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| Smiling Missionary of India |
Birth and Childhood
India is famous for
its very ancient "Indus Valley Culture" and strong religious
traditions. World religions like Hinduism, Budhism, Jainism, and Sikhism were
born in India. The epics "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata"
together with the classical scriptural writings of "Vedas",
"Puranas" and "Gita" contribute towards profound religious
and philosophical traditions. India is the biggest democracy in the world and
the second among the highly populated countries. "Himalayas" and
Tajmahal" are tourist attractions. Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the
Nation. Mother Theresa had served the poor in India. Though "Kashmir"
gives a headache and poverty causes a lot of problems, religious harmony and
modern computer software-developments announce a bright future for India.
Kerala is one
of the South-West States of India which lies on the shore of Indian Ocean.
Beautiful sea waters, high mountain ranges and wild forests make Kerala one of
the most beautiful states of India. "Keram" is coconut. Kerala is the
land of coconuts. Rice, tea and coffee grow in large quantities. Spices like
Pepper, Cardamom, Ginger, Chilli and fruits like Banana, Mango and Jack-fruit
are specialties of Kerala. These invited strong trade relationship with Rome
and Persia even before the Christian Era. Kerala received Christian faith
already in the first century. St. Thomas, one of the Apostles of Jesus, came to
Kerala in A.D. 52 and founded Christianity here. Sr. Rani Maria belongs to this
Christian Community.
Pulluvazhy
is a small village situated near to the Cochin (Kochi) City and Perumbavoor
town. It is adjacent to Malayatoor, the famous St. Thomas Shrine, and to
Kalady, the birth-place of the renowned Indian Philosopher Adisankara. Majority
of the people are Christians and Hindus. "Pullu" is grass and
"Vazhy" is way. The village speaks of natural beauty with green
grass, trees, rice fields, and coconut gardens. The village is known for cattle
field and small scale wood industries. In the center of the village is situated
the St. Thomas Catholic Church and the miraculous chapel of St. Antony. This
religiously oriented little village is the birth-place of Sr. Rani Maria.
Sr. Rani Maria was the second child of Paily and
Eliswa of the Vattalil family. Her brothers and sisters were Stephen, Annie,
Varghese, Thressiamma, Celine (Sr. Selmy Paul) and Lucy. She was born on 29
January 1954 and was baptized on 5 February. Her uncle Varkey and grandmother
Mariamma were the Godparents. She was given the name Mary. But at home all
called her with the pet name Marykunju. Her brother Stephen speaks thus about
her childhood: "She was a girl of few words; she needed only very simple
clothes, and did not show any interest in wearing ornaments. She never did
anything to hurt anyone. Even though something happened, she felt sorry about
it." Her mother speaks of her with pride: "She was different from
other children and was an exceptionally obedient child."
Marykunju
received the first Holy Communion in 1961 and the Sacrament of Confirmation in
1966. She grew up in a healthy and strong background of prayer and devotional
practices. She showed great interest in going to the church and taking part in
the Mass and other forms of popular devotions. The superior of the Franciscan
Clarist Convent in Pulluvazhy, Sr. Bosco testifies that Sr. Rani Maria was a
good-natured girl and she frequented the catechism classes in full earnestness.
She started her studies in the Kalari (The traditional form of pre-primary
education) and continued with it for two years. Then she joined the Lower
Primary School at Pulluvazhy. She was smart and fared well both in studies and
in sports. She did well in all subjects; studied by heart stories and poems
from the text- books, the multiplication table, and began to learn English.
After primary schooling she joined the Jayakeralam High School managed by
P.Govindappillai. The education imparted there by famous teachers stood her in
good stead to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Even during his school days she
helped her parents in the farm. Jokingly she used to tell her brother:
"You are studying so much. It is of no use. Do some work and then
study." She was very enthusiastic about helping out also in the household
chores.
In view of a
good result in the SSLC Examination, her parents sent her to the St. Joseph's
H.S. Trippunithura. One of her companions Philo (Sr.Philcy) was already
studying in this school. Under the supervision and guidance of the nuns, her
life in the school and in the hostel turned out to be very conducive to her
spiritual and intellectual growth. She completed her studies successfully. She
obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology in 1982 from the Bhopal University
and her Master's Degree in the same subject in 1989 from the Riva University.
