Sr. Candida Chovattukunnel

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.” (Psalm 116:15) God’s people are precious in His eyes, both living and dying; for whether they live, they live unto the Lord; or whether they die, they die unto the Lord. (Rom.14:8) Having been accomplished the plan and designs of God in her earthly sojourn, Sr. Candida was summoned by the Lord to His side to receive the much deserved crown of righteousness on Wednesday, 8th Nov. 2017, at 09:00 a.m. at Mariampur Hospital, Kanpur. Our beloved Sr. Candida surrendered herself to God’s will, bid farewell to us, and has gone to her eternal abode with him. Sr. Candida was born as the eldest of eight children to Mr. Joseph and Aleyamma Chovattukunnel on 6th Oct.1938 at Teekoy, in the Diocese of Palai , Kerala . The little girl was Christened as Elizabeth, and received the name Maria Candida in religious life. She was blessed to be born in a traditional Christian family of God- fearing parents. She has had 2 brothers and 5 sisters. Srs. Carmelita and Anisha UMI of Amala Province, Kerala, Sr. Marietta UMI of sacred Heart Province are her first cousins. After High School studies, Sr. Candida joined the missionary Congregation of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate at Kannur in Kerala in the year 1957. She made her first profession in 1960 after the initial formation, did her studies in Montessori Training in Delhi, and made her final commitment in the year 1965. Sr. Candida carried out her responsibilities in various capacities as dedicated teacher, community animator, Boarding in charge and rendered loving services in socio-pastoral ministry. She rendered her dedicated and valuable services in different communities of ours in various parts of India and abroad. She began her Teaching ministry at Ursuline convent Kannur in 1960. Then she came to North India and continued her services at St. Mary’s convent Bazpur, St. Joseph’s Convent Chakeri, St. Patrick’s convent Jaunpur, and she received her missionary call in 1980 and offered her selfless services in Italy, Rome from 1980 to’85. After returning from Rome she rendered her services in Ursuline convent Kannur, Good shepherd Convent Vythiri, St. Patrick’s Convent Jaunpur, Seva Sadan Anuppur, Snehalaya Jhansi and Prem Dham Gajrola. In 2004 , she was again missioned at Generalate Rome and she rendered her generous services there till 2006 and returned to India, due to ill health. After returning from Rome she served in the communities of Mariampur convent Kanpur, St. Joseph’s convent Robertsganj, Ursuline convent Goalpara and last came to Mariampur convent in 2011. Sr. Candida was a person of prayer, deep faith and commitment, with a self- sacrificing and very hard working nature. She was very generous and full of missionary zeal that she gave her best in whatever she was entrusted with and was ever ready to go to mission land whenever the call came. She had a very loving and compassionate heart towards the poor and the sick. She was very friendly, sociable, jovial and vibrant. Her love for her students is commendable and they loved her much. She was highly diabetic and was suffering from it for more than 30 years. She was also a cancer patient. Her health condition was deteriorating and hence she was admitted in the Mariampur hospital on 30th March 2017. Lately she was diagnosed as suffering from Tubercular-Meningitis. She was under the loving care and supervision of sisters, nurses, and doctors of Mariampur Hospital Kanpur. Gradually her health continued to deteriorate and was administered the anointing of the sick on 7th Nov. by Fr. Sebastian Francis, the parish priest of St. Xavier’s Church, Kanpur. She suffered generously without any complaint, always with a cheerful and smiling face. She offered her sufferings and pains for her beloved family, congregation, Church and the world. During the period in the hospital, she was always found serene. On 8th Nov. at 9:00 a.m. surrounded by the sisters praying for her, she breathed her last in Mariampur Hospital. The funeral service took place on 9th Nov. 2017 at 10:30 a.m.at Mariampur convent chapel. Most Rev. Raphy Manjaly, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Allahabad was the main celebrant of the Eucharistic Celebration along with other priests of the Allahabad diocese and a few priests from Banaras Diocese. After the Holy Mass and prayers, the funeral procession moved to Lal Kurthy cemetery, Kanpur, where her body was laid to rest along with other sisters who have gone before her. A special gratitude to Most Rev. Raphy Manjaly, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Allahabad, for availing himself to offer the funeral Mass and for the inspiring homily. Sincere thanks to Fathers from the Diocese of Varanasi and the fathers of Allahabad Diocese specially, Fr. Sebastian Francis, the parish priest, Fr. Rajesh Simon and Fr. George Madathikuzhiyil who made themselves available at all time, for the spiritual guidance and administering sacraments to Sr. Candida. Let us pray that Sr. Candida who went ahead of us to the heavenly shore intercedes for us, to her beloved Lord, to bless her family and our beloved congregation, the Church and the world with his choicest graces and blessings.