A tribute to Sr Amabilis
17 May 2011

I can never finish speaking about Sr Amabilis, for I have volumes to speak about her and narrate my experience of living with her right from the initial stage of my formation. She was a second mother to me from the day I stepped into the Convent and I felt very secure in her hands, for anything I could turn to her.
I am told that our dear Sr Amabilis who came to India at a young age, where  everything was new and different from their own country, yet nothing discouraged them or dampened their spirit of enthusiasm in handing down the precious Pauline charism to the group of girls that joined the first missionaries year after year.
From the outset, Sr Amabilis made herself “an Indian among us Indians,” adapting herself to the customs and culture of the people while at the same time maintaining her strong Neapolitan characteristics such as simplicity, a joyful outlook on life, industriousness and above all her selfless dedication to others.
Sr Amabilis was a very intuitive person and knew how to grasp the signs of the times. With great vision, she promoted and encouraged the sisters, urging them to generously place their gifts at the service of the Pauline mission.
She was a person with a heart full of love and trust in the Lord. She looked tenderly and lovingly at the growth of the sisters and the Province. She was a dynamic person with a creative mind and vision. She was a person who updated herself in her own way about the happenings in and outside the Congregation. She had been a great inspiration for the vocations right from the very beginning. Her vigour and interest in modernizing our apostolate according to the signs of the time is praiseworthy.
Sr Amabilis travelled like St Paul to many parts of our country to carry out the Pauline mission while holding various responsibilities. During her trips to various parts of our country, she had all the physical stamina and charm any human being would desire while she displayed a lot of enthusiasm, zeal and love for the mission by proclaiming Christ through our apostolate. The very person of Sr. Amabilis radiated the joy of belonging to God and her desire to make Him known was the underlying force in her hard work.
Sr Amabilis is the first Daughter of St. Paul I met.   I still remember her smiling face that welcomed me and made me feel comfortable and I felt a kind of certainty that I am called by the Lord to this Congregation. Reminiscing the days of my entrance into the Congregation, I can certainly say that Sr Amabilis had an important role to play in my vocation and formation, for it is she who always helped me, encouraged me and guided me.
What I remember vividly about her is that she could run from the apostolate to the kitchen carrying out multiple tasks at the same time. Yes, she was a valiant woman indeed, full of life, full of enthusiasm sowing wherever she went optimism and joy; I can never forget her witty smile and humorous ways.  She sincerely loved each of us and sought our real good and enjoyed seeing us growing and taking up various responsibilities in which she is prided herself. She loved young people and had a personal care for each one. She made me grow in various stages of my life, for today what I am, is truly due to her personal attention and care over me.  Her optimism helped me to throw away all the fears and build optimism and trust in the Providence and in the grace of the office given to me in obedience.  She knew how to value each person and make the maximum out of every person and every situation.
 Her feet, which had travelled so many miles for the sake of the Gospel, were now wearing out. Sr. Amabilis radiated goodness and good humour wherever she went in spite of the fact that she suffered from severe arthritis of the knees, which progressed to the point that she was unable to walk. Sr Amabilis offered to our Indian Province a wonderful model for responding with grace to the test of suffering and illness. She never complained or lamented over the pain and suffering she endured, but content to offer her sufferings for the progress of the apostolate and for vocations. She teaches us that even age has a message and suffering has dignity and salvific force.
Sr Amabilis since 2002 began to bear the cross of failing health. We have much to learn from her heroic witness and example. It is no secret that Sr Amabilis, as a young person and even during the early years of her life as a missionary in India, was a picture of health, vigour and vitality, in fact she exhibited great physical presence in carrying out various responsibilities: as Superior, vocation promoter, in charge of apostolic departments, Book Centres, and even excelled in the culinary art.
So at this moment, first of all I thank God for the person of Sr. Amabilis and her Pauline vocation. I deeply acknowledge the valuable contribution she has rendered to our congregation, particularly for the Indian Province in its initial stages.
I must say that she was one of the pioneers with great distinction who worked tirelessly, cared and nourished the growth of the province. Even though she leaves us today physically she will always be remembered with gratitude and love.
We remember with gratitude the parents of Sr Amabilis who offered their wonderful daughter generously to the Congregation. We also remember all her near and dear ones.
I am sure Sr Amabilis is already enjoying the beatific vision which she truly deserves.  We will miss her very much but we feel consoled because she has completed her Pauline mission in our land so effectively. We are what we are today as an Indian Province because sisters like her came to our land and planted the seed of Pauline charism years ago. Her hard labour and all the sacrifices attached to it, is bearing abundant fruit here in our Indian soil.
May the good Lord reward her with eternal bliss with the Pauline Family in Heaven!

Sr Ancy John Vallayil
Provincial Superior