Sister Bijay Kumari Toppo

Sr. Bijay was 52 years of age and had lived 22 years in Religious life. Sister Bijay Kumari Toppo was born on 2nd January 1969 in Bemerla village in the state of Jharkhand. Her parents, Mr. Benedict Toppo and Mrs. Margaret Ursula Kujur both are very devout couples who bring up their children in a good respectable Catholic home.

Bijay Kumari is their second eldest child. Altogether they were five siblings. Three boys and two girls. All of them had their opportunity to attend school up to the Middle English level in their village, Bemerla. On completing the M.E. level, Bijay Kumari proceeded to pursue her Secondary Academic level at Anugra Prestavick High School Bemerla, Jharkhand

Bijay Kumari received God’s call to be a religious, while she was studying in class IV, but though young as she was, she kept it to herself till she completed her secondary schooling. At the time, while she was reflecting on what to do next in her life, her friend who was already with the RNDMs sisters inspired and encouraged her to join religious life. When RNDMs sisters went to visit her family, she decided to join the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. Kolkata in 1993

Bijay Kumari was accepted to begin her Aspirancy at the Queen of the Missions Convent, Park Circus, Kolkata. Having completed the period of Aspirancy, she continued to deepen her understanding of her call as a Postulant in St. Joseph’s Convent, Shillong Meghalaya in 1994. Bijay Kumari was opened to the guidance of the Directress. Her childlike simplicity and spontaneity won the love and affection of her companions. By nature she was very optimistic and positive in outlook. Having completed the period of Postulancy, she was granted permission to continue her search for God in the religious life, through initiation to the Novitiate on 31st December 1995. As a novice, Bijay Kumari was docile and gracefully adapted herself to the formative years and applied her lifestyle of the community way of living. Politeness was another positive asset she possessed. Through her prayers and reflection and guidance of her Formators, her love for God and her understanding of the spirituality of the Congregation grew deeper each day.

After two years of intensive formation in the Novitiate, Bijay Kumari Toppo was given permission to make her first profession on 6th June 1998 at Mariam Nilaya Novitiate, Bangalore. Sister Bijay Kumari Toppo was missioned to India North-East Province and the Community of St. Joseph’s Convent Jaïaw, was her first mission. She was fully involved in teaching in the English School from 1998 to 2002. Besides teaching, she was also given charge of catering for the community. Her next mission was St. John Bosco’s Convent, Sohra (2003- 2005) to help in the Primary School and to take care of the house girls.  The mission gave ample opportunity  to visit the family around Sohra. While Sister was in Sohra, she did her Pre-University Course in Hindi as a private candidate. Having been for a few years in the mission field, Sister Bijay Kumari went to continue her graduation in Hindi from 2005 to 2007 in Jharkhand. She came out with flying colors. This degree became an additional empowerment for her teaching career in Hindi.

After her graduation Sister Bijay Kumari was sent to Euphrasie Barbier Convent, Tluh to teach in the Primary School and to involve herself in the community Pastoral ministry as well. She was a person who could adapt herself easily to the culture of the local people. As a missionary, Sister Bijay Kumari was always ever ready to go wherever she was missioned. Like a rolling stone, before she could gather moss; in 2008 Sister was missioned to St. Agnes’ Convent, Haflong, where she was responsible in taking care of the residential girls. Here too her experience was only for two years.

In 2010 from Saint Agnes’ she was transferred to Dona Maria Convent, Panjabari, Guwahati, Assam. Her main apostolate was Pastoral ministry, where she gave herself fully to the service entrusted to her, as she dedicatedly served with devotion to a particular ministry. Before she could plant her feet in the mission, Sister Bijay Kumari was sent to St. Mary’s Convent Laitumkhrah, to take care of the house girls. When the children were in school, Sister occupied herself in teaching in the St. Mary’s Montessori school, Shillong. At that time Sister Bijay Toppo lost her beloved father Mr. Benedict Toppo on 26th December 2012. Sister had the opportunity to be with the bereaved family during the winter months. The loss was ir-reparable for Sr. Bijay Kumari and her family. Yet, the Lord has his own plan, so sister Bijay offered her difficulties to the Lord and to Our Lady who wiped their tears from their eyes. Sr. Bijay Kumari continued to let the light of Christ shine in her life by joining the community of U Khrist Jingshai Marbisu from 2014 to 2015. She was involved in the pastoral ministry as well as in the School. In 2016 Sister Bijay was missioned to St. Joseph’s Convent Jaiaw, where she was placed again in the teaching ministry at the English Section Secondary School till 2019.

In 2020 she was missioned to teach Hindi in St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, the job she likes. While Sister Bijay was enjoying sharing her wisdom with the students in the School, one day when she went to see the doctor for her health checkup, unexpectedly she was diagnosed with advanced cancer. In spite of the shock so to say, Sr. Bijay Kumari was able to cope with the situation. From then on, she was on medication and though she responded to the medication very well, yet, she suffered a lot. Sr. Bijay started chemotherapy  from June 22nd, 2020 and 2nd of February 2021 supposed to be the tenth Chemotherapy for her. Sr.Bijay Kumari moved about in the community according to her wish and she was trying her best to cooperate with the doctor’s directions. But in the month of January her health had gone down very fast and she was bound to be in her room until she had to be taken to Robert Hospital for the last time on 29.January 2021 till she breathed her last at 9.30 a.m. on 3rd February 2021.

Sr. Bijay Kumari Toppo had suffered a lot particularly in the last few days till she succumbed to her serious sickness. But her positive disposition was admirable. Let us pray for Sr. Bijay Kumari Toppo that God who knows her needs and who is full of mercy and compassion grant her eternal reward.

“God has called you and He will not fail you”. Thes.5:23.

May God grant her Eternal rest!