It is He who carved her in the palm of his hands, set her apart, called her by
name and consecrated her in this family of SJT for the past 57 years.
Sr. John the Baptist known as Francina Thara Bhai
Singh was born on 7 th June 1942 to Bhadur Rathan
Singh and Mrs kamala Bhadur Singh at Bangalore.
She has one older and three younger brothers and one
younger sister. They belonged to St Francis Xavier
Cathedral Fraser town Bangalore. She hails from a
Brave Courageous Family, who have lived their deep
Faith in Hope and Charity in truth and reality.
Sr John the Baptist lived her Baptismal experience
strongly at home, in School and in the Congregation.
Thara as she was affectionately called, was a name uttered by all especially the
poor and the needy. She always had something to give to them with great
reverence as if she saw Christ living in them. There are many things for which
she will be remembered, but what we will always cherish and remember is her
love for the poor - whether a child, youth or old. Her compassion towards the
sick and the suffering was exemplary.
Sr John the Baptist completed her SSLC and TCH before joining the Convent in
1962.
Sr made her first profession in the year 1965 and her perpetual vows in 1971.
Sister began her teaching ministry in1965 at Conoor, as an assistant Mistress,
since then, Sister devoted 48 years of glorious service to the society with an
outstanding commitment and undaunted spirit. Sister has served almost in all
SJT Institutions in KGF and in St Alphonsus School, Bangalore. She worked for
the poorest of the poor joyfully drawing her strength from the Eucharistic Lord
and identifying him in the poor. Sr John the Baptist also simultaneously played
the role of an animator guiding the sisters and the students with utmost
dedication and Love.
As a Novice, her companions admired her from within the four walls of Silence.
She took the name John de Baptist. To save souls and pray for the Conversion
of Souls was her only Mission. Her spirituality blended well with that of her
Patron Saint. "He must increase and I must decrease”. She lived it concretely
among her companions, always seeking the last place, giving credit to others,
happy to uplift others while living her life" hidden in God Alone! Her sense of
humour and laughter was always a moment of Sunshine for all around her. She
would claim a penance from the Novice Mistress for the mistakes of others,
happy to choose the little way of child Jesus. Sickness or pain was her way of
offering herself for Jesus and with Jesus for the Sinners of our World "to save
Souls" was her definite reason to be a SJT.
There is nothing more powerful than a praying person, Sr. John the Baptist was
both a contemplative and charismatic, she rose early and spent sufficient time
with the Lord. She lived her prayer through the daily activities. Sr. John the
Baptist possessed the beautiful gift of Giving she never kept anything for
herself. She embraced poverty and experienced the joy of the beatitude like St
Francis of Assisi. She was Humble and a simple person who went out to help
others beyond her strength. Accepted the will of God with joy without
questioning. She was a joyful religious.
Sr John the Baptist from 2013 to 2022 suffered from serious illness, but like the
burning bush unconsumed by the fire Sr John the Baptist was not consumed by
fire of her suffering. She remained calm when her body ached in pain and
smiled when in deep struggle and blessed everyone and never complained nor
got irritated rather was grateful to all who visited her. Before they could enquire
she would enquire and assure them of her prayers. Till the end Sister possessed
a rare strength drawing from The cross of Christ and bore the pain with a smile.
And on an appointed day the 8 th August 2022 at 12.14 P.M., God looked at Sr
John the Baptist tenderly and carried her in to His loving arms.
No one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away.
May the ripples caused by you dear Sr John the Baptist continue to live in the
hearts of all the people for whom you lived and served. Good bye sister till we
meet again in heaven.
