Sister Mary Frances de Chantal

Sister Mary Frances de Chantal was born on 10th  May in Amballoor , Kerala into a good Catholic family. She was the first child of Mr. Mathew Valiyapadikkal and Elizabeth. She had three sisters and four brothers. All her siblings have already predeceased her.

Mary Frances was fondly called ‘Mamma’ grew up in a faith-filled and happy home where Christian values were upheld.   .   This faith was nurtured and nourished by the regular family prayers and Eucharistic celebration. Such upbringing inspired her to become a religious missionary and give herself totally to God.  At an early age, she also learnt to accept and carry out many little responsibilities of family life.

Her desire to be a missionary in a distant land became a reality when she heard from the parish about the arrival of two RNDM missionaries to recruit vocations. She expressed her desire to her parents and begged them to allow her to join the sisters. Although the parting was very painful she was firm in her decision to leave home and family for God and his people.

Her missionary journey began on 28th November in 1932 when she bade farewell to her parents and dear ones and sailed to an unknown land with four other companions to join the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. They arrived in Chittagong on 3rd  December on the feast of St. Francis Xavier. After learning languages and the necessary preparations, she was accepted as a Postulant in 1934.  In 1935, she became a novice and made her first profession on 5th  January

1937, later in 1943 she made perpetual profession in St Agnes convent, Halfong, Assam.

During the 80 years of her religious life, she has given herself completely to God through the various responsibilities entrusted to her with utmost passion and commitment.  She had spent 34 years in Bangladesh, 44 years in Queen of the Missions Park Circus, Calcutta, and two years in Southern India.

She touched many lives with her kindness and compassion.  Sr. Mary Frances lived a God conscious life and that constant awareness of God’s divine presence in her mundane life gave the passion and zest to live her life to the fullest. She had been the power house for – family, sisters, teachers, students, friends and church at large. Her faithfulness to prayer and deep awareness of herself were gifts she enjoyed.

Sr. Mary Frances was a very relational person and always kept in touch with friends, RNDM sisters and her family through letters, personal visits or phone calls. She was always joyful, positive and full of energy. She was natural when called on, to make a speech or entertain. She had the ability to make people comfortable and at home. Her excellent culinary skills and the sense of humours nature made her very popular among people. Her tantalizing meal, snacks, puddings and tarts were simply out of the world. No matter what she prepared Indian or continental the food had such delectable flavours. Truly an extraordinary gift she possessed!  Her sense of humour brought much joy and laughter to people.

Being the eldest child of her parents, she carried special love and affection for her family. She is very fortunate to have some of her family members living in Kolkata. Their regular visits deepened their family bond especially during the years when she was unable to travel and meet other family members.  Even in her last days she was delighted to come to the chapel and dining room in a wheel chair and as always happy to see the sisters, teachers and students, and priests friends.

A few months after her 102nd birthday, Sr. Mary Frances began to grow frail and weak but had no particular medical issues.  Although she was mentally alert she could not verbalise what was going on in her and that was painful for her and for us to understand her needs. We also missed her witty comments and playfulness in the past few months.  However, the sisters did their best to give her the care that she needed and spent time with her.

Sr. Mary Frances looked fairly well till late afternoon on 22 December and from nowhere she developed a breathing difficulty with light fever.  We had hoped that she will fight like other times when she suffered the similar problem.  She had received the anointing of the sick and later sisters and family members stayed around late evening praying for her. Little did we know that God had plans to call her home and very peacefully she passed on to a new life with God.

The Requiem Mass was held on 24th December in Christ the King Parish Church celebrated by Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza the Archbishop of Kolkata, and concelebrated by several priests. Many religious, teachers, students, well wishers and friends attended the service and paid their last respects to ‘ MAMMA’.    We thank our loving God for the beautiful life and mission of Mary Frances who spent 80 years as a true daughter of Euphrasie Barbier

We truly miss her among us but console ourselves that we have another intercessor with God to plead for all of us.  May her memory continue to lead us on to live our commitment to the full joyfully.  All of us will carry some fond memories of Mamma Frances’ love, friendship and hospitality. Thank you Mamma Frances for your love, joy, kindness, deep community spirit, humour and for all the wisdom you shared with us and made us realise the deep missionary spirit and rootedness in prayer which give meaning to a missionary.

As we bid final fare well dear Sister, May our God and Euphrasie Barbier welcome her “home” to enjoy the long awaited peace and happiness. We pray that ‘May Love hold you, peace enfold you; May you rest in God’s arms’.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith” is indeed accomplished in the life of Sr. Mary Frances.