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| Martyr |
Religious
Vocation
During the final year of her school studies,
Sr. Rani Maria felt an internal call to become the bride of Christ, the
crucified. She shared her inner promptings with her cousin Sicily (Sr. Sony)
who also thought alike. Responding to that personal call of Christ they decided
to join the Franciscan Clarist Congregation.
Mary had anxieties about the reactions of her
parents and relatives regarding her decision to join the convent. One day, she
expressed her desire openly to her dear ones. Her brothers and sisters were not
happy and asked their father not to allow her to go. The father replied:
"but if she insists what shall I do? If God so desires, how can we go
against it". The grandmother intervened: "Why do you oppose Marykunju
joining the convent? Is she not going for a noble cause? How many parents
desire that their children become priests and nuns? But does that happen? The
vocation to the religious life is not given to all. God gives it only to
some." Hearing these words of wisdom from the grandmother all remained
silent. On 3 July 1972, Marykunju and her friend Sicily joined the convent at
Kidangoor, near Angamaly.
Sr. Gladys, the mistress at the initial stage
of her religious formation, says thus about Mary: “She always had a smiling
face and was a smart girl. She did everything with perfection and had no
complaints about anything. She did not need any corrections. Holding fast to
what is true and just, she always spoke out things very openly." On 1
November 1972 Marykunju and 17 of her companions entered the next stage of
formation called Postulancy and completed it in six months.
Mary was initiated in to the novitiate on 1
May 1973. During this period she formed herself to live a life based on the
evangelical counsels. Sr. Infant Mary her Novice Mistress says about her
novitiate days: "Mary was a faithful novice. She was quick to own up any
mistake she would commit. I don't remember Mary taking an exemption from her
studies, prayers, observance of the rules or work. She was always careful not
to hurt anyone. At the same time, she was very charitable and showed sincere
interest in correcting others. She always openly spoke out the truth."
The Lord uses cleansing measures to purify his
beloved. In her life Mary too had her crosses to carry. Midway through her
novitiate, she noticed that a black mark was growing on her leg. Even though
she underwent some treatment, the doctors prescribed that she would not be
healed completely. This caused her a lot of mental pain. All the same she was
not desperate and went ahead believing and entrusting herself to the divine
providence. The Lord rewarded her faith and cured her completely. In this
manner the Lord prepared her interiorly for the religious vestition. Mary and
the other novices made the First Profession and dawned the religious habit on 1
May 1974. The function took place in the St. George church; Angamaly officiated
by the late Bishop Sebastian Mankuzhikary. On that auspicious day she received
the name Sr. Rani Maria. She made her final commitment to the Lord by making
Perpetual Vows on 22 May 1980. It was preceded by a preparatory course in
Portiuncula, the
generalate of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation in Aluva.
Missionary
Life
"The Spirit of the Lord is
upon me, because he has anointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has
sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the
blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable
year of the Lord" (Lk.4/18). These verses were written in the personal
diary of Sr. Rani Maria. She was attracted by these words and grew up in the
desire to become a missionary. Her zeal increased as she at times listened to
the experiences of the nuns who were working in the mission areas of North
India. She was inspired by the letters send by some of them. "The harvest
is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest
to send out labourers into his harvest". (Mt.9/37-38). This call of the
Lord echoed in her ears again and again. It touched her deep within.
Bishop Gracian Mundadan, Bishop of
Bijnor in North India, asked Sr. Sophia, the superior of the Ernakulam province
of the Fransciscan Clarist Congregation, to send two nuns in order to serve in
the Department of Social Services in his diocese. Sr. Rani Maria and Sr. Ann
John were chosen to take up this mission. Sr. Rani Maria was very happy that
finally what she was longing for came in search of her. Her parents, brothers
and sisters were very sad on her decision to go to North India, since it was
very far away from her home. She did not succumb to the opposition and tears of
her dear ones. With a thirst to proclaim the Good News to the poor she started
off for Patna on 9 July 1975.
At Bijnor in the Cradle of
Missionary Life (1975-83)
Sr. Rani Maria began her works
giving attention to the education of children in the remote villages of Bijnor.
