SR. ANSELMA THOMAS

Sr. Mary Anselma (Teresa Thomas) was born on 4th October 1938, of devout Christian Parents – Thomas and Claire of Madathiparambil Family, in Champakulam, Alleppy District, Kerala. She was the 3rd of the 7 children and from childhood itself she began taking responsibilities in the family. The evening prayer and Rosary were very important,
where everyone in the family was required to be present. She zealously participated in parish activities from an early age; no wonder she had such fine religious sentiments. She had her primary and high school education in her native village of Champakulam. As a high school student, she taught catechism in the parish school. She was strong in her faith
with frequent attendance for the sacraments and other para liturgical services.

Her faith life prompted her to listen to the RNDM Sisters who came to her parish on a vocation tour and without hesitation she joined the Sisters in 1959, who took her to Shillong in Meghalaya along with 13 other girls, to study English and to do Teacher Training in St. Mary’s College.

In 1961 Anselma and 4 others went to Chittagong in Bangladesh for their initial formation together with candidates from Bangladesh and Myanmar. She pronounced her first vows on 5th January 1964 in Chittagong, and as a Junior Sister taught in our schools there. Due to the Chinese Aggression of 1962, the Indian Sisters had to return to India, and from
1966 to 1970 she was in Bangalore doing her Nurse’s Training in St. Martha’s Hospital. She made her Final Vows on 2nd July 1970, at St. Joseph’s Convent, Shillong.

Sr. Anselma was a very zealous missionary, after the example of Euphrasie Barbier, our Foundress. She was popular in every parish where she worked, as she was regular in reading at the Mass, distributing Holy Communion, visiting families and the sick, and she enjoyed doing these. She was well appreciated and sought after by the priests and parishioners. She was an outgoing and friendly person and she would be in the forefront for any social or group activities. She had great leadership qualities and was very good in relating with anybody, either an official or a simple labourer, and was willing to help out and go an extra mile for the sake of others.

Sister Anselma’s ministry took her to places like Haflong in Assam, Mariam Niketan Convent in Belvai, Mangalore, Preshitha Matha Convent in Kollam and Mariam Nivas and Mariam Nilaya Convents in, Bangalore. In most of these places she set up dispensaries, attended to the sick and conducted delivery cases with diligence and competence. When there were no hospitals or medical facilities nearby, patients, especially pregnant women flocked around the dispensary. She was very accurate in diagnosis and administration of the needed medication. True to her medical profession, she would take care of the Sisters when they were sick, and take them to hospital or treat them at home. The simple people sought after Sister and was very happy to receive treatment from her healing hands. She gave 20 years of service in Benzigar Hospital, Kollam, so much so, the people of Mangad, Kollam particularly the poor, would always seek her assistance for admission and treatment in the hospital where she worked.

Sr. Anselma was one of the pioneers of Mariam Nilaya Convent, which was founded in 1972. She started the dispensary and maternity home, and she has delivered over 100 children in Banaswadi itself. She left Banaswadi in 1977, and was back from 2012 – 2015, this time more involved in the parish apostolate and visiting families. She was a friend of many parishioners. With more medical facilities available, and the number of hospitals increased, our dispensaries were closed, but Sr. Anselma did not sit idle. She was kind hearted and always listened to the problems of people and tried to be of help whichever way possible and thus became a social and pastoral minister.

Sister Anselma was the animator of different communities and discharged her duties with devotedness. She was frank and fearless and approached the authorities whenever that was needed and that too, with success. She would see through anything that was entrusted to her, in fidelity. In her years of retirement Sister was active in pastoral ministry, taking
communion to the sick, taking patients to the hospital, Sunday School headmistress etc.

As Anselma’s health began to be a cause of concern, she was transferred to Mariam Nilaya Convent in June 2022, for rest and treatment. She had been undergoing treatment and was admitted to St. John’s Medical College Hospital a few times. The last was in July 2023. The sacrament of the sick was administered in the hospital. Sister’s family and relatives visited her and that brought a smile to her pained face. Anselma wanted to be in the convent, and was brought home on 13th July and that made her happy.

Gradually her health deteriorated and she was semi-conscious for about a month. From 13th Sept. she could not retain food. On 14th Sept. Fr. Joseph, our parish priest, administered the anointing of the sick. There was no response from her from the 14th. We had prayers with her and accompanied her very closely.

On Friday, 15th Sept. around 2 pm, Sr. Anselma opened her eyes, made some signs of restlessness, breathed three times, and peacefully surrendered her soul to her Divine Master. Her body was transferred to the novitiate chapel and Sisters and novices took turns to pray in the chapel. On 16th morning Fr. Joseph celebrated Holy Eucharist in the chapel. Sisters from different communities and her family members arrived by noon. The funeral service began at 3 p.m., Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. KC Sebastian SDB, Rector of Don Bosco Provincial House, and concelebrated by other 5 priests, including Fr. Bijoy, nephew of Sr. Anselma. Sr. Amala gave introduction to the Mass, and Sr. Flavy expressed gratitutde to all who helped us. The last rites were performed by Fr. Joseph Fernandes, our Parish Priest and the body was laid to rest by 4.30 pm.
May her soul rest in peace.