Sr. Melanie SD is no more. She must be around 85. First profession in 1954. Final profession in 1960. Almost 35 years as Hindi teacher at St. Thomas School. Has taught almost all of my five sisters. Her range was from V to X standards. I remember my elder sister and one of her classmates - Ambujakshi - conversing in Hindi, with the tidbits they had from her classes which used to begin thus: उठो! और मौन वाचन करो!
Wearing always a rather serious mien, she always bore a motherly mind ('അമ്മ മനസ്സ്). Till today, we had no clue as to Udayanapuram - Vaikom was her native place. Because, she and her genre of nuns - Sr. Lucy, Sr. Florine, Sr. Ann, Sr. Josephat, Sr. Rozario, Sr. Rosalind, Sr. Floria, Sr. Hyacinth, Sr. Philamin, Sr Evlalia... None of us ever bothered of their place of origin. It didn't matter - they belonged there - Perumanoor - very much there. They had made our parish their family, their home.
I remember Sr. Melanie as part of the choir together with Sr. Ann. But she was something like all pervasive without making it obvious. Was he part of Mathrusangham? part of Sodality - CLC? guiding altar boys? Perhaps, she was - perhaps she wasn't. However, I have a feeling that she was part of it all. I recall her visiting our home - perhaps, it is just a feeling, perhaps, she didn't. However, we all felt thus about most of those sisters - who were more of mothers to us, than sisters! I recall Sr. Melanie coming specially for my ordination, and giving a gift to me. Our family recalls her presence during the commemoration of my father. This is not just speaking about - me, my family and Sr Melanie - but rather to show that that would be the sentiment by most of the Catholic families of Perumanoor of those times, for Sr. Melanie or for the sisters of the destitute of Perumanoor.
With her long stint of being at Perumanoor for almost four decades she has further sanctified the small locale of Perumanoor already blessed by the birth of the venerable founder of SDs Rev. Varghes Payyappilly.
I recall with regret that when she approached for an admission for one of her relatives for a UG or PG seat - I forget - almost to the point of insisting, and finding it not so easy to oblige, I felt uncomfortable. I am not sure whether finally the candidate was admitted or not. Anyhow, we did have a conversation over phone over that.
It is quite fitting that the sister act of the nuns' choir is all rich with rhythm and interludes (though jarring they sound to me). This is very unlike the typical funeral mass of our rite. But with Sr. Melanie as a committed minister of the word through music ministry in the Church bidding good bye, the effort is right and fitting! May she be taken to that haven of soothing music and God's rhythm.
The last couple of months, for Sr. Melanie, had been perhaps like those days of confusion for the disciples when they found their Master dead. The pious women who followed Jesus were almost lost. They took Jesus for a ghost or for a gardener. But Jesus finally opened their eyes and confirmed that it was He! And they responded, Rabboni, addressing him endearingly as the Master! Today, she has found that revelation and she is definitely singing with the heavenly choirs 'Hallelujah!
Coincidentally, but befittingly, today's readings are all about this! The wise virgins, who had ensured there was enough oil for them to last through the wait for the bridegroom to arrive. (We make fun saying that the five foolish virgins went and established a convent!) Sister Melanie, the wise virgin has kept the lamp burning ever replenishing it with the oil of God's love made real through service on the planet. Melanie is from Greek, and means 'dark' - though Sister has the name after the Latin Saint Melania. Unlike the name, she was a very white or bright soul of goodness, after the heart of Jesus her master, who went about doing good. The long years of over 60 years of that wait of this wise virgin, who kept her lamp shining through good deeds, is becoming complete today, and we bid her farewell.
The Gospel, speaks about the great hope into which Sr. Melanie is entering, but it concludes with the exhortation for us mortals, Be alert, be awake! ജാഗരൂകരായിരിക്കുവിൻ (Mtt 25:12). We are invited 'to be with Christ always' (I Thes. 4:17).
Beloved sister, 'till here, till now, we accompanied you, henceforth, the angels in heaven will accompany you.'