She gathered together the children who used to play with the grazing cows. She
made them sit under trees and taught them reading and writing. Gradually,
through her hard work, she was able to provide necessary conveniences in order
to give basic education to the children of the villages. Moreover, she
organized crèches and means of education for women and old people.
She executed projects of
houses, roads, water, electricity and so on. Her relentless zeal was gratefully
acknowledged and she was recognized as an established social worker. "Do
not be afraid for I am with you always" were the words that gave her
strength of mind and generosity of heart to continue the work even in the midst
of opposition and problems.
Sr. Infant Mary, who was Sr. Rani
Maria's Novice Mistress and who had direct experiences of her works in the
Mission areas has the following to say about her activities in the diocese of
Bijnor: "The biting cold, heavy rains, intense heat, irregular meals, lack
of water, journey through dangerous forests, lonely moments of helplessness...
nothing was a hindrance to Sr. Rani Maria. While travelling she used to pray
the rosary. She had her pains behind the adventurous undertakings. She was a
junior sister of twenty two years old. But she possessed the inner strength to
face and overcome the difficult situations. She never made any complaints about
her trials and problems nor did she show the slightest sign of discontentment.
But I have seen her difficulties personally."
Sr. Infant Mary continues:
"Her service to the villagers in cooperation with 'The Save a Family Plan'
is something very laudable.” With these projects many huts of the bygone
days were turned into houses. The narrow pathways became roads. Marshy places
were converted into cultivable fields. Wells were dug. Electricity was brought.
Woolen clothes were distributed. The poor people were supplied with food
articles and the unemployed were given job opportunities. Her works were
publicly acknowledged when Fr. Kottoor, the director of Social Services, named
a sewing mill of the village as "Rani Mills". This mill was the fruit
of Sr. Rani Maria's hard work.
Fr. Kottoor says, "Sr. Rani
Maria was convinced of her call by Jesus. She was inspired by the life style of
St. Francis of Assissi. She prayed intensely by which she gained the strength
to march ahead even in the midst of various problems." Fr. Raimond,
Provincial of the Mission Province of the Carmelites of the Mary Immaculate
says, “Soon after the Holy Mass Sr. Rani Maria used to start off on her journey
to be with the people of the village. Her passion in life was to share with the
poor the love of God. Other nuns of the community were also attracted by her
social works. She was a dedicated and zealous person."
With her eight years of service in
Bijnor she was able to bring about radical changes and substantial progress in
the twenty villages ranging from Adampur, to Ravali or the city forest as it is
called to day. The services done in villages like Adampur, Timarpur, Katchpura,
Tikkanpur, Nayagava, Jalra, Ittawa, Chandpura, Manddaval, Lalvala. Bukkara,
Khadi, Peda, Bhakkalpur, Salampur, Manddavali, Chottaittava, Ravali, the
different parts of the colony of Bangla speak volumes of the hard work of Sr.
Rani Maria.
At Odagady in the Diocese of Satna
(1983-92)
On 23 May 1983 Sr. Rani Maria reached
the hilly areas of Odagady in the diocese of Satna. There too, she laboured to
uplift the poor and the down trodden and to bring them back to the main stream
of life. Sr. Rani Maria was firmly convinced that no sacrifice would be too
much in order to preach the total liberation proclaimed by Christ. She was of
the opinion that one should not be tired to work for the poor presenting
them Christ. Sr. Infant Mary has the following words to say about Sr. Rani
Maria's mission in Odagady: "The needs of the people were of multi-faced:
house, road, water, food, light and electricity, hospital, employment
facilities and so on. The people were to be saved from feelings of
estrangement, abandonment, peacelessness, and anxiety. They had the desire for
knowledge. They wanted to build up proper families. The litany of their needs
became always longer. Sr. Rani Maria found out new ways and means to make these
dreams materialized. She understood that even though the people looked ignorant
and rustic, each individual was full of different capabilities. If
opportunities were given they will surely develop. With this aim in mind she
organized camps and seminars. Selected youth were grouped into different
committees in order to achieve efficient participation from the people."
