SISTER MARY PIUS SYNGKON

Beatrice Syngkon was born and brought up in a Catholic family at Mookyndeng, Raliang. She was the second eldest child of the twelve siblings. Her elementary schooling was done in her own village at St. Dominic’s. Associated with the lore of the village about the RNDM Sisters who had toiled for the development of the village from 1922 to 1950. She was transferred to the Saint Mary’s High School in 1961. Beatrice’s desire to one day become an RNDM materialized when she completed her matriculation in 1964. Her vocation was tenderly fostered by the sisters especially by Sister Mary Peter Duffy, the legendary Novice Mistress.

Beatrice received the white veil worn by the Postulants on12th September, 1964 and began her novitiate on 2nd July, 1965. Another significant practice was to change the name. Beatrice chose St. Pius X as her new patron saint. Henceforth she was known as Sister Mary Pius from 2ndJuly, 1965. After her first profession in 1967 sister Mary Pius was immediately involved in the ministry of St. Joseph’s Convent, teaching the primary children and studying for her PU Examination as a private candidate. She passed the senior Teachers’ Training Course on 1973 and was then transferred to St. Mary’s Convent to teach in the Primary, supervising the House girls, running Sunday school and studying for BA as a private candidate.

On 2nd January, 1974 she pronounced her Perpetual Vows at St. Joseph’s Convent and  was sent to St.Michael’s ME School, Umsning to be the Headmistress. In1975, she returned to St. Joseph’s as Headmistress of the Primary School, Vocation Promoter and study for the BT (Bachelor of Training) in 1976. Sister attended the coveted Tertianship course in Rome in 1977 and returned to the post as local superior of St. Joseph’s Convent, Shillong in 1978 and replaced Sister Mary Bonaventure as Headmistress of the Secondary section and as Superior as well.

In 1983, when Archbishop Hubert D’Rosario SDB DD approached the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions to help form the candidate of a new Congregation, Sister Mary Pius Syngkon was entrusted with the task of Aspirants’ Mistress. Sister paved the way for the birth of the Visitation Sisters of Don Bosco (VSDB) Congregation.

At different intervals during 1984-1987 Mary Pius received more input to deepen and strengthen her religious life. A fitting versatile instrument made Mary Pius the Principal of the LumJingshai Juniors Teachers’ Training centre at Marbisu from 1985 to1990. Beckoned by need at St. Joseph’s Convent, Mary Pius was once again at the helm of the school in 1991. The conspicuous new millennium year 2000 took Mary Pius to St. Mary’s Secondary School till 2004. Subsequently, in 2005 she became the superior of the Community and was given charge of St. Mary’s LP School as well.

Sr. Pius attended a six months Renewal Course – Pearls of Wisdom held in the Philippines in 2011. It was at that forum the members of the CLT appointed her Province Leader to replace Sr. Biola Shadap who took seriously ill. Sister took over the responsibility in 2012. In the capacity as Provincial she was the ex-officio member to the 27th General Chapter of the Congregation held in January-February 2014 at Hua Hin, Thailand. Sister was also fortunate to witness the post General Chapter EGC meeting held in Vietnam in the same year. When her tenure as Province Leader in May 2015 was over, Sister accepted the responsibility as Superior in St. John Bosco, girls and took charge of the English School Section.

Sister Mary Pius intrepid active service was slowed down by the ailment that required intensive medication. This brought her to St. Mary’s Convent, Laitumkhrah, Shillong, a Convent closer to Nazareth Hospital where she started her treatment. As her ailment deteriorated her energy, she continued her medication in Guwahati. The Guwahati treatment gave her slight power of endurance. Sister had learnt to accept the trial as a process of purification and new phase of life. Sister was grateful to the Province especially the St. Mary’s Community for organizing a memorable Golden Jubilee celebration on the 19th August the Saturday before her feast on the 21st August 2017. The period following the grand Jubilee celebration was followed by days, weeks and months of prolonged treatment.

Reverend Father Pascal Lyngdoh, the Parish Priest gave the Sacrament of the Sick to her, when Sister’s intuitive sense of God‘s call to eternity was nearing. Sister M. Pius wish was to see her relatives and very close friends for the last time. In spite of the present prevailing situation, Sister Superior cautiously satisfied her wish, her sister, brother, nieces and nephews took turns to visit her. On 15thAugust, 2020, Sister got a minor stroke which made her unable to talk. To alleviate her agonizing discomfort, Sister was taken to Super Care Hospital for treatment and was discharged on 20th August 2020.

Sr. M. Pius passed away peacefully on Wednesday, 09 September, 2020, at 1.15 pm. Due  to Covid-19 lockdown there were restrictions on numbers; so a small group of sisters and family members joined the Requiem Mass celebration presided over by Rev. Michael Makri together with three other priests to pray for the repose of the soul of Sr. Mary Pius at 5.30 pm. We pray and hope that her lamp now is burning brightly along with that of Euphrasie and many other RNDMs, family and friends with whom she had shared her life and light.

May Sister Mary Pius Syngkon’s soul rest in peace.