The Last Journey of Mother Marie Gemma
All roads led to Carmel Ashram, Makarpura, Vadodara, Gujarat on January 21 at 4.00 pm when the soul of Mother Gemma, the Pioneer-Prioress of the Cloistered Carmel of Prem Jyot Carmel Ashram who served three consecutive terms and more and the first Coordinator of the Association of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, South West India who served here too for three consecutive terms was laid to rest.

It was a solemn Eucharistic celebration – a fitting honour to a saintly religious who lived a spirit-filled life to the full, offering herself entirely to her Beloved JESUS and to all those He sent into her life, like a candle utterly spent. Her last words in her agonizing pain were JESUS, JESUS, JESUS!

The funeral Mass was officiated by two Bishops, the Apostolic Administrator of Baroda Abp. Stanny Fernandes and the Abp. of Gandhi Nagar Thomas Macwan accompanied by 21 priests some of whom had her as their spiritual director and some had made their retreat under her guidance.

The Holy Eucharist began at 4.00 pm. At the Chapel of Our Lady Cause of Our Joy and St. Joseph – the Chapel of Carmel Ashram. The readings chosen were that Mother Gemma was fond of, beginning with the first reading from the Song of Songs, Chapter 2 which says, ‘Come my beloved…for see the winter has past…that I may see your face, and hear your voice for your voice is sweet and your face is beautiful.’ Those words seemed so true about her. Mother Gemma for some time was repeating the words of Our Holy Mother, “Beloved it is time for us to see each other.” The second reading was taken from the beginning of the first letter of St. John, ‘That which we have seen and heard and touched we are communicating to you.’ The archbishop stated that Mother Gemma surely had a mystical experience of the touch of JESUS and of His transforming love that led her to live a joyous life always. And the Gospel was from St. John Chapter 17: that said, ‘Father that they may be where I am.’ Mother Gemma loved this text very much seeing in it JESUS’ tender love that longed to be with us and have us with Him always. These were her sentiments too with regard to her sisters and all she held dear.

After the reception of Holy Communion, Dr Prashant, Mother’s spiritual son spoke from his heart about all that Mother was and all she did for him and for all who came to her. He said, ‘She had the ability to make people feel very special. She loved children and made each little, girl or boy feel she/he was the best in the world. Her understanding of the world, of people, emotions and relationships was outstanding.’ Being a contemplative cloistered nun, he said, ‘she still was the most joyful, vivacious, liberal and broad-minded religious always open to new ideas.’ He also said that she would never take credit for all the good she did throughout her life. ‘For her, it was done only by JESUS – her confidante, her source of wisdom, her Master who moulded her, the one whom she trusted without any doubt, the one whose love transformed her. Although the loss for all of us is huge, the void too deep to be filled, Mother was and will always remain with us. She is now free of the intense pain GOD chose her to endure. Let us never forget her legacy and try to live our lives like her, trusting always in JESUS.’

Shinu Joseph who spoke next said, ‘You would remember her for her sweetest smile.’ And Fr. Isaac SDB, Parish Priest said, ‘She came across as a very humble person in spite of being mentor, counsellor, prioress, retreat preacher; she was overflowing with love and a very unassuming person with a flexible nature.’

Abp. Macwan eulogized that like St. Paul she could say, ‘I live now not I but Christ lives in me.’ Abp. Macwan blessed the body first as he had to leave. Then Abp. Stany blessed the body after which the body of Mother Gemma was taken to the burial ground next to the chapel carried by the Sisters followed by all the priests and her nephew, grandnephew and grandniece. The faithful joined the procession through the side door of the chapel. The last rites were performed by the Parish Priest Fr. Isaac. A cascade of flowers seemed to cover her body – everyone vying with each other to give her the best for the best that she gave to them each time they met her. The face of Mother Gemma still carried a radiant smile right till the last moment. While it was a tearful and extremely painful moment yet there was peace and that was something beautiful – she seemed to share with us the peace and bliss she was enjoying with her Beloved in Heaven and the joy of meeting all near and dear ones. As her soul rests in peace may she continue interceding for all as she has already begun to do. May her soul rest in peace. The KG Province offers prayerful condolences to the sisters of Prem Jyot Carmel Ashram, Vadodara.