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Religious Name : |
Sister Mary Vincenza of the Holy Face |
| Maiden Name : | Joyce Emelia May Rego | |
| Religious No : | 843 | |
| Native Place : | Kallianpur | |
| Parish : | Mount Rosary Church, Kallianpur | |
| Diocese : | udupi Diocese | |
| State : | Karnataka | |
| Date of Birth : | 22.05.1930 | |
| Date of First Profession : | 22.05.1952 | |
| Date of Perpetual Profession : | 23.05.1957 | |
| RIP: | 14-01-2024 |
OBITUARY
SISTER MARY VINCENZA OF THE HOLY FACE
INSTITUTE NO.843
"Those who love me with long life I will satisfy them and show them my Salvation"
(Ps. 91:14-16)
"Bravely she held on to a life of many fruitful years;
This shall be her joy and crown without fears".
Sister Mary Vincenza of the Holy Face was born on 22nd May 1930 at Belgaum as the third child among the eight children. Her parents, late Mr. Joachim Vincent Rego and late Mrs. Lucy Grace D’Souza, were devout and caring. She was baptized on 1st June 1930 at Mount Carmel Church, Belgaum and was christened Joyce Emelia May Rego. She received the Sacrament of Confirmation at Mount Rosary Church, Kallianpura, Udupi. Under the nurturing care of God-fearing parents and siblings, Joyce grew up to be a young beautiful maiden with strong Christian values. But in no way was Joyce drawn to the world as she experienced deep within an irresistible attraction to consecrate her life to God. After completing her High School studies at St. Cecily's Udupi in the year 1946, and P.U.C at St Agnes College, Mangalore, she responded to God’s call and joined the Apostolic Carmel in 1949 and made her First Profession in 1952 May 22nd on her birthday and her brother Ladisluas Rego took steps to serve the church through the Society of Jesus. Sr. Vincenza was an inspiration to her nephew Fr. Dionysius Vas SJ. We salute the exceptionally faith-filled Christian families who offered their treasures to God and they in turn whole heartedly gave themselves to love and serve God’s people.
Sister Vincenza’s first transfer took her to Mt. Carmel Convent, Ahmadabad, where she was the Bursar, Minister and Sacristan and taught in KG and Primary School. This was followed by her graduation at St. Xavier's College, Ahmadabad in 1963, B.Ed. in M.S University, Baroda, in 1964 with distinction and her M.Ed. in C.I.E - Delhi in 1966. From 1964 to 1966 she worked as the vice principal and lecturer at Carmel College, Nevem, Goa. She was then transferred to Karnataka State, where she served in the following convents. - St Ann’s, Mangalore, Mary Immaculate, Bangalore and at St Cecily’s, Udupi. Stella Maris, Kotekar. Sr. Vincenza came to Annunciation Convent, Ladyhill in 2013.
As a true daughter of Mother Veronica our founder, she lived a life of prayer, contemplation and zeal in her mission and made obedience a priority in her life. She always obeyed her superiors promptly. Her life was a beautiful testimony to the reality of God and His sufficiency and never sought comfort at any time. She was graceful and contented, without any complaints about any inconveniences. Her vibrant soul was always in deep union with the Lord, her Beloved, with whom she conversed in a personal and affectionate way. Even in her old age, she never missed community prayer till she was confined to bed. She made the Eucharist the center of her life and the source of spiritual strength. She was found in the chapel early morning, ready to begin her day with the blessing of the Lord and visited the Blessed Sacrament several times during the day. Through her life of prayer, she spread the fragrance of joy, peace and love. She lived her community life fervently as long as her health permitted. She would make recreations very lively with her jokes, rhymes, Konkani picnic songs and idiomatic English. Everyone enjoyed her company.
Sister Vincenza, as an Apostolic Carmel Sister, had ample opportunities to develop her God given innate capabilities as also to use them at various levels. The major part of her life i.e. from 1966 to 1992 she spent in St Ann’s where she served as the Professor and Principal for 16 years in St. Ann’s College of Education. During the long years of her stay at St Ann’s, besides her responsibility at the College and even after her retirement, as an elected Councillor, she has served as the Assistant Provincial and as the Secretary, Educational Society. As the Principal of St. Ann's College of Education, she was known to be an efficient, effective, people friendly, loving and humane in her ways. Being self-disciplined and well-organized, she came across as a reputable leader and has inspired everyone with her integrity and compassion. Her values of unrelenting attention to quality and innovative practices in all the disciplines had enabled the teachers to cope up with benchmarking performance. She was indeed the priceless role model as a Principal and administrator and also the most effective teacher of Sciences and Communicative English. The Department of Education, recognizing her efficiency, hard work and dedication in the field of education got the best of her by giving her several important responsibilities. She was the District Commissioner of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, Mangalore Chapter from 1970 to 1998 and she will be dearly remembered by all the Girl Guides of Mangalore.
