ (Congregation of Jesus) (72), who served the Allahabad Region of the Congregation of Jesus, formerly known as the IBMV breathed her last at 'Nazareth Hospital', run by the Diocese of Allahabad at 4.00 am on Saturday, September 1, 2012.
The funeral Mass will be offered in St Mary's Chapel at 3.00 pm on Saturday, September 1 and the last rites and burial will be conducted at the Christian Cemetery, Allahabad.
Sr Celestine was born to the late Baltazar & Concepta Barboza in Pilar, Udupi Dist on 10th August, 1940. After she completed her High School, inspired by her uncle, the late Bishop Baptist Mudartha of Allahabad Diocese, she entered the IBMV congregation in 1959 and made her 'First' and 'Final Profession' in 1961 & 1966 respectively.
According to the news-source received from Sr Carola, CJ, the spokesperson, Sr Celestine has served the Church, the Congregation and the people of North India in places such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Patna, Mumbai, Jhansi and a number of mission stations in and around U.P. She was a teacher by profession but also worked as a social worker. Sr Celestine rendered valuable services as Teacher, Head Mistress, Principal, Superior of Community and as a social worker.
Sr Celestine was a deeply committed religious and stands out as a true missionary. She tried every means to bring Catholics to deeper faith, visiting Catholic families regularly, teaching Catechism to children and adults, preparing them to receive the sacraments and inspiring them to remain firm in their faith. She indeed was a true missionary who, despite biting cold and scorching heat could be seen going out on a cycle to visit the sick, the old and the needy.
Sr Celestine had great love and compassion for the poor and reached out to them constantly. Wherever she worked as a teacher or Principal, she made sure that education was available to the poor and the outcasts of the Society by starting outreach schools for them. With the help of the affluent parents of children in the big English Medium Schools, she made medical care and help available to them.
Sister Celestine remained active till the very end. She was a member of the community at Ghazipur (Varanasi diocese) during the last few months. A few days ago she complained of breathlessness and weakness and the community rushed her to Allahabad and admitted in Nazareth Hospital on 26th August. Medical aid could not help her much and she even suffered a cardiac arrest. She was taken to M.I.C.U. and put on ventilator.
From :
Fr Gregory D' Souza (Diljyoti, Allahabad)
C/O Bishop's House
32, Thornhill Road
Allahabad - 211 002 (U.P.)
Contact no: 0532-2623794, 2622557, 09454133225