Sister Mary Sushila

January 31, 2015

Sister Mary Sushila ND 4969 ⇒ PDF Download
(Sosamma Mathew Paikada)

Our Lady of the Assumption Province, Patna

Date and Place of Birth:      March 5, 1932     Trivandrum, Kerala
Date and Place of Profession: December 19, 1957  Jamalpur, Bihar
Date and Place of Death:      January 31, 2015   ND Provincial House, Patna
Date and Place of Funeral: February 2, 2015   ND Provincial House, Patna

Sr. Mary Sushila SND was the second youngest among the six children of Mr. Mathew and Mrs. Mary Mathew in Trivandrum, Kerala. Born in a traditional, devout, catholic famiily, steeped in firm faith, early in life she imbibed from her parents, devotion to duty, values to live by and virtues that would guide her through out her life.

While studying at St. Mary’s Primary and High School in Bharanaganam she had the joy of meeting Rt. Rev. Augustine Wildermuth S.J., the then Bishop of Patna who inspired her to be a missionary. As a student at Assumption College Changanasery she met Sr. Mary St. Thomas, SND, and Sr. Mary Magdela, SND. This meeting became the decisive moment for her to answer her deep desire to be a missionary in North India. She arrived in Jamalpur, Bihar along with five other valiant young girls on July 11, 1954. The hand of God was visibile in the early stages of her formation as she struggled with the language, culture, food and climate of North India. She accepted this challenge joyfully and made her profession of vows.

After her first profession in 1957, Sr.Mary Sushila spent several years as a committed and caring teacher in Jamalpur, Munger and Patna. Her compassionate heart enabled her to go beyond the formal classrooms and reach out to people at the peripheries, touching the hearts of many in Sasram, Patna and even in Katmandu. She endeared herself in her own unique ways to all those who came into contact with her, especially the down trodden and the less privileged. We remember her as a vivacious, capable, dynamic and courageous sister, for ever willing to venture out into the unknown and untrodden areas. She found apostolates that touched her heart like: Prison Ministry, De-Addiction ministry, pastoral, and social ministries to mention a few. It was she who went on a bicycle to the rag pickers, gathered them and taught them – using interesting teaching aids, and motivated them to join regular school.

In her advanced age it was difficult for her to venture out. Yet she remained a true missionary at heart. During the last few years she was a graced companion to all of us and contributed much to the community. Her cheerful endurance of pain and suffering has touched all those who visited her and all who looked after her during her last days. She remained witty and cheerful till she breathed her last on January 31, 2015 at 10: 30 p.m. We rejoice with her as she is now freed from all infirmity and is united with her Redeemer.

May she rest in peace.