Sisters of Notre Dame…Missioned to Incarnate the Love of our good and provident God

Sister Mary Archana  

Sister Mary Archana              ND 6042            PDF Download

Annie Kaniamparampil

Our Lady of the Visitation Province, Bangalore, India

Date and Place of Birth:             November 17, 1931       Thathampally, Alleppey, Kerala
Date and Place of Profession:   January 06, 1968         Jamalpur, Bihar, India
Date and Place of Death:           July 07, 2024                 Notre Dame Convent, Mysore
Date and Place of Funeral:        July 08, 2024                Notre Dame Convent, Mysore
Date and Place of Burial:           July 08, 2024                SND Cemetery, Hinkal, Mysore

Sister Mary Archana (Annie Kaniamparampil) was the sixth child of 10 children of Joseph and Mary Kaniamparampil in St. Michael’s Parish, Thathampally, Alleppey, Kerala. She completed her high school and college education from St. Joseph’s High School, Alleppey and St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam. She did her Bachelor of Education from Mount Carmel B.Ed. College, Kottayam, Kerala University. She writes in her autography that her parents wished to give their children the wealth of a good Catholic education which became helpful for her future life. She became a teacher and she stayed in a hostel run by Carmelite Sisters. Through the guidance of a priest, she discerned her own vocation to religious life. In 1964, she joined the Sisters of Notre Dame, Patna together with one of her companion teachers (Sister Mary Shobana) to be a missionary in North India.

Since Sister Mary Archana joined the Congregation as a trained teacher, she did not have to go through any formal academic studies. Considering her age and experience, she was admitted to the Novitiate after being a Candidate for one year and six months in January 1966. She did not have much difficulty in mastering English and Hindi, to teach mathematics to the high school students. Being an excellent teacher, she could even get the mathematically dull students also, to pass the subject. She was in active ministry of teaching in various Notre Dame Schools from 1968 to 2000.

In the next phase of her life from 2001 to 2019 she took care of the ministry of finance management and maintenance in whichever community and school she was appointed. She reached out to everyone in community and in schools with joyful simplicity and passion for Christ’s mission. When she entered into the ministry of Prayer and Presence from 2020 till her last breath, she was very alert and active with a sharp memory for details.

She had a special care for the young members of the community and would help them with their studies especially with statistics. She had a knack for creating the most fantastic props required for the many musicals that were staged by the students in all the schools where she taught.

She was eager to move to the newly built Shalom Sadan (Peace House) in 2023 and she was the first occupant here. She faithfully followed the schedule made for the elderly sisters of the community here and followed the instructions of the nurse and other care givers. She spent hours in the chapel praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

During her failing health, she was on oxygen support most of the time and she bore her discomfort heroically. It was her desire to be here in the Convent to surrender her soul to her Lord and Master when the time comes and it was on July 7, 2024 at 4:30 am. May her soul rest in peace. We have lost a great missionary, a true Sister of Notre Dame who lived the Spirit and Charism in a profound way. Her spirit of hard work, enthusiasm and love for life was very contagious. She leaves behind a legacy of love, gratitude, a sense of belongingness, enthusiasm for life, gentleness and peace. Her radiant smile and hearty laughter will still lift our spirits, as she intercedes for us from heaven. She was a rare and priceless gem in the galaxy of God’s Creation. She would tell us not to mourn over her as she has gone to prepare: “In my Father’s house are many rooms… I go to prepare a place for you“. Rest in peace dear Sister Mary Archana and intercede for us.

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