Sr. Genevieve winged her way to heaven


Sr. Genevieve winged her way to heaven after much suffering endured with serenity and peace.

Genevieve Battigelli was born in a fervent Christian family on 26th January 1946 at Royapuram, Chennai. She was the 2nd child of ten children born to Mr. Luigi Battigelli and Philomena Mendez. Her parents brought their children up in Christian faith and taught them to love God and love one another. Sr. Rita fma her sister testified that their parents were exemplary and they learnt from them to build a happy and united family. She completed her high school education in Katpadi, Chennai.

She entered the Aspiranate in the year 1963 at Chennai. She made her 1st profession on 5th August 1966 at Casanova – Turin. Soon after her profession she did her studies-Scienza Religiose at Sacro Cuore – Turin. In the year 1970, she returned to Chennai and was appointed as the assistant of the novices at Sacred Heart Novitiate Banglore and there after she was the assistant of the Juniors until 1980.She made her Perpetual profession on 5th August 1972 at Bangalore.She completed her higher grade in music from the Trinity College, Chennai.

1st profession on 5th August 1966 at Casanova – Turin. Soon after her profession she did her studies-Scienza Religiose at Sacro Cuore – Turin. In the year 1970, she returned to Chennai and was appointed as the assistant of the novices at Sacred Heart Novitiate Banglore and there after she was the assistant of the Juniors until 1980.She made her Perpetual profession on 5th August 1972 at Bangalore.She completed her higher grade in music from the Trinity College, Chennai.

In the year 1987 when the province of Kolkata was bifurcated from the province of Shillong Sr. Genevieve was appointed as its first Provincial. With her dynamism, zeal and creativity she brought forward the newly erected province of Mary Help of Christians Kolkata. During her tenure as provincial from 1987 – 1993 five more new communities were opened.As a provincial she gave much importance to the preparation of the animators of the communities as well as the formation and professional training of the sisters. She was active, creative, jovial and enterprising in her task of animation and governance. The sisters remember her as a caring and loving person. She had a golden heart for the poor and needy. The very fact that she opened boarding houses in the mission stations reveal her love and care for the children. In fact inone of her circular letters she recommended the sisters to pick up the daily crosses courageously and shed all other glamour and follow Christ in His saving mission among the poor youth. After her term as provincial she continued to serve the province of Kolkata as animator and vicar, the roles which she carried out with love and dedication.

She was gifted in many ways. Music was her passion. She loved the young people and gave herself without counting the cost. She made sure that the young people were given the best. She could easily win over them with her music and melodious voice. She believed in the saying of Don Bosco "a Salesian house without the music is a body without the soul." Her humorous narration of events made everyone burst into laughter. She was straightforward and outspoken in her ways.

She followed a systematic pattern for her spiritual itinerary. She was devoted to Our Lady and spread her devotion. The sisters who used to attend the retreats in Kurseong, where she was during these last years of her life testify that she was generous in offering her service.

Her contribution to the last Provincial chapter was praiseworthy. She gave her valuable suggestions for the growth of the province and the good of the sisters.

In the month of December 2013 she was diagnosed with the cancer of the lungs which she accepted with serenity and resignation to the will of God. She was undergoing treatment in CMC hospital at Vellore residing at Sacred Heart Home Katpadi. Her last days were spent in the home of her brother Angelo in Bangalore where she breathed her last on 5th May 2014 at 11.30 a.m.