SISTER JYOTSNA MARIA CORRAYA

Sister Jyotsna Maria Corraya was born in Toomilia Parish, Bangalhawla, Kaligonj, Gazipur, Bangladesh in 1971. Jyotsna was the only daughter of Mr. John Corraya and Mrs. Martina Rozario and was born after three boys. Sadly, last year, 2019 her elder brother passed away and certainly it was not easy for Jyotsna to cope with the death of her elder brother. Jyotsna left behind her two brothers, three sisters in-law, nieces and nephews. Jyotsna had deep faith in God from childhood. She received the Christian faith from her devout and beloved parents.

Jyotsna did her primary and secondary education at St. Mary’s High School, Toomilia, Kaligonj, Gazipur. After completing her SSC in 1990, she joined the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions and began the aspirancy formation program in Chittagong. Her Postulancy was in 1991. She entered the novitiate in St. Scholastica’s Convent, Chittagong, in 1993. She made her first profession on 4th January, 1995 at St. Scholastica’s Convent, Chittagong and made her Perpetual Vows on 12th September in 2003 at St. Christina Church, Mohammadpur, Dhaka. Soon after, she undertook the higher secondary certificate (HSC) studies at St. Mary’s Holy Cross College, Dhaka. In 2001, Jyotsna went to Shillong, India to continue her studies and obtained her degree (Honours) in Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. She attended RNDM International TP Sisters’ gathering for a month in Nairobi, Kenya in 2001. The international gathering had enriched her experience of diverse cultures and learned to love and respect them. She was thankful to the province and congregation for the opportunities she had. Above all, Jyotsna was ever grateful to our loving God for all the blessings she received through the congregation.

Jyotsna did a short course of six weeks on Psycho Spirituality in Mysore, India in 2006. She attended the Religious Formation course of one year in Dublin, Ireland and two years for Masters in ‘Applied Christian Spirituality’ from 2008 to 2010. The Congregation Leadership Team appointed Jyotsna as a director of Novices in the Province of Bangladesh for a term of three years in 2012 and reappointed for a second time in 2015. She expressed that it was a very enriching experience for her to work with the young women in the formation house for six years. Jyotsna helped our young women to become better persons and accompanied them in vocation discernment for religious life. Surely, Jyotsna will be remembered not only as a novice director but also as a great mentor by all her novices and sisters. She was sincere in her prayer life and had great desire to give her best in the service of God.

In 2018, The Congregation Leadership Team chose her as one of the Chapter Planning Commission (CPC) members to prepare for the 28th Congregation General Chapter. As a CPC member she attended meetings with the CLT, the chapter facilitator and CPC members in Rome. She was one of the delegates from the province to the 28th Congregation General Chapter which took place in Hua Hin, Thailand. She contributed a lot in liturgy and other preparations as CPC member.

On 24 July 2018 she was appointed as one of the Province Leadership Team (PLT) members in Bangladesh Province. She was the liaison person for formation co-ordination. Besides, she was in-charge of A Level in S.F.X. Greenherald International School, Dhaka. She also gave her valuable time in the province archive.

Jyotsna was a community person, she was very obliging and generous, ever ready to help anyone at any time. Her loving nature and personality were seen in her relationships with the young and old alike. Her first mission was in St. Scholastica’s Convent, Chittagong. She helped Sr. Benedict Gomes at St. Benedict Crèche, prepared catechism classes for the children in the parish who were preparing for confirmation, first holy Communion, and first confession. She taught religious studies in St. Scholastica’s Girls High school and took charge of the sisters’ kitchen for a year. Jyotsna was missioned to Jyotidham community, Bagerhat where she worked for three years and six months. In the Parish school, Jyotsna taught sacramental preparation classes for Catholic children and visited Maria Polli where the poor and backward Christian communities who are living in Bagerhat. She also worked in Mariam Niketon community, Natore, where she served in the school and pastoral ministry. She shared her Christian faith with people of other faiths.

On 22 July, 2020, Jyotsna made a cake and prepared delicious meal for Sister Mohini Agnes Pathang’s birthday. After the morning Mass, Mohini cut the cake and we enjoyed the birthday celebration. We had a special Mass and prayer for Mohini, prepared by Joytsna, Sonya Anna Rozario and Purobi Pascalina Chiran. We had a very relaxed and enjoyable time together as a community and heartily laughing as we listened to Mohini who was sharing about her life and experience. After our prayer we had a very nice meal prepared by Jyotsna and continued a great time of sharing together. We never dreamt that this was the last time together.

The next morning, Jyotsna felt unwell and was immediately taken to the hospital, but unfortunately, she was declared dead at 12:30 pm on 23 July, 2020. We were greatly shocked and disturbed by Jyotsna’s sudden and unexpected death. We cannot believe even now that Jyotsna is gone, it was all in a sudden. She was 49 years of age and had lived over 25 years as an RNDM. Jyotsna will be forever remembered for her kindness, generosity and loving nature. Her body was laid to rest in Mohammadpur Sisters’ Cemetery.

Funeral Mass was celebrated in Marialoy Chapel, Mohammadpur, Dhaka by Most Rev. Bishop Shorot Francis Gomes, Bishop of Dhaka, concelebrated by eight priests and a large number of people attended. Among them were many of Jyotsna’s family members from Toomilia Parish. After the Holy Mass, Sister Reba Veronica D’ Costa, Province Leader thanked all those present for their love and support to the relatives of Jyotsna. Sister Reba also thanked all the sisters across the congregation and friends who have sent condolence messages, email, phone calls and for the support at this time of Jyotsna’s sudden demise. In spite of sadness, it gave us comfort to know that our sisters are thinking and supporting us as we grieve our sister’s death. We deeply appreciate their sympathies. May God receive Jyotsna Maria Corraya in a special place where she will be watching over us, the people who loved and cherished her.

+ May her soul rest in God’s eternal peace.