REMEMBERING ANACLET

 On 9th April it will be two months since our sister Anaclet A’Kattar answered the call of the Father. Time has strengthened her presence among us. It is another kind of presence perhaps stronger than physical presence. This we can gather from some of the testimonies of those who were close to her – Sisters from the community, members of her family, Holy Family Sisters who experience her heartfelt welcome, kindness and affection. We will let some of these speak from their heart:

Anaclet

“You did not separate yourself from those who live under the common law,” (1851 Preface) you accompanied us along part of our way. You were chosen, loved and, without shining, lit our path by your faith.

Thank you Anaclet, because you believed in Love, because you faith radiated around you, even when the light escaped through the cracks and brokenness of human existence. The faith you received as a gift always triumphed in you. It is hard to believe when the path is dark but we saw you believe even in darkness.

Thank you, because the void you have left brings out the best in us, we want to serve the Gospel better. You gave us the example. Life arises from death. We will continue walking the narrow path of faith… “Nothing can now check our course.”

Thank you, because even though we see that faith is growing cold on earth, we feel a growing desire to share this great fire…a gift that burns in our heart.

Thank you, because this General House, here in Rome, continues uniting the extended Family from all over the world…and we as a community on mission, we continue creating an atmosphere that helps to transmit the flame of faith, to put it on the mountains of the world, to light the way for all who walk in darkness and the shadow of death. So we, with our little lights, quivering but united to the new fire of the never-ending holy night, celebrate the liturgy of the Universal Passover. Christ is risen with all those who believe in Him. Those who ‘choose life’ will never die…  Thank you Anaclet!  

Mari Carmen Leach (General House Community)

Anaclet’s brother, Justin, wrote a letter to her after her death in which he recalls moments of her life which were both witness and teaching for the family. He published it on the family website, www.kattar.ca :

After Mass you would joyfully greet us and everyone at home with an embrace and kiss. Your sweet smile was so infectious, for whatever we had in our mind would vanish and make us joyful.

Every action was a prayer for you. You tied a scarf around your head like little Bernadette before you set out to pick flowers on the wayside for it was so cold in the morning and you said, “May the Lord give us nice flowers for Our Lady.” After returning with a bumper harvest as the Lord was so generous in answer to your prayers, you would immediately thank the Lord, “See what beautiful flowers He strewed on the wayside for us to gather, praise the Lord.”

During the days we spent in
Rome, you looked so happy and cheerful in our company and so pleased to do anything we asked of you. The day we were leaving
Rome from the convent, you carried our bags and loaded them in the car. We were very upset that you did this when we knew that you shouldn’t be doing such things. You simply smiled and said, “Don’t worry, the Lord has taken care of me so well all these years and He will continue to care for me.” We learned from you to place all our trust and faith in the Lord, to surrender everything into his hands.

You had a big heart to be nice to all and an unlimited enthusiasm to help anyone in need. In all your actions your life was an example that we should always follow Jesus and lead others to him.

All those who have been touch by dear Sr. Ani’s warmth and friendliness and constantly over-whelmed by her kindness beyond counting surely would join with us in our experience and be happy to think of the words of St Paul: I thank my God each time I think of you, and when I pray for you, I pray with joy…! Justin Kattar

“I lived two happy years with her. I felt free knowing that she approved of any of my initiatives. When anyone proposed anything she always admired it. She was interested in everything. I now understand better her desire to live… Maybe she felt that life was escaping her…She was a very humble person, often asking advice from others. She always agreed to proposals to invite family or friends…When I think of Anaclet I still see her concerned look that did not judge, her acceptance and silence… She prepared community prayer with great care and gave a spiritual touch to all our meetings…I understand that Anaclet’s great occupation was prayer…at night she spent long periods in the chapel. When I think of her the words that come spontaneously are: compassion, service, serenity, prayer…She was a Holy Family Sister according to the heart of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles. It was easy and agreeable to live with her and for this reason we will greatly miss her.

Marie Madeleine Fedrigo (General House Community)

Sister Ancilla James writes in the name of the Sisters of Jaffna, Anaclet’s Province of origin:

Anaclet came to
Colombo on the 12th, met a few of her loved ones and contact many to share about her surgery and to request prayers. She went to
India for the heart surgery, unaware that she would not come back alive. I would like to speak of some aspects of her life which touched the lives of our sisters and left an indelible mark.

Anaclet, a unique person, woman of faith, rooted in the love of God with the conviction He never abandons anyone.

Anaclet, a woman of prayer, drawn towards long periods of prayer and contemplation, found inspiration and strength from the Word of God, gave herself totally to God and believed in Him. She allowed herself to be led by the Holy Spirit and was always ready to live her ‘yes’.

