“I can do all things with the one who gives me strength.” – Philip 4:13
We look upon life as a gift from God .we do nothing to earn it. When the time comes to give it back, we have no right to complain. Death, the inevitable reality of life sneaks in, to take one to the abode of God, the eternal reward promised, for his beloved. God’s ways are incomprehensible and we stand in perfect submission before His sacred designs. Our dear Sr. Lucian was very warmly welcomed by the Heavenly Father at 5.15 am on the 26th of July, after about three weeks of intense suffering.
Sr. Lucian was born to Mr. John and Mrs. Annamma on 18th November in 1942 at Marangattupally in Kerala. She has twelve siblings of whom, three are religious and two sisters are in our Congregation. Sr. Lillian and Sr. Callista. She was nurtured in deep faith and Christian values by her family. Having completed her higher secondary, Sr. Lucian entered the Congregation of the sisters of the Cross in 1959. Her vocation sprouted from her beloved mother who instilled in her the values to be a grateful person and reading the story of St.Tresa of Child Jesus and other Saints. Sister made her First Profession in the year 1963 and Final Profession in 1969.
Sr. Lucian completed her graduation in medicine from St. Johns Medical College, Bangalore and her post graduation from SAT Trivandrum. She did her clinical fellowship in pediatrics in London in 1989 and DTCH from University of Liverpool. Sister also did her fellowship in HIV medicine in the year 2007.
Sr. Lucian has served the Congregation and Church in various capacities. From 1978 to 1990, she was gynecologist and medical superintendent at Batlagundu hospital, Provincial councillor from 1980 to 1986 and Provincial Superior of Madurai Province from 1990 to 1996. As a Provincial Superior, she not only animated and empowered sisters to live their religious life, but also discovered new vistas to spread apostolic service. Her interest and enthusiasm to reach out to the needy is evident especially in the Delegation of Latin America where poverty, slavery and terrorism were rampant. Her timely visits, encouragements and accompaniment in the missionary journey of the pioneers in Latin America motivated them to surmount all the challenges and struggles and to move forward.
She continued her practice as gynecologist and Medical Superintendent at Batlagundu thereafter till 2006. She was instrumental in making the Leonard Hospital at Batlagundu grow from a 25 bedded village dispensary to a full-fledged Hospital of three hundred beds with various facilities. Sister was the Delegation Superior of Kerala – Karnataka in the year 2007 to 2008 and was transferred to vilakudy as gynecologist and Medical Superintendent till 2010. Sr. Lucian was the National President of Sister Doctor Forum India from 2010 to 2016. Her dream had been repositioning of Health Care Mission in India by collaboration and coalition of Christian Mission Hospital, the larger ones supporting the smaller ones, the flourishing ones upholding the fading ones within the Congregation Sectors. The last mission was at Malur as director and gynecologist till she took ill on July 2nd.
In all these years she proved to be a great visionary, was daring to take challenges, to find vistas to spread the apostolic services according to the signs of the times. She was at forefront to make things happen, her leadership ability was commendable. She was very professional, always kept abreast with medicine in her practice. She was passionate to heal the sick and suffering and with a Divine fire in her heart she made her dreams come true be it in getting funds for the inmates of Asha Bhavan, in the making of St. Mary’s Hospital from scratches, her age was just a number for her, wrote so many projects to give life to the ministries. She was always goal oriented and focused on the Charism. Her belongingness to the Congregation was awe inspiring, gentleness and calmness was her hallmark, she was a community person and fostered team spirit. She was a voracious reader. She did her mite during covid time though sitting in her room, she was instrumental in getting aids to serve the covid patients and the covid affected.
She has received many awards for her meritorious service in the healing ministry from various institutions, to mention few, received certificate of excellence in rural health care from St. Johns Medical College, 1998, great achiever of India from front for National progress in 1999, Doyen of medical profession in recognition of outstanding service in the society from Indian medical association, Dindigal branch in 2005. Sister Doctor Mary Glowery JMJ Award from St. John’s Medical College Alumini Association in 2016.
The life of Sr. Lucian, was tossed in the hands of God twice, one in the year 2000 when she had rupture of cerebral aneurism- miraculously cured with intracranial surgery and another cardiac attack she survived in 2019.she was a person of unconditional forgiveness, love, compassion and had deep trust in the person of Jesus. She was always grateful and joyful.
Dear Sr. Lucian you were the beacon of light that shone bright for many. You were an instrument in God’s hands to impart health and life to the full. You were an epitome of kindness and love. Always open to fresh ideas and innovation to make progress. You have run the race relentlessly for Gods people and passed on the baton of excellence by being an inspiration to many minds. You will always have a lasting impression in our lives. May you enjoy the paramount state of happiness in the presence of Abba Father and heavenly choirs.
Though we miss Sr. Lucian we know in the depth of our hearts, she is wrapped up in eternal light intercedes for us. We know that in His will is our peace. I add here the writing of Sr. Lucian as I conclude…
Looking back with contentment
Looking forward with commitment
Let me take off with wings of fire.
May God be praised!
Sisters of Holy Cross Seva Sadan, Malur
Province of Angamaly.
