“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)
With profound faith and hope, we remember with gratitude our dear Sr. Vincentia Lopes, fondly known as Sr. Vinny, who surrendered her soul to her Divine Master, Jesus Christ, whom she loved and faithfully followed throughout her fifty years of religious life. After a life marked by faith, courage, perseverance, long years of suffering and endurance, she now rests in the loving embrace of her Creator, free from all pain.
Sr Vinny was born on 5 May 1951, as the fourth child of the late Mr. Sebastian Lopes and Mrs. Dominica Lopes of St Joseph’s Church, Kasarkod, Honnavar. She grew up in a loving and disciplined family, blessed with one sister and three brothers. Her parents nurtured in her a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, together with the values of faith, simplicity, responsibility, and care. She completed her schooling at Holy Rosary Convent School, Honnavar.
Responding generously to the call of Christ, she joined the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation on 1 June 1972, made her temporary profession on 9 May 1976, and her perpetual profession on 9 May 1982. Her life’s guiding purpose was “to be a simple Ursuline Franciscan Sister, to live according to the Gospel values and to make Christ known.” Gifted in craft, decoration and field activities, she was trained to be a teacher at Sacred Heart Institutions, Jayanagar, Bangalore. She served faithfully in St. Ann’s Convent, Thottam; St. Joseph’s Convent, Hunsur; Maria Niketan Convent, Bogadi; St. Clare’s Convent, Suntikoppa; Holy Family Convent, Kengeri; Maria Kripa Provincialate, Mysuru; and Christa Raj Convent, Naganahalli.
For 32 years at Holy Family Convent, Bangalor, Sr Vinny served devotedly as a primary school teacher. She lovingly formed little children not only in learning but also in life values. Her kindness, personal attention and willingness to listen and guide left a lasting impression on generations of students, many of whom remained grateful, remembered her and stayed connected with her until the end.
A special grace of her religious life was her love for her vocation and her dedication to the Vocation Ministry. Inspired by the words, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few,” she prayed fervently for vocations and travelled extensively to meet and encourage young girls to respond joyfully to Christ’s call. Many of those she inspired have become strong pillars of our Congregation and Province, bearing fruit abundantly. She also encouraged the Sisters engaged in vocation ministry.
Like St. Alphonsa, whom she deeply admired, Sr. Vinny’s life became an oblation of suffering. She endured various illnesses, especially rheumatoid arthritis. In 2022, while serving at Holy Family Convent, Kengeri, she developed gangrene in her lower limb, eventually undergoing an amputation. Through the loving care of the then Provincial Superior, Sr Lily Fernandes, Sr Dr. Amitha Maria Lobo, and the Sisters of Maria Kripa Provincialate, she continued her journey with remarkable faith and fortitude.
Though confined to bed for the last five years, Sr Vinny remained spiritually strong and deeply committed to her ministry of prayer. She participated in the daily Eucharist and community prayers, spent time before the Blessed Sacrament, prayed for the various needs of the Congregation and the Church and for all those who requested her prayers. Every day, she faithfully recited the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00 p.m. Her devotion to Mother Mary, patience in suffering, gratitude for every act of kindness, gentle smile and assurance of prayer made her a blessing and a joyful witness of Christ to all who visited her.
As Sr Vinny needed better medical care, in April 2026, she was transferred to Christa Raj Convent, Naganahalli, where she continued her ministry of prayer and cheerfully attended the visitors. As her health was gradually declining during the last two months, Sr. Annie MA, the Provincial Superior, her team and the community Sisters offered spiritual and personal care. Sr. Dr. Amitha Lobo visited her every week and as needed to provide medical care. Her family members remained closely connected through frequent visits and phone calls. On 12 August, Sr Vinny participated in the Holy Eucharist with the community. Later that evening, her health suddenly deteriorated, and was prepared to meet her Lord. Rev Fr. Antony Swamy, the Parish Priest of Naganahalli administered the Last Sacraments, and at 9:45 p.m., she peacefully breathed her last in the presence of her community Sisters.
Sr Vinny’s mortal remains were brought to Maria Niketan Chapel, Bogadi on 14 August at 8 a.m. The funeral Mass was celebrated at 10.00 a.m. presided over by Rev. Fr Edward Philip S J, Episcopal Vicar for Religious of Mysore Diocese along with six other concelebrants. Rev Sr Milly Fernandes the Superior General and her team, Sisters of Mangalore and of Mysore Province, family members, relatives, friends, students and well-wishers of Sr Vinny were present to bid her tearful farewell. She was laid to rest at Maria Niketan Cemetery Bogadi, Mysuru.
Dear Sr. Vinny, your earthly journey has come to an end, but your witness of faith, love, prayer, suffering and selfless service remains a precious legacy. You have touched the lives of your family, Sisters, students, friends, and all whom you inspired to follow Christ. We believe that you are now with the Lord whom you loved and served, and that you continue to intercede for our Congregation and for all of us. May your soul rest forever in the peace of Jesus, and may you behold the radiant Face of God whom you loved and served so faithfully.
Adieu, dear Sr Vinny, until we meet again in His eternal embrace.