Sr. Infant Mary continues:
"Big wells were dug and barren land and marshy places were converted into
cultivable land. The problem of scarcity of water was solved by constructing
small dams, which would conserve water. Fish tanks were built. Machines were
erected for oil extraction. The savings of the people were deposited in the
bank and were used for further development. Through women organizations she
taught the village women to take proper care of the children and to have some
sort of order in their own homes. She encouraged small-scale industries and
centers of handicrafts. She organized educational programs in proportion to the
grasping power of the children, young and aged. Thus, majority of the people of
Odagady and the surroundings, who lived in utter poverty, were helped to attain
self-sufficiency. She conscientized the poor people about the problem of
exploitation by the rich. As a result, she also became the object of
displeasure to the oppressors. Works for the upliftment of the poor was misinterpreted
as attempts for conversion of Hindus to Christianity. Her life was at times
under threat. But she was not discouraged, instead, these turned out to be
opportunities for her to reinforce her sense of dedication".
Often enough the government officials
rejected her applications and requests in favour of the poor. They even advised
her not to spend her life in vain for the sake of these people. On one
occasion, holding on to the cross hanging around her neck, she told humbly to
an officer: " Sir, we have accepted this way of life and come here not
because we have no means of livelihood at home nor is it because our parents
have pushed us out of our families. Look! We have accepted this wayof life, a
life of sacrifice, in order to work for Christ in the poor." Gradually her
gentle manners, sincere dealings, unselfish ways of action and above all her
pleasant way of speaking won over admiration even of the officials.
In Odgady about 25 villages were
the recipients of her services. They are Osgadala, Ujjaini, Baghadi,
Battahattad, Chawraghad, Amo, Silab, Bagwada, Lalgadad, Bawdi, Pulaya,
Haracoli, Thebani, Jhadi, Sajahar, Jinknowa, Sarahad, Koluva, Kajadasala,
Majoli, Mirchuwa, Miniyari, Khajarda, Jhadhi and Thabni.
At Udainagar in the Diocese of
Indore (1992-95)
After 9 years of dedicated and
self-less service in Odagady Sr. Rani Maria reached Udainagar in the diocese of
Indore on 16 May 1992. Again, Sr. Infant Mary testifies to her life of service
here: "She tried to make the adivasis (the hill tribes) and the
other ordinary people of the village self-reliant. She chose a few
youngsters and gave them training to become animators. She taught them how to
help the poor people and themselves by getting financial assistance from the
government and private banks of Udainagar and Indore.
Sr. Infant Mary writes again:
"Organizations like Seva Samithi, and Mahilamandal started functioning
very effectively. In this way she could help to eradicate the evil of poverty
to a certain extent. Houses were built, roads were constructed, and electricity
was supplied. The men folk were engaged in small-scale business such as rearing
sheep, collecting honey and the women and children became experts at making
sandal-wood sticks, preparing jute bags and so on. Again, the marshy places
were converted in to agricultural land. Those capable of going for higher
education were given the opportunities. Thus they developed a positive
awareness about themselves and grew up in efficiency, culture and etiquette.
There appeared a silver lining in the clouds of the village of Udainagar and
its surroundings."
The villages where she worked in
Udainagar were Semily, Gadaghad, Magradeve, Dhad, Dhavadala, Devnaliya,
Shyampura, Mayghavu, Pandhuthalab, Jamasingh, Sithapuri, Visali, Anandnagar,
Mirjapur, Subhalghad, Harmodi, Hurapur, Iralipuram, Udayapuram, Sevenpani,
Patpadi, Pattadipala, Dupghad, and Dhuladhad.
Sr. Rani Maria was a mother to the
poor in every sense of the word. Sr. Lisa Rose, the superior of the convent in
which she lived in Udainagar, remarks: "Sr. Rani Maria mostly worked
among the adivasis and among those who were marginalized by the society. They
loved her as a mother because it was for the first time that they saw a person
who shared their life, lived with them and acted in their favour. Her life was
set apart for the poor. Her nature was not the one that would run away from
difficulties and oppositions."
In 1994 Sr. Rani Maria was elected
as the Provincial Councilor of her Congregation having the charge of the
Department of Social Services. She had to coordinate the social works of
all the houses of the Province. On her election to the Provincial Council she
said: "Power or position was not important in the field of service. Only
the attitude towards selfless service would make one achieve something".
