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Name: Sr. Gabriel Kachapilly
“I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race”
We gather here to bid a fond and loving farewell to our dear Sr. Gabriel Kachapilly who entered into eternity yesterday 24th March 2022 at 10 am. She received the sacrament of the sick before her death and peacefully surrendered herself into the arms of our Almighty Abba Father.
Sr. Gabriel hails from Kerala, God’s own country; she left home at the early age of 15 to give herself totally and unreservedly for God’s mission. Born in 1924, Sr. Gabriel enjoyed her childhood with 5 siblings - 4 sisters and a brother.
Being underage for religious life, her initial formation was delayed but she was soon sent, after her profession, to complete her studies. She was one of our first sisters to be sent to the College of Science, Nagpur, where she graduated in the field of Science. She completed her B Ed. Studies in Jabalpur after which for more than 25 years, she toiled selflessly at St.
Joseph’s High School, Nagpur. She tailored and developed the Science labs and for years on end, those labs spoke volumes of Sr. Gabriel’s scientific mind.
As Principal at SJC, Nagpur, she took a personal interest in helping poor students cope with their tuition fees, purchase books, uniforms and nourishment. Till today, these ex-students are indebted to Sr. Gabriel for enabling them to stand on their feet independently. From Nagpur, Sr. Gabriel took over as Principal of our school in Bhopal where she continued to be a beacon light to all, and in a very special way to the poor. Here too, S.Gabriel left an indelible mark on the lives of those who entered the portals of the school.
She was Provincial Councillor for 2 mandates and Bursar of the province for a short period of time. After retiring from formal ministry, Sr. Gabriel served in various mission communities and later returned to the community at Nagpur, where she humbly served and offered hospitality to those who entered. In her sunset years, Sr. Gabriel moved to Sandhyavan where she spent time in prayer, reading and giving practical advice to those in need. Steeped in a spirit of prayer, faith and commitment to God, Sr. Gabriel stands out as one of those silent saints who lived her community and vowed life in a very committed and transparent manner.
The oldest member of our Nagpur Province, has now returned home at the ripe age of 98, to rest in the loving arms of her Eternal God and share in the communion of our Sister Saints who have gone before us. During her last moments, she expressed the desire to pray, into her ears, the ‘Prayer of Resignation.’ Her family members, including her younger sister, visited her last week; they were delighted to spend quality time with her. The joy was reciprocal. We express our sincere thanks and deep gratitude very specially to our sister doctors, sister caregivers and nurses, our llaborators who tirelessly loved and served her. Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to our sisters in the hospital community for their timely and meticulous care and concern rendered to S. Gabriel. We are grateful to S. Cecile who was always attentive to the needs and care of S. Gabriel for the past 4 and a half years as an animator at Sandhyavan. We thank her and her council for their concern.
We thank Fr. Vianney, who ministered the Sacrament of the Sick to S.Gabriel. We also owe our gratitude to Fr. Sachin and Fr. Prashant for their concern and constant availability.
S. Gabriel, as we wish you a final goodbye, we thank you for the quality of your presence in our midst. You were a silent sufferer and you always affirmed yourself to be fit and fine. This was because you were deeply rooted in faith and prayer. We commend you into the hands of our loving and merciful Father. Thank you for all you have done and achieved,
through your loving service, in the Province and Congregation. May God reward you richly and may you enjoy the beatific vision with all the saints and angels. Your presence at Sandhyavan will be missed but your emories will linger. Thank you Sister Gabriel. Please intercede for us.
