Edification Letter

My dear Rev Mothers and Sisters,

It is with deep sorrow and heartfelt feelings that I communicate the sad demise of our beloved sister Maria Josefa of the Saviour on 9th September 1987 at 3:00 AM surrounded by all of us. She was 88 years old of which 54 she spent in Carmel. She was born in Madrid on 31st August 1899 in a very holy Catholic family from very pious parents. She had several brothers and sisters and their parents took all the troubles to give them a splendid Catholic education, who themselves being living models in the exercise of all the Christian virtues. Our good sister had ever in mind as a present from God the love and union whichever reigned in their family and we could notice in her virtues of humility, charity and self-abnegation. Our sister lived in an atmosphere of peace and union fully dedicated to the apostolic works among the poor instructing them in Christian doctrine and helping the Marian association. She had the great privilege of having her spiritual director the lately beatified Fr Rubio SJ whom she venerated as a living saint, whose intercession she was asking in every need with great confidence. She rejoiced greatly at the news of his beatification.

In 1933, she entered the Camel of El Escorial and made her profession on 11th October 1934. It was about this time; civil war broke out in Spain. And almost all the religious communities were dispersed. The major part of the Carmel of El Escorial took refuge at the house of our sister, whose parents were great friends of them. Here they had the Blessed Sacrament reserved, with Holy Mass and communion, reciting the divine office regularly and leading the life of observance in the best way possible. At this time, they began to hear off many dangerous rumours concerning their stay in this house. So, they were planning to escape. Before realising this, they were submitted to a detailed registration and the end of which sister Maria Josefa was arrested and was taken to the Careeles de Las Ventas, where she remained without any communication with the community for 42 days, that is still the end of the civil war. During her imprisonment, many were her trials and sufferings which cannot be explained here. When she was set free, she joined with her community and took refuge in the Carmel of Salamanca where they were received by the Mothers with the greatest charity. As it is clear that she could not makes her solemn profession at the proper time under this said circumstances, preparations were made and on 31st May 1938 she made her solemn profession in the hands of her Mother Prioress Madre Mercedes del Nino Jesus de Praga at St Joseph’s Convent, Salamanca in the presence of both the communities.

Before taking possession of their convent El Escorial, our Lord took to Himself their beloved Mother Prioress. When they reached the convent, they found it all in great disorder being used by the soldiers according to needs and conveniences. We can imagine how it would have been. They had much work to bring it to the form of a convent.

In the year 1949, we asked for an organist for our community and she responded with great generosity and cam with Mother Rosario Teresa of Jesue of the Carmel of Penaranda who came for the Carmel of Kottayam. Since she reached the beginning of this foundation, she had to undergo many trials and hardships. She sacrificed herself being an example to all especially to the newcomers. Being first in all, the humble and hard works of the house where such occasions were in great abundance, and we all of us remember her with great love and gratitude for all what she has done for us spiritually and materially. She has done the offices of Subprioress, counsellor, sacristan, laborera etc. Whatever work she did, she did it well and neatly.

We know very little of her life in the world and of her family as never she used to speak of herself or of her family. The only thing she related to us about herself was the horrors she suffered during her arrest and imprisonment as said above. Though with the change of climate, food etc naturally she had to suffer much, there was no a complaint from her, trying to accommodate herself to everything with a great spirit of mortification and self-denial. Her capacity for suffering was extraordinary. Once coming down the steps she slipped and fractured her thigh bone and she did not give any importance to it and did not allow us to call the doctor. She passed 2 weeks with it and seeing her walking with difficulty, we called the doctor against her will. The doctor was really surprised at her patient endurance of such intolerable sufferings. She was put in plaster for 2 months and even the doctor was doubting about its complete cure. But she recovered and able to attend all the community acts and followed doing all kinds of work. In 1984, on October 27th she had the happiness of celebrating her Golden Jubilee of Religious Profession.

Her greatest devotion to Our Blessed Mother, from whom she obtained all the graces she needed by reciting Hail Marys and making others also pray the same. She was greatly devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and our father St Joseph.

She had been blessed with the memory all through her life and used to relate to us many interesting saying and things of her old experience and life except anything concerning herself. Towards the end of her life, she began to fail little by little her splendid memory and became like a little child always singing, praying and walking about in a happy mood.

On 28th August, our sister fell sick due to old age and was fully bed ridden till the last. The doctor was called and was given all the medical attention though he could not do much. She suffered a lot during these 2 weeks. On 29th August, at 9:00 PM she received the anointing of the sick from our Chaplain Rev Fr Joseph Kochuparambil. The following 2 days also, she received Holy Communion though she had much difficulty to swallow. From 8th September morning, she was almost in agony and we were near her making the recommendation of the soul and praying for the agonising. She lingered on till 9th and while we all were near her, she gave up her precious soul into Hands of her divine spouse at 3:00 AM.

By morning, she was prepared and laid in the choir for the public. Though she was a missionary religious from Spain, many were the priests, religious and seculars who came to pray for her. Even pagans came to the grate to see her and to pray to her. The funeral and burial took place on 9th September at 3:30 PM. The funeral Requiem Mass was presided by Very Rev Fr Peter Thuruthikonam, administrator of our diocese. 14 Fathers concelebrated of whom 10 were Carmelites. Our fathers were of great help in singing and conducting the funeral ceremony.
Deep is our gratitude to all the priests, religious and all those who cooperated with us on this occasion especially to our doctor Thomas Varghese who treated her with great solicitude to the very end.

Even though we hope in God that our good sister is enjoying the fruit of her well-merited life, we humbly beg all our mothers and sisters to apply all the suffrages according to our constitutions and whatever your generosity will inspire for the repose of her soul. Our good sister who was always very grateful and could never be outdone in generosity will most certainly repay you from heaven.

With deepest sisterly love and gratitude
I remain humbly yours in Jesus and Mary
Mary of the Infant Jesus
Prioress

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