Sr. Rani Maria had made deep impressions and left indelible marks wherever she
worked. Today, she is known as 'Mother of the Poor', 'Heaven of the Needy',
'Zealous Missionary', 'Smiling Sister' and 'Queen of Indore' or 'Indore Rani'.
Martyrdom
25 February 1995. Sr. Rani Maria rose early in
the morning as usual. She was to catch the bus at 7 a.m. to Indore and from
there to the Provincial House in Bhopal and then to Kerala to meet her parents.
Sr. Lisa Rose describes this day on which Sr. Rani Maria was martyred:
"We, the inmates of 'Snehasadan Convent' were already awake before the
sun-rise. When I reached the chapel for the morning prayers I found that Sr.
Rani Maria had already reached the chapel before everybody else. After the
morning prayers we assembled in the refectory while Sr. Rani was having her
breakfast. She was about to begin her journey. As it was her custom before
leaving the house, she picked up the word of God. She got the words, 'Do not be
afraid, I have carved your name on the palm of my hands' (Is.49/16).
"Two of us accompanied her to the bus
stand. The bus in which she was supposed to travel did not arrive. When
enquired about it we were told that the bus was cancelled. Then Sr. Rani said,
'This must be God's will. I will take the next bus. We shall go back to the
convent and return when it is time for the next bus.' As we were coming back to
the convent we saw the bus by the name 'Kapil' by which she had to travel next.
As I knew the conductor I told him: 'One of our sisters has to go to Indore.
Please reserve for her one seat.' He said, 'Sister, this bus leaves at 8.15.
You may board the bus in front of the convent.'”
"When it was time, the bus arrived in front
of the convent. Her companions bade her farewell. Sr. Rani Maria and I crossed
the road. I was carrying her luggage which I kept at the doorstep of the
bus. A youngster, dressed in white, took it and placed it behind the front door
of the bus. When Sr. Rani Maria stepped in, I heard him telling her, 'you may
go back and sit there’. The bell rang and the bus moved off. As I was
returning, I was thinking about something that happened unusually. Whenever we
sisters travel, we were made to sit at the front of the bus. But today it was just the opposite. What could be the reason. As I
reached the convent, I carried on with my work.”
"At about 10.45 a.m. the telephone rang.
I attended the phone call. I was told that it was a wireless message from the
Police Station. 'Has any of your sisters gone out?' ‘How many of them?'
'Which way?' 'Where to?' All these questions were asked and I answered all of
them. I enquired to see if any accidents took place. The person on the other
end replied: 'Sister no accident had taken place, but something worse. After
five minutes I shall let you know more details'. With these words he put off
the telephone. I was worried and confused. I did not know what to do. I called
the members of the community and explained to them about the message. After
five minutes when I was not getting any more telephone call I rang up to the
police station. I was shocked to death to hear the alarming news: 'Your Sister
is murdered by someone. The body is lying on the road. You may go and take the
body.' We ran to the chapel. I held myself to the tabernacle and cried. For
about fifteen minutes we stayed there not knowing what to do; neither we were
not able to do anything.
"In between, let me narrate how Sr. Rani
Maria was killed. (I am presenting these details basing myself on what was told
to me by one young man who is our neighbour and was traveling in the same bus.
He narrated the event of murder to me after a few days it took place. When
others in the bus suddenly got down from the bus this man continued to sit in
the bus due to high fever.)
'Though
the assassins came in a group of three, the whole murder was committed by a
single person. When the bus reached the entrance of Nachanbore hill, a man
dressed in white, named Samandar Singh, got up, approached the driver and asked
him to stop the bus. As the bus was stopped, he hurried down from the bus. In
his hand there was a coconut. After touching his forehead with the coconut he
threw it down on a stone and broke it into pieces. With the pieces of coconut
he re - entered the bus and distributed them to the passengers. He stretched
out his hand to Sr. Rani with a piece of coconut but withdrew it as if to fool
her. He appeared to be a very happy man. Sr. Rani Maria asked him, 'Why are you
so overjoyed today?' He suddenly drew out a knife and replied, 'it is nothing
but this', and instantly pierced the knife into Sr. Rani Maria's stomach! Blood
gushed forth. 'Jesus'-she cried out. She tried to catch hold of the knife. The
passengers were terrified. They ran down from the bus. The murderer kept on
stabbing her. By that time she understood that the leader who was encouraging
the assassin and telling him to kill her was one who was well known to her.
