Mother Mary Bernadette Prasad Kispotta, Servant of God
Mother Mary Bernadette Prasad Kispotta, Servant of God was born of Puran Prasad Kispotta and Paulina on 2nd June 1878 in Sargaon, a small village under Mandar Parish of Ranchi Archdiocese. Her father Puran Prasad married another woman Margaret due to the untimely death of his first wife Paulina, while Bernadette was too small. Unfortunately, Puran’s second wife also died and he married Mukta in order to take care of his little baby Bernadette. Thus, Bernadette was taken care of by three mothers as well as her elder mother, wife of Puran Prasad’s elder brother-Prabhu Prasad. Nevertheless, she missed her own mother who left her for ever in her early childhood. So, Bernadette’s dad Puran brought her to Siromtoli, Ranchi where he lived with his family and used to go to the Ranchi court as a Mukhtar i.e., a holder of the power of attorney.
Before the arrival of the Catholic faith in this part of Chotanagpur, the Lutheran and Anglican Missionaries had already spread the Christian faith over here. Hence, Puran Prasad and his family had accepted the Lutheran faith in the beginning. Subsequently, Bernadette also was baptized in the Lutheran Church on 9th June 1878 as Christ Anandit Ruth Kispotta. But after the arrival of Fr. Constant Lievens, S.J., a Belgian Missionary on 17March 1885, many were converted to Catholic Church including the family of Puran Prasad. Since, Bernadette had already started her schooling in a Lutheran School under the care of a Lutheran Pastor, she was strong enough in the Lutheran faith. Consequently, she was reluctant to accept the Catholic faith and remained in the Lutheran school until she acknowledged the Catholic Church as a true Church and eventually was baptized in this Church as Mary Bernadette Prasad Kispotta on 31 July 1890.
With the arrival of other Jesuit Missionaries, the number of the Catholics increased rapidly and there was an urgent need of more missionaries specially for the education of the girls. Hence, at the request of the Jesuit Missionaries to Most Rev. Paul Goethals, S.J., the Archbishop of Kolkata, the Loreto Mothers arrived Ranchi on 19 March 1890. They opened a school for the girls in Purulia Road Ranchi, now Camil Bulcke Path Ranchi. Fortunately, Bernadette and her step sister- Cecilia as well as her cousin Veronica also got an admission in the Loreto School. Thus, three sisters remained in the Loreto’s hostel along with the other girls. While staying with the Loreto Mothers and seeing their dedicated life, these three sisters and one more girl- Mary from Bejang, a nieghbouring village of Sargaon got inspiration to dedicate their life to God in order to serve the people remaining unmarried like the Loreto Mothers. Four of them thought, “How these Sisters had left their dear parents, brothers and sisters as well as their friends and relations, their own country out of love of Jesus and had come to the godforsaken junglee area among the poor and lowly people and how they laboured day and night with great affection to help the souls to reach heaven. They said to themselves that if these Sisters sacrificed and did so much for them, then why should they not be ready to follow their beautiful example and work for the good of their own country and people” (Memoirs, p. 2-3)
In the course of time, the secret thoughts of these four girls were revealed. Consequently, there were many objections and obstacles on their way, yet they remained firm in their determination. Even the Church Authorities were against their decision because it might cause hindrance in their missionary work. On the other hand their family members too opposed them because it was against the custom and tradition of the Tribal society to remain unmarried. Despite all kinds of challenges and difficulties these four girls were so strong in their love of Jesus that nothing could separate them from the love of Christ. Not even the allurement of the golden jewelry and marriage arrangement could keep them from becoming the bride of Christ. Thus, they took a revolutionary step to serve God’s people by dedicating their life unreservedly. Such a wonderful vocation of these girls was ultimately admired and accepted by the Church Authorities and Archbishop Paul Goethals, S.J., allowed them to go ahead in their religious vocation. Finally, after completing the required formation under the guidance of the Jesuit Fathers and Loreto Mothers, Mother Bernadette and her three companions- Mother Cecilia, Mother Veronica and Mother Mary entered into Postulancy on 26 July 1897. With this historic event a new Indigenous Congregation was established as the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Anne Ranchi. Mother Bernadette, the Founder of this Congregation and her three companions became the first four pillars of the DSA Congregation.