Sister Mary Marcian of the Blessed Sacrament
Maiden Name : Philomena Margaret Emilda Carvalho
Native Place : Trasi
Parish : Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Ganguli
Diocese : Udupi Diocese
Institute No. 1279
Set me as a seal upon your heart;
As a seal upon your arm.
(Song of songs 8:6a)
The bride of Christ burnt the oil of love in the lamp of her religious life. The lamp was shining bright. In life's thurible she put her grains of prayer, sacrifice and suffering and the sweet odour rose daily towards the throne of God. The Divine Bridegroom was on His way to claim His masterpiece. The bride heard His footsteps at her bed side. Earthly dawn had turned into day and it was 8.05a.m in the mystery of time to merge in the embrace of the Beloved Lord.
Sister Marcian's personality was such that she held her head erect and walked straight with dignity. Like Rabindrnath Tagore she exclaims "What power is there in this world to rob me of my freedom? For do not thy arms reach the captive through the dungeon walls, bringing unfettered release to the soul? And must I cling to this body in fear of death as a miser to his barren treasure? Has not this spirit of mine the eternal call to thy feast of everlasting life?"
Here is the life portrait of Sister Marcian's earthly sojourn. She hailed from Muvatthumudi, Gangolii Parish, Udupi Diocese. Her mother rejoiced when she cried on 10th June 1941 for the first time. She was the eldest child of Mr. Joseph Carvalho and Mrs. Anna Mary Gracious. On her family tree there were eight fruits, four boys and four girls. The Baptismal waters were poured on her in the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Gangolli naming her Philomena Margaret Emilda Carvalho. Home as well as the Parish was the sacred places where she learnt to pray and imbibe Gospel values. Her parents were loving and God fearing who never failed to bring up their eight children in true Christian faith, discipline, truth, and honesty. After finishing her High School studies she joined St. Ann's Teachers Training Institute at Mangaluru.
As the seed of vocation germinated in the fertile soil of her heart while at the Training Institute she read the Lord's invitation "Come and see; Come close enter, face the reality you have been called to meet". Yes, Lord she nodded. After getting the results she disclosed her secret to her parents. But her father said "Emmy, work for two years and then go" as she was the eldest child. Her reply to her father was "Papa, God will take care of you". Faith in God gave direction and purpose for her life. Hence she bade good bye to her family and stepped on to the threshold of St. Ann's on June 15th 1960.In 1963 she committed her life to the Lord and the Church by pronouncing her vows. Her earthly birth took place in a spot where it was surrounded by water, now she was like a tree planted by the side of a divine stream to bear fruit in all seasons.
Obedience summoned her to go to Digwadi where she taught for one year. Thereafter she spent her years rendering her services in various capacities as teacher, minister, choir mistress, community bursar, Superior and Headmistress in St. Mary's, Madonna Convent, Kasargod, Shanthi Nilaya, Nanjangud, Carmel Convent, Pezar, Maria Nilaya, Bidar, St. Joseph's Convent, Kundapur, Yesu Prem Nikethan, Annunciation Convent, St. Agnes Convent, Seva Ashram, Pavur and Carmel Convent, Gangoli, and St. Cecily's, Udupi. She loved to teach Catechism for students and working girls.