Anaclet, a good communicator who built bridges, lived and witnessed to communion wherever she was. Her openness to embrace all into the one family enabled her to live internationality in a concrete and radical way.

Gentleness, simplicity, humility, compassion towards the poor and the abandoned, respect for others, affection and sense of humour were some of the qualities that drew people closer to her and to God. In imitation of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, her models and inspiration, she always lived the Spirit of God Alone.

She recognised God’s abundant blessings on her, her family, her province and the Institute and was full of gratitude and generosity towards everyone, especially God.

We miss her physical presence, her joyful smile, her encouraging words, and her sense of humour, her loving relationships and her companionship.

Thank you, Anaclet for your life and love for all of us in the
Province of
Jaffna. May you enjoy the eternal bliss for which you longed and lived for.

Sr Ancilla James (Provincial,
Jaffna)

“Where is our dear Anaclet? Whether she is here on earth or in heaven her guiding presence is with us. Those who bloom in the hearts of others never fade away.” (Adapted from a Tamil song)

“I have tried to become everything for everyone of God’s children, Angels! Oh Angels! Open the heavens for me” could possibly have been the song of Sr Anaclet as she entered the gates of heaven. It was one of the action songs that she enjoyed hearing her novices sing. Yes, being a good singer herself, Anaclet passionately loved singing and she not only enriched the liturgy with meaningful and lovely hymns but also a community sing-song. A mixture of feelings and emotions wells up in my heart as I sit down to write something on Anaclet’s life just one month after her death. From the moment I had to give up all hope that Anaclet would regain consciousness, the above two lines from my favourite Tamil song, kept resonating in my heart. “Engay engal Anaclet? Irunthaal enna Pirinthaal enna Kaval emakku pothum amma, oom kaval emakku pothum amma.” Each time I hummed this song I felt an unknown, comforting presence encircling me even though a few teardrops rolled down my cheeks.

I came to know about Anaclet through her younger sister Glory (known as Sr Stany) in the early 80’s while I was a pre-novice. I still remember the prayer of abandonment of our Founder that Anaclet sent four us pre-novices. But my first personal acquaintance with Anaclet was in 1989 as my accompanier during the three months of intense preparation for Perpetual Profession in
India. I was very impressed by her deep spirituality, zeal and enthusiasm for live, real love for the Institute, compassion, concern for each one, her availability to help and many other good qualities. We decided to continue our faith-sharing through correspondence and thus she played a key role in my spiritual growth.

When she was at Ilavalai from 90-92 as Novice Mistress despite her heavy schedule, she made it a point to visit my mother and sister on a regular basis as none of the family, who were scattered all over could have any access due to the war. Needless to say how much gratitude we owe for this enormous relief that she brought to our family by her act of charity. Likewise, she always went out of her way to help anyone who was in need and as a result she had won the hearts of many for the glory of God alone. I am certain that many sisters in the Province will agree with me if I say that Anaclet has touched each one’s life in some way or other and has left a lasting memory. Her novices will have stories to write that can be bound as a book. Before she arrived in Rome in November 2004, her utmost concern had been for the Province, the suffering people of our country and peace in
Sri Lanka. She accepted the responsibility as leady of the local community at the Generalate, no doubt as God’s will, but at the same time, though she felt incompetent to some extent, saw it as an opportunity to manifest her love and gratitude to the Institute by rendering her service in this manner. She also though that it would be an honour for her Province which is making efforts to be generous in sharing personnel according to the greater needs of the big Family. Soon she became international in her heart, mind and body and used all her strength and energy to care for each and every one who stepped into our house. I would say that life was not a bed of roses for her yet we often marvelled at her ever-readiness to be of service, always with a smile. If someone expressed the desire to eat something special she was prepared to cook, if someone felt lonely or sad she was ready to listen, if someone wanted to relax a little she would make her self free, if someone had a joke she would join in the laughter, if someone was alone she was available to accompany, if someone was angry she was willing to forgive, if some was sick she was there to care, hence she became everything for everyone. I wonder did she have a premonition that she had very little time left to live with us that she felt compelled to do things, not minding her health. Was that the reason that she seemed over-enthusiastic? To be honest I couldn’t keep pace with her and at times I felt it was too much for both herself and others as well. As Sr Winie said, ‘nothing could stop her from doing something when she determined’ and she accomplished it without grumbling or any ill feeling that she had to do it by herself.

So dear Anaclet you will live in our hearts forever. We have learned from you the precious joys that only caring brings. Thank you. Enjoy you blissful reward in heaven!


Puvana Thuraisamy (General House Community)