Sister Mirabelle of Jesus Crucified

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice. (Phil 4: 4)

‘Joy is something that you give it away; for it comes right back to you’ Sr. Mirabelle lived her life based on this truth.

When God created His unique masterpiece Ruthilia S.L. Rego, He shared with her His special gifts of wisdom, love, intelligence, creativity, positive attitude, organizing capacity above all a great share of His joy, which made her vibrant, available, focused, and always remaining as the Beloved of the Lord.

Ruthilia was born in Bendore, Mangalore, on the 4^th of June, 1945 to the Late Joseph J. Rego and the Late Lucy Lobo as the eighth child among ten children. She was baptised on the 8^th of June, 1945 in St. Sebastian’s Church, Bendore. She received the sacrament of Confirmation on 13^th September 1952. Being a sickly child, she enjoyed special attention and affection from her parents as well as her siblings. She completed her education up to PUC at St. Agnes High School. The nurturing care of God-fearing parents and siblings and the conducive environment of the School enabled Ruthie to grow in faith, love for prayer and care for the poor.

Jesus captured her for Himself and she responded to this invitation wholeheartedly and joined the Apostolic Carmel on 24^th May 1962 and made her First Profession on 14^th January 1965. Mother Theodosia, the then Superior General decided to send her for higher studies to New York; after completing her studies successfully she returned to India in 1969 and made her Final Profession on 25^th May, 1970 in Maryhill, Mangalore. Later she completed her B.Ed. and M.A. in English.

Sr. Mirabelle was a multifaceted personality – an effective animator, able administrator, eloquent speaker, creative writer, motivational speaker, good actress and singer, and passionate educator.  Her magnetic personality and sense of humour attracted the young and the old, men and women, and rich and the poor alike. But the Lord always guarded her for Himself. And on her part like the bride in the ‘Song of Songs’, she kept searching for her beloved. Her greatest desire was to grow in contemplative prayer. Through guided retreats, help from spiritual directors, and articles on contemplation she sought this treasure from the Lord. We can call her a ‘mystic in the marketplace.’ As a spiritual animator and guide, she helped the sisters to grow in faith and prayer and stood by them in times of pain, doubts and difficult moments of their lives. She could live beyond the structures, which made her a free person and available to anyone who was in need. She enjoyed directing retreats for Sisters, conducting motivational sessions for sisters, teachers, and students, and simultaneously sought to upgrade herself through attending seminars, prayer sessions, and other workshops.

Sr. Mirabelle brought joy to community life. She used her culinary skills to surprise the sisters and made community recreations, province gatherings, and all types of get-togethers vibrant. She could act spontaneously and mimic anyone. Her humour kept the group roaring with laughter. She could associate with both the old and the young, but she had a preferential love for the young.  She gave them space to grow and challenged them to become who they were meant to be. If anyone complained to her or grumbled in front of her, she would always say, “Don’t pity yourself; the best is yet to come.”

Sr. Mirabelle was entrusted with various responsibilities, which she carried out with utmost dedication. She began her service as an educator at St. Teresa’s School in Kannur, where she taught for a year. She then served as Vice Principal for four years in Jamshedpur and Port Blair. As Headmistress, she led St. Joseph’s in Calicut, as well as schools in Jorhat, Rourkela, and Diphu, for a decade. Her leadership skills were visible when she was the animator of communities in Jorhat and Rourkela for seven years. She served as a Provincial Councillor for five years and a General Councillor for twelve years. She was twelve years as the Provincial Superior of the Eastern Province, inspiring the sisters to keep Jesus at the center of their lives and to demonstrate their love for Him in all their actions. She was also a collaborative team member who worked harmoniously with others.

Her missionary zeal took the Apostolic Carmel to the remotest island Campbell Bay and also to Agartala and Arunachal Pradesh. She instilled in the Sisters courage to work in the missions and to do and dare great things for the Lord. Sr. Mirabelle never accepted ‘NO’ for an answer from anyone, as she believed in the capacity of the sisters. She was able to administer with firmness coupled with love. She could make things happen whatever the challenges and obstacles came on her way because she was a self-assured person, and had great trust in the Lord.

As the General Councillor in charge of Education, Sr. Mirabelle was interested in second-line leadership. She organized various workshops and seminars to empower the young. She was responsible for the writing, coordinating and printing of the ‘Joyful Living’ Value Education series, which had a good response among many non-AC schools, besides our schools. Under her guidance Manual for New Horizons and Carmel Treasures were prepared and sisters as well as teachers were trained to conduct the sessions. The staff and students benefitted much from these sessions. She always focused on Research and Development in the field of education and small initiatives taken up by the individuals and groups in this area were much appreciated.

