She dedicated herself to the service of the Lord and mankind
Rev. Sr. Gratia Perera of the Sisters of Franciscan Missionaries of Mary passed away peacefully on August 2, at St. Joseph’s Convent, Piliyandala. She was 97 years old.
Sr. Gratia was the second daughter of the late Dr. Gabrial Perera and late Mrs. Perera of Ma-Eliya, Ja-Ela. She was born to a family of three girls and a boy. Her elder sister Flora Valentine and only brother Hector passed away earlier. Her younger sister Gladys Dissanayake lives in Negombo.
Having successfully completed her initial formation leading up to her novitiate at Mattakkuliya, Sr. Gratia toiled at the General Hospital, Colombo, for nearly 20 years. Her compassion and warmth brought comfort to thousands of patients who came for treatment.
When the Franciscan Sisters left the General Hospital Sr. Gratia continued her mission in another institution- the Fatima Clinic started by the late Rev. Father Peter Pillai. She served this clinic for six years – from 1959 to 1965- when she was beckoned to another form of apostolate, at St. Anthony’s Convent, Borella.
In 1967, she was invited to direct the Sisters at the Franciscan Convent in Negombo, as their Superior. She was instrumental in building the premises in which the Negombo Convent is presently situated.
In 1972, she was appointed Provincial and she had the rare privilege of being the first Sri Lankan Provincial of her congregation. She served as the Provincial of the Congregation for many years with dedication and devotion.
Later she served at several convents of her congregation including Borella, Polonnaruwa, Rajagiriya and Moratuwa.
During these past 74 long years, in addition to being the Provincial of the congregation, Sr. Gratia served her congregation in many capacities in various parts of the country. Her services as a nun, as a Superior and finally as the Provincial were outstanding.
She reiterated on many occasions that the secret of her fruitful career as an apostolate was her closeness to God and giving prominence to God in all her day to day activities. Her deep-rooted Christianity was her strength and what gave vigour to her life. “To give and not to count the cost, To fight and not to heed the wounds, To toil and not to seek for any rest, To labour and not to ask for any reward, Except to know that I do thy will, O God:” These soul- stirring words of St. Ignatius of Loyola would have undoubtedly urged Rev. Sr. Gratia Perera to dedicate herself unreservedly to the service of the Lord and that of mankind.
Sr. Gratia always followed the rules of her congregation to the last letter. Even at the later stages of her life she did not take a single day off more than permitted by her Superior when she visited her relatives. She would return to the Convent after such visits on the exact date and time.
Sr. Gratia performed her duties cheerfully with dedication and devotion. She has always lived a simple and an exemplary life. She seemed to follow the motto of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus that ‘Love is repaid by Love alone’.
It is said that greatness is never measured by birth, wealth or fame, nor by the worth of one’s material possessions, but those in whose hearts you live. Sr. Gratia is a good example of this.
Notwithstanding her duties and commitments in the religious life, Sr. Gratia never lost touch with the members of her family. She had a large circle of relatives consisting of nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and grand nieces, and great- grand-nephews and great-grand nieces. She never forgot to send her relatives a card for a birthday and for special occasions like Easter and Christmas and visit them whenever possible.
Deep in our hearts she will always stay loved and remembered. May her gentle soul rest in the peace of the Lord whom she served faithfully.