In fact, 64th Death Anniversary of Mother Mary Bernadette Kispotta, Servant of God was on 16 April 2025 who had left from earth to heaven on 16 April 1961. But for some indispensable reasons, it was celebrated on 4thMay 2025 (third Sunday of Easter) in St. Mary’s Cathedral Ranchi together with the Christian faithful. His Grace Vincent Aind, DD, Archbishop of Ranchi Archdiocese presided over the Holy Mass at 8.00 a.m. while Rev. Fr. Anand David Xalxo, Parish Priest of Cathedral cum Vicar General of Ranchi Archdiocese and Rev. Fr. Francis Minj, SJ concelebrated with him. Many Priests from various Institutes too joined the Eucharistic celebration. Before the Holy Mass began, Rev. Sr. Mary Pushpa Tirkey, DSA, First General Councillor warmly welcomed everyone. Rev. Sr. Sujata Kujur, DSA, Provincial Superior of Ranchi Province and Rev. Sr. Eva, OSU, Provincial Superior of Ursulines, Ranchi Province also were present on the auspicious occasion. Sr. Sunita Xalxo, DSA and Sr. Sangeeta Kujur, DSA were the masters of ceremony throughout the thanksgiving Mass. A short introduction of Mother Bernadette, Founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Anne was presented by Sr. Sunita Xalxo.
Archbishop Vincent Aind, DD, in his homily underlined the Epistle readings and Gospel passage of the day which narrates the disciples of Jesus fishing at the Sea of Tiberias. He began saying that now-a-days the tendency of suicide is increasing not only among the youth but also the elderly people because they have not recognized the source of life that makes human life meaningful and worth living. In today’s Gospel (John 21:1-19) too the disciples of Jesus had gone back to their old occupation having been disappointed after the death of Jesus, their Teacher. Simon Peter directly told the other disciples that he was going fishing and they also followed him. But unfortunately, they did not get any fish, not even to eat. They did not succeed when they did according to their own planbut were very successful when they did according to the command of Jesus. Similarly, we are not that successful when we follow our own designs but are always full of joy and good success when we walk according to God’s instructions.
Prior to the final blessing, Rev. Fr. Francis Minj, SJ presented a brief report of the process of Mother Bernadette’s beatification. And after the final blessing, Rev. Sr. Jacinta Kerketta, DSA, one of the General Councilors proposed the vote of thanks to all participants. At the end, floral homage was paid by main celebrant, all the Priests as well as the present Religious and Christian faithful. Thus, the 64thDeath Anniversary of Mother Mary Bernadette, Servant of God was celebrated in prayerful and devotional atmosphere and all experienced God’s special graces and blessings through her.