Pioneers
The Pioneers
Fr.Varghese Payapilly was chosen and deputed by God the Father in His eternal wisdom to found the Congregation of Sisters of the Destitute’ to continue the mission of channelizing His love and compassion to the poor and the suffering. God Himself chose and instilled the spirit of compassion in the young virgins too whom He had destined to be the pioneers, the corner stones of SD. The pristine spirit of SD is the religious life rooted in Gospel values as transmitted by its Founder venerable Fr.Varghese Payapilly and reflected in the pioneers. The spirit and inspiration transmitted through their lives and teachings are handed over to the future generations in its vigour and vitality. So let us have a close look at the life and spirit of the pioneers
Sr. Josephina (1896-1977)
Nobility in lowliness was her hall mark
Sr. Josephina (Thresia) daughter of Ouseph and Aley of Kuppiyil Edakala family was born on 10 January 1896 at Kizhakambalam. She is the first member of SD. Even when she chose a life of utter poverty without any financial security her mind remained firmly rooted in the simple faith received in baptism, She prayed for hours fixing her inner gaze on the Lord in the Eucharist. This meditation enabled her to grow in lowliness and simplicity. She was quite contented with what she was and what she had. Her dealings were sincere without any mask. She was deeply touched by the Word of God, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves” (Phil. 2:3), So she led a humble life. The nobility of her lowly life is revealed through her reverential love and humility towards the Superiors.
The Sisters were deeply touched by her empathy and promise of prayers in their difficulties. “Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). This verse greatly influenced Sr.Josephina so as to live her life in the awareness that she was poor and insignificant. Every member of SD has to imbibe this lifestyle from the pioneers. Her broad heartedness is expressed in her concern for the welfare of the Sisters. She was always ready to share with others whatever she received. Her compassionate love extended even to the domestic animals.
The Director, Msgr.George Valliarumpeth has pointed out Sr. Josephina as one of the glorious stars of SD Congregation to the younger generation. Sr.Josephina contributed much for the growth of the Congregation in her fifty years of Religious life. She was satisfied with minimum facilities and simple food, doing the menial and humble works in the convent. She wholeheartedly accepted the changes and adaptations that were made as part of renewal of the Congregation. Her spirit of humility and obedience is remarkable. Her own experience of suffering enabled her to give solace to the poor and the aged in their sufferings, and inspired them to accept their situations in faith. She could bear all the sufferings of life in silence without any complaint. On 12 July 1977 she felt some physical uneasiness. Soon Siaters informed the Parish priest of Chunangamvely Fr.Joseph Punchapudusery, and Fr.Alvaras CMI, and they came and administered the anointing of the sick. While the Superior General Mother Stella, sisters and others were praying around her the holy soul flew off quietly to the heavenly abode.
Sr Cicily (1897-1950)
A glow with asceticim
Sr.Cicily (Aleykuty), daughter of Mr.Anthony and Mrs.Anna Madthiparambil was born in 1897 in Kizhakkambalam. She had a special concern for the poor. She had an earnest desire to respond to the call of Jesus and to live for him. Driven by the inner urge of the love of God she spent many days and nights in fasting, prayer and penance. The other four young virgins who had the same inspiration and aspiration as that of Sr. Cicily, made many attempts to achieve their goal. They survived without losing heart when they failed to attain the desired result since Sr. Cicily stood by their group as their strength and inspiration. Finally the Will of God was revealed favorably through the authorities of the Church. This passionate love, firm faith and confidence enabled her to be faithful to her ideals and to participate in the sufferings of Christ.
She accepted the occasions of humiliations and sufferings with great love. Sr Cicily spent a lot of time on her knees in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, experiencing His merciful love, and shared it with others by words and deeds of love. She worked hard for the the community with a fire of love burning within her. Sr. Cicily imbibed the charism of SD congregation in its totality.
She had a disposition of lowliness as she was fully aware of her nothingness. She considered others greater and more important than herself. As she was mindful of the needs of others, she was ever on the alert to meet even their small needs. No sooner did she come to know someone was sick than she sent succour personally or by someone else. Sr. Cicily was ready to set aside her needs in order to reach out to others, the destitute and the labourers in particular. By bearing the burden of others she made their lives pleasant. She respected the Superiors and was submissive to them.
