Sr. Germaine Panackal

Gone from us that smiling face The cheerful pleasant ways The heart that won many friends… A life made beautiful by kindly deeds… A helping hand for others needs… Sr. Germaine lives in the shelter of the Most High, He covers her with His feather. His faithful promises are her armour and protection. Yes, she has gone to experience the eternal protection of her beloved Spouse. She left this earthly home on 5th January 2017 at 7.40 pm. from Nirmala Hospital, Calicut. Sr. Germaine was born as the 4th of 10 children to late Mr. Mathew and Mariamma of Panackal family on 21st July 1944 at Kanjirappally, Kottayam, Kerala. She was christened as Thresiamma Mathew and received the name Germaine in religious life. With the great desire of serving God, she joined the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate at Kannur on 6th July 1968, pronounced her first vows on 2nd January 1972 and final vows on 15th May 1977. Sr. Germaine is always remembered not just because she loved, but she lived. And her life gave us beautiful memories, never to forget, but to live. She lived in most of our communities, faithfully involved in the household activities. She rendered her services not only in India but also in Italy. The assigned places were Alghero and Rapallo in Italy and Pambra, Calicut, Vizhinjam, Trivandrum, Ambalapuzha, Pariyaram, Trikarpur, Vilayancode, Punchakkad and Kundannur in India. She set aside everything for the glory of God; because she was a prayerful person. People felt consolation and happiness through her encounter. She had great faith which can even move the mountains. Therefore, she believed and asked God for the needs of the world and it has been given to her by the Lord. Many have experienced this favor and always asked her to pray for them. She had serene face and beautiful smile always, even in the midst of difficulties and problems. She loved the nature very much. She was hard working and did everything cheerfully. Many admired her for her memory power; because she remembered the years, dates, persons, even after many years. It helped her to have good rapport with people and sisters. On 28th December 2016 she had gone home for her nephew’s ordination. There she had a fall due to High B.P that resulted in brain hemorrhage and was taken to medical college, Pariyaram. She was in the ICU with ventilator at Pariyaram where she was given good care. She was given the Anointing of the Sick by Fr. Santhosh William, the Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier, Pariyaram. She was shifted to Nirmala Hospital, Calicut after seven days on 4th January 2017 accompanied by Srs. Karuna and Suni George. There was no sign of improvement, her health was deteriorating and finally breathed her last on 5th January 2017 at 7.40 pm. The unexpected death of our Sr. Germaine was a shock for all of us. I was beside her along with our sisters praying when she took flight to heaven. Her mortal remains were taken to Brigida Bhavan and the sisters of both the communities kept vigil and had Holy Mass at 5’o clock in the morning by Rev. Fr. Regi SJ, Rev. Msgr. Thomas Panackal, Vicar general of Calicut Diocese and Fathers from Christ hall paid homage to her. Her mortal remains were brought to Ursuline Convent, Kannur at 6.30 a.m. All the sisters of our Provincial House and other communities along with her religious sister Thomasina and her relatives were present to receive the mortal remains of Sr. Germaine. The funeral rites began at 11 a.m. by Rev. Msgr. Devassy Earathara, the Vicar General of Kannur Diocese, along with her nephew Rev. Fr. Biju OSB and other priests. Msgr. Devassy Earathara consoled the family members in his funeral oration, saying that “Sr. Germaine has given spiritual birth for many children and God has adorned her like lilies of the field. She sacrificed her life for many and led the people to God’s love”. After the Mass, prayer and blessing we went in a procession to the Holy Trinity Cathedral Cemetery, Burnassery.