“I have fought the good fight;
I have run the race;
I have safeguarded my faith;
Now I wait for his reward”
was the long awaited desire of our dear Sr. Philomena Amala.
We are all on a journey in life each holding a map packed with situations, challenges and events that test courage, character and commitment in a purposeful life.
Life is a journey and not a destination. And at each stage in life there are entry and exit station. Though each leave taking is painful, it opens up potential for growth, for even a perfect egg must break for new life to begin.
Dear sisters,
Sr. Philomena Amala was born in a faith filled family of Mr. Sundaram and Mrs. Savariammal on 29. 08. 1949 at Krishnagiri. Being the eldest of three boys and four girls in the family, they all showed great interest in her wellbeing. She was the spiritual strength to all her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.
Harkened by God’s call and having a close association with our sisters she chose to join FSM family on 31st May 1968 and made her first profession on 11th December 1971. Her Missionary journey began at Mathigiri and during the fifty one years of her religious life she rendered her service in various communities such as Salem, Mathagondapalli, Hosur, Trichy, Surandai, Elathagiri and Tiruchengode. She was very obedient to the authorities and wherever she was sent, she did her mission wholeheartedly. In many communities she rendered her service in the house, orphanage, and hostel. She loved teaching catechism and visiting the houses in the parish. She was passionate in reading the Word of God and instilling the same desire in others. Even though she was unable to walk a long distance for the past two years, she joyfully helped the poor children by taking tuition classes and contacting the families over phone to assure her prayers in their great struggles, pains and sufferings.
On the 2nd October she was taken to Gokulam hospital at Salem for treatment as she was developing some kind of growth on her neck and which was fast growing. Doctors confirmed that it was the TB gland and started her treatment instantly. She was obliged to stop her Siddha medicines which she was taking nearly 14 years. Due to this reason she could not agree with allopathic TB treatment. On 17th November with the permission of Sr. Miriam we had to shift her to St Louise hospital – Krishnagiri.
On 7th December around 2pm Sr. Deepa called us to inform that sister is not keeping well and was struggling for breath due to massive cardiac arrest. Doctors and sisters tried hard to revive her but in vain. At 2.20pm we received the news that she was no more. God found her worthy to be with Him forever. Her death came like a thief and it was a great shock for all of us.
The funeral service took place in Our Lady of Fatima church- Krishnagiri and she is buried in the convent cemetery surrounded by priests, sisters, family members, relatives and parishioners of Krishnagiri and Tiruchengode.
Though she left us all she lives in our memory forever. We miss her but we believe that she is with us in Spirit interceding for us with our Heavenly Father. We continue to pray that the merciful Lord may pardon all her sins and bless her with the reward He has prepared for her from all eternity.
The Fraternity of St. Joseph convent,
Tiruchengode.