She was conferred many awards such as:
- B Ed- First rank, Gold medal;
- Research - Problems of Beginning Teachers at the Med;
- Special Services: Honorary work as District commissioner, Guides
- Honorary Director of the Extension service Center
- Membership of Church Bodies - Member-Governing Body of the Catholic Board of Education and Youth Committee.
- Membership of education Bodies - member- Senate Syndicate Academic Council of Mangalore University, Academic Council of Mysore University.
- Member of the State Advisory Board of Secondary Education.
- Member of the Steering Committee for Protection of the Fundamental Minorities Rights
- Member of the Advisory Board of St. Aloysius Evening College
- Member of the Selection Committee for the State and National Awards.
She would work diligently and with utmost careat each of these responsibilities. She was a great PRO and had the capacity to work in harmony with others. And that’s how she built an excellent relationship with all the Colleges of Education and DSERT. She was well versed in the Institutional Planning, and would always emphasize that each of our institutions execute it well ahead of every academic year ensuring good learning at the Institutions. She had such a persuasive tone that none of us would say no to her.
Blessed with many talents Sr. Vincenza gave them back to God multiplying these talents a hundred-fold by using them to the full in His service, radiating His love. She was an embodiment of love, motivation and creativity. Her love, kindness, humility and integrity touched the lives of many who came in contact with her. She is fondly remembered by her past students and student-teachers who occasionally visited her and their visits brought great joy to her. She loved all her family members dearly and always prayed for them. Her sisters Juliet and Jane visited her quite often. She had great admiration for her priest nephews Rev. Fr. Juventius Andrade, CSSR, Rev, Fr. Anil Rego – Diocese of Bombay and Rev Fr. Dionysius Vas S.J. In spite of his busy schedule, Fr. Dian would make it a point to visit his dear aunt from time to time.
Sr. Vincenza was blessed with good health and she didn’t have any illness except for her dementia in the later years. She could attend to her personal work till 2022. Due to her ageing, day by day she grew feebler and moving about became difficult for her, so she got confined to bed and the intake of food became less and less, so also decline in her speech. As the days passed by she gracefully tried to unite with God. A few days back her condition deteriorated and on Sunday 14th January at 5.a.m she peacefully commended her soul to God whom she was eagerly longing to meet.
The Mortal remains of our dear Sister Vincenza was laid out in the Annunciation Convent Chapel Ladyhill at 1.00 p.m. Her family members and relatives, the reverend fathers, sisters of other congregation, AC sisters from local convents, AC Associates, teachers, past students, friends, and parishioners came to pay their last respects to Sr. Vincenza. The requiem mass was offered at 3.30 pm by Fr. Dionysius Vas SJ, Sr. Vincenza’s nephew along with other six priests.
We express our gratitude to Rev. Fr. Dionysius Vas SJ, who was the main celebrant and to all the con celebrants, who prayed for the repose of our dear sister’s soul. We thank Rev. Fr. Benjamin Pinto the Vicar –Urwa Parish, Rev. Fr. Johnson Pereira the Assistant, and Rev. Fr. Henry Sequeira the residential priest, who on hearing of our sister’s demise came immediately to offer their condolence to the sisters. We thank Sr. Maria Nirmalini, our Superior General and her team for their prayerful support to us in our bereavement. Our heartfelt thanks for Sr. Maria Shamita, our Provincial Superior and her team for their strong support, guidance and help. Our sincere thanks to Sr. Pushpa Pinto the infirmarian, Sr. Alexina, the doctors, Nurses and domestic helper Mrs. Mary D’Souza, who were ever ready to help in all her needs and comforted her in her pain. We thank all the Rev. Fathers, Rev. Sisters, ACAs, Sr. Vincenza’s family members, relatives, teachers, students and the parishioners for paying their last respects to the mortal remains of our dear Sr. Vincenza and praying for her during the funeral mass. Our sincere thanks to the Alumnae of St. Ann’s College of Education for their contribution towards the senior sisters of our convent.
Dear Sr. Vincenza, we miss you very much, your naughty talk, your oft repeated stories, smile, your prayerful and silent presence. In your bed of pain and suffering, you were like an angel, no murmur, no hue of sigh or cry but simply a silent prayer went up to God on high, ‘Lord your will be done.’ Yes, when we passed by your room, we knew there was an angel inside silently praying and enduring her pain for us. Indeed, you set an example for us of how to face suffering. Thank you, thank you dear Sister. May you now enjoy eternal bliss. Adieu dear Sr. Vincenza till we meet you in heaven. We love you.
Bio - Data
Name in Religion : Sister Mary Vincenza of the Holy Face
Institute Number : 843
Date of Birth : 22.05.1930
Date of Entrance into Postulancy : 15.07.1949
Date of First Profession : 22.05.1952
Date of Final Profession : 23.05.1957
Date of Decease : 14.01.2024
Date of Burial : 15.01.2024
Place of Burial : Annunciation Convent Cemetery, Ladyhill, Mangalore.