Her life was aglow with the spirit of austerity, penance, and mortification. She practised frugality and simplicity in her food and clothing. Sr.Cicily had a deep experience of kenosis (self-emptying) when she could not make her perpetual profession along with the others of her batch. However, she accepted it in faith and humility and thus identified herself with Christ, who humbled Himself. Sr.Cicily, the gem of the congregation was shaped in the crucible of suffering with the love of Jesus. On 9 January she completed her oblation of love, fixing her gaze upon the Sacred Host that the Priest held up before her. On hearing the news of her death, Fr.Dominic Koikara announced in the Church at Aluva, “A saintly Sister has passed away at Chunangamvely. It is good for all to pay homage to her”.
Sr. Gertrude (1900-1987)
A magnetic presence of Joy
Sr.Gertrude (Rosa), daughter of Mr.Antony and Mrs.Aley Mazhuvanchery, was born on 15 May 1900 in Kizhakambalam. She was filled with joy because of her sincere love, appreciation and respect for the Congregation. She used to become emotional when she spoke of the Founder, the early days of the Congregation and of the formation rendered to them by the two Carmelite Sisters. She had a tender love towards the Superiors and her fellow Sisters. In the suffering of others, she prayed sincerely like an affectionate mother. Sr.Gertrude was always joyful. She had an innocent heart and practised forgiving love. Even in slight offence she asked pardon immediately. She knelt before Superiors confessing her mistakes and asked pardon. She was a great devotee to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She took great pride in saying with her heavenly patroness st. Gertrude that if Jesus was not in the tabernacle, he would be in her heart. This Christ experience was the source of her joy and forgiving love.
As she always had some health issues, she was exempted from heavy duties. She could spend a lot of time in prayer and inspire others to pray without ceasing. Her conversation at work or at recreation was edifying. She was insistent on doing everything in its perfection. This sense of perfection, punctuality, neatness and cleanliness in her dress etc. were signs of her interiority. Gentle as she was, she had a soft corner for the poor and the destitute. She had a great affection and love for the newcomers to religious life. While interacting with them she shared her faith experiences and initial struggles of SD, encouraging and helping them spiritually. In her last days she used to express her inner aspirations to be united with her beloved Jesus. On 21 July 1987, her divine spouse called His faithful loving Bride to the heavenly abode.
Sr. Kochuthresia (1903-1977)
A Canticle of the Glory of God
Among the first five brave virgins who came forward to build up the Congregation of SD, Sr. Kochuthresia stands out as a person filled with God-given talents and gifts. She was born on 15 April 1903, as the daughter of Mr. Anthony and Mrs.Mariam Ottancherry of Chunangamvely. She was blessed with interior silence, spirit of prayer, lowliness of heart and prudence. With her jovial nature, she made the community happy. She lived in the inner presence of God and shared her Christ experience with her Sisters while at at work or during recreation. She pointed out the shortcomings of others with sincerity and love. Kochuthresia did not have any higher education, but was very intelligent and wise.
She was submissive, obedient and respectful towards her Superiors. Proficient in tailoring and cooking, she trained her younger Sisters in a very skilful manner. She was easily approachable. Her simple lifestyle and spirit of poverty dominated her life. her life. The spirit that the Founder transmitted through her in the service of the sick persons remains as a patrimony to the Congregation for ever. The Christ – experience that springs up from seeing Christ in every sufferer, and the good news of compassionate love radiated through words and acts of love and mercy permeated in SD through Sr. Kochuthresia. Capable of grasping and personalizing anything spiritual and temporal she began to grow in wisdom and holiness. She gained self-discipline by controlling her senses which was evident in her interpersonal relationships. Sr. Kochuthresia used to be keen to observe devotional practices and to follow the daily timetable meticulously and with self-discipline even on her sickbed. Her lowly life went ahead in accordance with the plan of God, with no complaint or preference to anything. She firmly believed in the dictum “Keep the rules, and the rules will keep you.” Even when she underwent a surgery due to her respiratory ailments, the motto “the love of Christ urges us” enabled her to suffer with love.