In 2013 she was transferred from Carmel Convent Gangoli to St. Cecily's Convent Udupi. In spite of her age and ill health she served as a Sacristan to perfection. She had a very good rapport with her students. The students of her first batch from Najangud heard that she was a Golden Jubilarian. A dozen of them men as well as women who held high posts in society came and celebrated her Jubilee at St. Cecily's. She was a missionary at heart like St. Therese of the Child Jesus. She would pray for priests very specially; the needs of the Church as well as of the entire world would be brought to the forefront in prayer. The habit of reading was such that she would cover the entire paper, Christian Magazines and the Holy Bible. Her heart throbbed at the plight of the poor and the needy. She went to the Kannada Primary School to coach the slow learners daily at morn and at eve. Her zeal was such that she would volunteer to go for SCC meetings, visit the sick, take Holy Communion for the sick and attend celebrations or funerals. She would spend long hours conversing with the Eucharistic Lord. The least thing that was done for her would be returned with sincere gratitude. Life was slowly climbing to its peak and she could sense that her memory was failing rapidly. With the age she had her quota of infirmities. Kindness, patience, tolerance, endurance and charity were the assets that made her life beautiful. Love for her Foundress Mother Veronica made her to volunteer to go for the Sesquicentenary Celebration to Bengaluru where she met almost everyone she knew and loved. On the 6th May morning till they entered the convent gate Sister Marcian was well but suddenly Sister Maria Maisie the Superior and Sister Preethi Crasta who were with her noticed Sister Marcian fainting. They discovered to their utter dismay that she was already getting a stroke. She was shifted at once to Hitech hospital and after the scan shifted to Manipal hospital on doctor's advice. From 6th to May 15th she spoke and ate but on 15th night she had a brain haemorrhage and got into coma. Till the 23rd she was on ventilator and on that evening she was brought to the convent as nothing else could be done for her. From then onwards it was a battle between life and death. She was a helpless 'baby' confined to bed with nasal feeding and cared for in every sense of the word.
It was a furnace of suffering where she was purified like gold, pure gold for her Master. All her family members rallied round her bed heaving sighs too deep for words and offering fervent prayers for her recovery. Sister Maria Alexina being a trained nurse took care of her along with Mrs Celine who served with much love and dedication. Sisters Mabilia, Vimala Paul, Edna Furtado and other sisters from Jayanagar, Sister Rose Agnes, the Assistant Provincial Superior and sisters from our different convents visited her in her bed of pain. The parishioners, A.C.As and her students too came to see her. Dr. T .S. Rao, from Hitech hospital was always at our beck and call. Her relatives Dr. Eric and Elma were such a strong support in every dire need. Our Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca, the Assistant Parish Priest Fr. Vijay D' Souza and Chaplain Fr William Martis often visited and prayed for her. She was anointed thrice when her condition deteriorated.
Dr T. S. Rao had alerted us about her serious condition on 31st July, so we took turns to be at her bedside day and night. The community prayed the Prayer of the Church in her room. On 2nd August as her sister Sister Anastasie and maid Celine were praying at her bed side they noticed that the end was drawing near. At 8a.m. the entire community was by her side offering her to the Lord .At 8.05 a.m. with a deep breath Sister Marcian's soul merged into the divine.
The news of her home going was conveyed to Sister Susheela, the Superior General, Sister Carmel Rita, the Provincial Superior and to all her family members. Her mortal remains were laid out in the convent Chapel by 10.30 a.m. School children, teachers, relatives visited the remains and offered prayers. The funeral was fixed for 3rd August at 3.30 p.m. Sister Carmel Rita, the Provincial Superior and many sisters came to pay their last homage to the person they loved. The Chapel was filled to capacity. The Parish Priest Fr. Valerian Mendonca concelebrated the Eucharist with Fr Jerald Furtado SJ, her student, with five other priests. The celebrant in his homily highlighted the rich life of dear Sister Marcian. After Mass Sister Apoline Baretto on behalf of the community paid a loving tribute through touching words.
Dear Sister Marcian your life was an open book for us to read and emulate. Thank you for your sacrificial life, loving service and companionship. We do miss your prayerful presence in the community.
Adieu, dear Sister, till we meet on the eternal shore. May your place be filled with fervent vocations through your intercession. Enjoy the Kingdom prepared for you from all eternity.
BIO DATA
Name in religion: Sister Mary Marcian of the Blessed Sacrament
Institute No.: 1279
Date of entrance into Postulancy: 15.06.1960
Date of First Profession: 10.01. 1963
Date of Final Profession: 17. 05.1968
Date of Decease: 02.08.2018
Date of Burial: 03.08.2018
Place of Burial: St. Cecily's Convent Cemetery, Udupi.