Sisters of Saint Joseph of Annecy

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.  For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:4-5 

To the living, I am gone,

To the sorrowful, I will never return,

To the angry, I was cheated,

But to the happy, I am at peace,

And to the faithful, I have never left.

I cannot speak, but I can listen.

I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.

So as you stand upon a shore gazing at a beautiful sea,

As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity,

Remember me.

Remember me in your heart:

Your thoughts, and your memories,

Of the times we loved,

The times we cried,

The times we fought,

The times we laughed.

For if you always think of me, I will never have gone.

By Margaret Mead

Dear Sr. Jacintha, we hear your whisper in our ears in the words of St. Paul

“I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith”.

Yes, but it was unimaginable that you left us, suddenly. The inspiring life that you lived is inexpressible. Your love for the family of St. Joseph was remarkable. You were a person who set an example, living the Spirit and Charism of our Congregation. You were a kind, loving, gentle and soft-spoken person. You reached out to everyone in need with your tender radiant smile which soothed their pain. Your approachability has touched many. You were like a ripened fruit ready for God. You were one of the pioneer missionaries of our new Province. Your self - sacrificing and indomitable spirit, determination and perseverance remain as outstanding virtues. We cherish the sweet memories of being with you. Thank you for touching our hearts.

Sr. Jacintha, who was fondly called Mary Rose, was born in Peddabhogili, Seethanagaram in Visakhapatnam Diocese on 1^st August 1952 to Mr. Urlapu Michael and Mrs . Angelamma, who   were devout Catholics. She has five siblings namely Mr. Albert, Vijaya Prasad, Rajeswsar Rao, Rita Grace and Usha Rani. Sr. Jacintha was the eldest daughter. Her parents were teachers in a missionary school run by the Diocese. They educated their children in solid catholic faith. As a child she was very sickly but was miraculously healed. This intervention of God made her mother believe that God has a purpose for this child. She offered Sr. Jacintha, her first born, to God. Her mother nurtured her vocation, and she was her vocation promoter, too. She was also a spiritual as well as academic teacher for her. Her father was strict yet loving. She was a gentle, holy and obedient child in the family. Her mother’s charitable works like helping the poor children by educating them and providing them food etc. continued to inspire Sr. Jacintha all through her life.

She had her Elementary education in the Roman Catholic Missionary Elementary School in Chinnabhogili and her High School studies were in St. Joseph School, Parvathipuram. She felt the call to religious life when she was fourteen while she was studying in Standard IX. Supported by her mother and encouraged by the Sisters of St. Joseph specially Srs. Marie Fabienne and Fernande Marie, she entered St. Joseph’s Novitiate at Waltair on 1st November 1974. She made her first religious profession on 17^th May 1976 and received the religious name, Sr. Jacintha.

Soon after her profession she was sent to Srikakulam Community. From there she was transferred to St. Joseph’s High School, Araku for one year. She worked in St. Joseph's High School, Bhubaneswar for two years. From 1983 to 1987, Sister worked as Headmistress in the Roman Catholic Missionary Cathedral School, Visakhapatnam. After that, she was in Roman Catholic Missionary School, Palakonda for 3 years. In the year 1990 she was given the charge of Sacred Heart High School, Visakhapatnam.

In the year 2002 the Region of was formed. In 2006 the Region was elevated to a Province and Sr. Jacintha was one of the founding administrative members of the newborn Region and the Province. She was a visionary team member with an extraordinary calibre and dynamism and worked with great enthusiasm and zeal. While serving the Province, she continued to be the Headmistress of St. Joseph’s High school Parvathipuram.

Her last years of service in the field of education was in St. Joseph’s High School, Parvathipuram as Headmistress, and there she reached her superannuation.

From the time of entry into religious life to until her death she remained a happy and committed Religious. Her exemplary life attracted many of her students to embrace religious life in different Congregations.

After her retirement she was appointed as the animator of the community at Allipalli in Telengana where she served or the poor children in the Boarding, which was her great desire. In the year 2017 she was asked to be the superior of Ayyannapalem Community in   Khammam Diocese.

In the year 2020 she was sent to the community of Khammam. Due to Covid 19 pandemic, Sisters were asked to make their annual retreat in their own respective communities online. Sister Jacintha felt the need of making her retreat arranged by the Province and went to Cuttack on 5^th of January 2021. On 7th of January, she felt slight uneasiness in her breathing and was taken to Amri Hospital in Bhubaneswar. There she was diagnosed with Chronic Rheumatic Heart disease. She was then taken to Pinnacle Hospital in Visakhapatnam where she underwent Mitral Valve Replacement. The surgery was successful, and she was recuperating. However, on 28^th March once again Sister felt discomfort in her breathing and was taken to Maryland Hospital. God had His own plan for her and called her to her eternal reward on 29^th March at 1.30 pm. which rocked our emotions and left us in pain and with a heavy loss.

On 31^st March 2021, St. Joseph’s Church Waltair, Archbishop Mallavarappu Prakash of Visakhapatnam Archdiocese presided over her funeral mass along with number of priests from wherever the various places she had worked. Also present were several Religious, relatives of Sr. Jacintha, friends and well - wishers, to bid farewell to Sr. Jacintha.

Eternal rest grant to Sr. Jacintha, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.