Though a few people tried to prevent the assassins, they drove them away
hurling the knife at them. The murderer tried to drag her out of the bus. She
was writhing on pain. She caught hold of the iron bar on the bus. He cut those
hands!!. He kicked her out of the seat. Then catching her by the legs he
dragged her on to the door!! Her face was disfigured due to this brutal act.
The skin on her face was peeled off. She cried aloud. He kicked her out of the
bus through the door steps. She was hanging half-way from the bus. He asked the
driver, who was standing far away, to run the bus over her body. But the driver
did not succumb to this terrible and devilish wish. Again, he pulled her fully
out of the bus. He kept on stabbing her all over the body, piercing her head,
cheek, forehead, nose, back and stomach!!! The knife cut her body over fifty
times!!! She was screaming and shouting with severe pain. She loudly cried:
'Jesus, Jesus'. She was no more able to resist. Her body was gradually becoming
lifeless. Slowly she breathed her last. She died in the midst of the people,
many of whom she knew, some of them whom she did help. Nobody could help her.
The assassins were more powerful. She died an agonizing death. Like Jesus, she
too, shedding blood, laid down her life for her people. The murderers abandoned
her lifeless body and ran away.
"Let me continue to narrate the
developments after I received the message of her murder. As we got the
information from the police
station, Sr. Sheeja, Sr. Licy, two doctors and I left hurriedly to the spot of
the murder. On reaching there we were told that the body was brought to the
police station in the same bus. Soon we reached the Kambel Police Station in
the district of Indore. The scene there was astounding. In the midst of
thousands of people there lay the bus. Our Bishop George Anathil, hearing about
the murder, had already reached there. He took us to the bus. The sight in the
bus was heart-breaking. As I looked through the back door of the bus, I turned
numb. Sr. Rani's body lay bathed in blood. We could not control our loud cry.
We lifted up the body and laid it in our vehicle. I sat close to our Rani on
the journey to Indore Bishop's House. I removed the veil from her face. I saw
her mouth wide opened and the tongue shrank inside. One of her eyes was badly
damaged and the tip of the nose was hanging down.
"As we reached in Indore, the mob was
flowing on hearing the tragedy. The day after was Sunday. The body was taken to
the Indore Cathedral Church in the morning. Bishop George Anathil celebrated
the Holy Eucharist together with many priests and people. Later, the body was
kept at the centre of the church and people were flocking to pay her respect.
"At eight o'clock in the morning, on 27
February, the funeral ceremony began in the presence of many bishops, priests
and people belonging to different religions. After the Holy Mass the funeral
procession set off from Indore towards Udainagar. The body was laid in a
specially prepared bus. More than 130 vehicles escorted the body. The
procession crossed through forests, hills and the by-lanes of the villages.
Three kilometers away from Udainagar all the vehicles were stopped. The people
took to foot. They carried the dead body to our convent. The inmates of the
convent were speechless. We all cried!. Rani was the most active person in the
convent till the other day!! Today, our Rani is life-less!!! How could we face
the reality? The coffin was placed at the entrance of the chapel so that the
thousands who were gathered there could pay homage to their beloved.
"About 12000 people took part in the funeral and the
final services. The eminent people of the gathering stated their grief in
public. By six o'clock in the evening the body was laid to rest in a specially
prepared tomb."
Prayer
to Blessed Rani
Maria
O Most Holy Trinity , the father ,son and holy spirit ,we
thank you for blessing Sr.Rani Maria with the crown of martyrdom
and elevating her to the altar as a blessed. Your word was light on her
way;your body was the source of her strength and you anointed her to bring the
good news to the poor.
Following her example, bless us O Lord, to love you above all with vigour and
enthusiasm and witness you to the people around us. Strengthen us to grow in
sacrificial love and compassionate care for the poor and needy . We pray that
she may be declared a saint, and her life be an inspiration to many people. We
humbly implore through her intercession to grant us this special favour
…………………. We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen
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