As an animator for ACAs and Carmel Blossoms for the Congregation, she took a lot of trouble to empower the local as well as the Province animators. ACAs and Carmel Blossoms looked forward to the Regional and Congregational Congresses. Whatever the work assigned to her, she took full responsibility, did it with commitment and diligence, involved others, and completed it as early as possible.

Sr. Mirabelle was compassionate and kind to the poor and the marginalized. She was not interested in dolling out money but took up the responsibility of empowering women and children and helping them to be financially secure. She had a special concern for the students who were not able to perform well in their studies. Through special coaching and extra attention, she brought them to the level of the class and made them feel confident and determined.

Sr. Mirabelle’s dream project was a Prayer House in the Province. After completing her term as Provincial Superior in 2016, she took up the full responsibility of completing the construction of Divya Darshan, set up the house, and was the first Director of Divya Darshan. After this, she could not do much because of her ill health.

Sr. Mirabelle was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 40. She did not want any special diet and would not listen to anyone’s advice. As years went by uncontrolled diabetes slowly affected her body very especially the kidneys, made her lethargic, lost interest in reading, and writing, and slowly withdrew from all her interests.

Sr. Mirabelle joined Carmel Convent in Rourkela in June 2023. She enjoyed good health and found happiness in our community. Her life, marked by strong faith, often echoed the words of St. Paul: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18)

On February 13^th 2024, Sr. Mirabelle developed a high fever and was swiftly admitted to Apollo Hospital, where she received treatment for three days. On March 30th, while the community sisters were preparing for the Easter Vigil Mass, her condition worsened, and her blood sugar levels dropped significantly. The priests from St. Paul’s were called, and she was administered the Sacrament of the Sick. With guidance from Dr. Debashis Nayak at Apollo Hospital, Sr. Casilda and the community provided round-the-clock care. By the following morning, Sr. Mirabelle had returned to her normal health.

On June 2nd, 2024, upon hearing about the death of her brother, Fr. Rosi SJ, in Mangalore, she seemed visibly affected. Despite this, on June 4th, 2024, the community celebrated her 79^th birthday with a special Eucharistic celebration, dinner and recreation. She spoke with her sister Nina and received phone calls from a few AC sisters, friends, and well-wishers, ending the day on a joyful note.

From June 5th onwards, Sr. Mirabelle stopped talking and her movements became restricted. The domestic helpers fed her and wheeled her to the chapel only for the Eucharistic celebration and the Rosary. Gradually, she was confined to her room. Despite being on medication, there was no improvement, and doctors advised home care. Our community, along with our helpers, Susheela Ekka, Monica Lugun, and Sonia Bacla, took care of her. Sr. Casilda the superior and the and community sisters spent time with her, singing her favourite hymns, praying liturgical prayers, and giving her communion daily. Like gold purified in fire, Sr. Mirabelle endured her last days with grace and faith.

On July 17, 2024, she began experiencing breathing difficulties at 4 PM. Fr. Tomy SVD, the Superior of St. Paul’s, administered the Sacrament of the Sick. Sr. Mukta  F.C, a trained nurse, arrived to assist Sr. Mirabelle. On the advice of  Dr. Helen Bilung, she was admitted to CWS Hospital and placed in the ICU. Sisters from Kolkata, including the Provincial Superior and her team, as well as communities from Jamshedpur, Kharagpur, and Odisha, came to be by her side.

The Lord called Sr. Mirabelle home to partake in the banquet prepared for her at the end of her life’s journey. At around 6.00 p.m. on 21^st July, she peacefully slipped into eternity.

Dear Sister Mirabelle, we your sisters owe you our love and gratitude for your untiring service to the Lord and His people. We will miss your joyful and vibrant presence in our midst. Do pray for us from your heavenly abode.

Rest now, dear Sister, in God’s gentle embrace,

Your legacy of love we will always embrace.

A loving tribute from the sisters of Carmel convent Rourkela.

BIO DATA

Name in Religion: Sister Mirabelle of Jesus Crucified

Institute No.: 1352

Maiden Name: Ruthie S.L. Rego

Date of Birth: 04-06-1945

Admission to Postulancy: 24-05-1962

First Commitment: 14-01-1965

Perpetual Profession: 23-05-1970

Date of Decease: 21-07-2024

Date of Burial: 22-07-2024

Place of Burial: Christian Cemetery, Hamirpur, Rourkela