Sr. Philomina Chakramakil

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21: 4) Sr. Philomina who lived nine decades of a fruitful life left her earthly home as soon as she heard the heavenly call of her beloved Lord to receive the crown of glory reserved for her from all eternity on 17th April 2018 at 6. 10 am. Sr. Philomina was born on 21st September 1927 as the 3rd of 6 children to Mr. Mathew & Catherine of Chakramakil family, at Palayoor Parish. After her High School study and Teachers Training Course, she joined as teacher, in St. Mary’s U P School Payyannur at Punchakkad in 1949. She was the boarder in the Convent along with Sr. Mary Metilde They were very much inspired by the missionary spirit and zeal of Rev. Fr. Caironi, Mother Margaret Benocci and team. Hence they joined the Ursuline Convent at Payyambalam in 1952. Sr. Philomina who started her service after her First Profession from 1955 in Punchakkad Convent, School and orphanage later became the Superior and Headmistress. After Mother Margaret, Sr. Philomina was entrusted with the care of the girls of the ‘Baby’s Room’ and of the ‘Girls Home’ and she fulfilled her responsibilities to the best of her ability and she was called their “AMMA”. After her retirement she rendered her service in Kokkanissery and Trivandrum. Then she came back to Punchakkad in 1997. From 2010 onwards she was taking rest at Brigida Bhavan, Calicut, where she spent hours together before the Blessed Sacrament. Sr. Philomina’s 90th birthday was celebrated by her daughters of ‘Girls Home’ and their families last year in Brigida Bhavan. Their group is named as “Ursuline Flowers”. From the First week of April she was admitted in ICU and the Anointing of the Sick was administered by Rev.Fr.Shyam Kumar MMI, the Assistant Parish Priest, Holy Redeemer Church, Marikunnu, and was discharged. On 17th of April 2018 her condition became worse and she breathed her last due to Cardiac Arrest. Sr. Philomina’s Mortal remains were brought to the Chapel of Brigida Bhavan and all our Sisters gathered around and spent the whole night in prayer. Few of her family members from Calicut joined to pray for the dear departed. I am grateful to Most Rev.Dr.Varghese Chakkalakal, Bishop of Calicut, who found time to offer special prayer and spoke few words in praise of her. Msgr. Thomas Panackal, the Vicar General, presided over the Mass along with Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kulangara, the Parish Priest of Holy Redeemer Church, Marikunnu, Rev. Fr. M. K. George S.J, Provincial Superior, Kerala Jesuit Province were among the Priests who concelebrated the Holy Mass at Brigida Bhavan, Calicut. Sr. Philomina’s body was brought to Kannur and was placed in the chapel and Office Prayer was recited by Rev. Fr. Martin Mathew, the Assistant Parish Priest, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kannur. The whole night prayers were offered by sisters and her own daughters - the Ursuline Flowers. A note of deep gratitude to our Lordship Most Rev.Dr. Alex Vadakumthala, Bishop of Kannur, who concelebrated the funeral Mass along with 14 other Priests. The Bishop in his homily highlighted the meaning of her name – ‘Philomina’ ‘Philo’ means ‘love’ and ‘mena’ means ‘strong’, recalling that she strongly loved the poor. After the Holy Mass, the funeral procession moved to the Holy Trinity Cathedral Cemetery. My heartfelt thanks to Msgr. Antony Pius Edezhath, who led the last rite and gave the blessing. May OUR HEAVENLY FATHER reward Sr. Philomina for all her good deeds on earth!