These words, so tender and filled with grace, echo in our hearts today as we remember Sr. Rose Fernando. Like the gentle voice of the Shepherd calling His beloved home, Jesus called her and she answered with the same quiet faith and trust that marked her life. See, on the portal He was waiting and watching, not with impatience, but with deep love.

Sr. Rose Fernando was born in 1941, 15th January. She hails from a devout Catholic family of two brothers and six sisters. She entered the congregation of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in 1965, 13th June. She lived a life poured out in service for sixty years serving the Lord joyfully. She held so many responsibilities in the congregation and had travelled to many parts of the world. She was at the service of the Institute in Rome for more than 30 years.

When she returned to Sri Lanka she became a source of inspiration to all of us bearing witness to God’s love and compassion in a unique way. In Sri Lanka too she had been a beacon of light serving the Church by bearing so many responsibilities.

In these tender days, as the world mourns the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we also come together to honor the life of our beloved Sr. Rose—a woman whose spirit echoed the same Gospel simplicity and Franciscan heart that the Holy Father so beautifully embodied.

Just as Pope Francis lived his papacy with humility, mercy, and a deep love for the poor and forgotten, so too did Sr. Rose live her vocation—with quiet grace, unwavering compassion, and a heart wide open to the needs of others. In her own way, she was a reflection of the very charism St. Francis and St. Clare gave to the Church: a life stripped of excess, rich in love, and wholly given to Christ.

To speak of Sr. Rose is to speak of someone who not only believed the Gospel but lived it—in small acts of service, in deep prayer, in gentle presence. And today, as we remember her, we are reminded that holiness is not reserved for saints in history or popes on thrones but can be found in those who walk humbly beside us, quietly radiating God’s love. Her famous motto was, “Act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly”.

Sr. Rose lived her life deeply inspired by the dreams of her foundress, Mary of the Passion. Like her, Sr. Rose let herself be seized by God, who alone could quench her thirst for truth. Her heart beat with a passion for mission, yet it was always grounded in prayer and the Eucharist. For Sr. Rose, adoration and mission were not separate paths—they became one and the same work. She was nourished by Scripture, shaped by the wisdom of the Church Fathers, and radiated a mysticism that was both contemplative and active. With a spirit that was fearless and full of passion, she gave herself wholly to the universal mission of the Church – always with intuitive courage and generous availability. Sr. Rose’s life was a witness to the union of prayer and service, contemplation and action – a legacy that will continue to inspire all who walk the path she so faithfully followed.

Like a rose, she bloomed beautifully in the garden of life. From the early days of her youth, there was already a promise in her spirit—the promise of kindness, of service, of quiet faith. She rooted herself in the rich soil of love, nourished by her devotion to God, to her community, and to those she served.

Each season of her life brought new petals of grace. In her words, in her prayers, in her presence we saw compassion unfold. She carried herself with a soft strength, never demanding attention, yet drawing people in with her warmth and wisdom. Like the rose that stands tall, even amid thorns, Sr. Rose walked through life’s trials with resilience and humility.

She gave of herself fully just as a rose gives its beauty without asking for anything in return. Her laughter, her prayers, her gentle guidance—all were gifts she offered freely, making the world around her just a little more gentle, a little more beautiful.

And now, her season has passed. The petals have fallen, one by one, and we feel the ache of her absence. But just as the fragrance of a rose lingers in the air long after it fades, so too will the memory of Sr. Rose linger in our hearts. Her love, her faith, her quiet example—these remain with us, like a gentle scent carried on the breeze of our lives.

In God’s eternal garden, Sr. Rose has been gathered – not lost, but transformed. She is now part of a beauty that knows no end, where no frost can wither, and no time can fade. Let us not mourn only her passing, but give thanks for her blooming. For in knowing her, we were touched by something truly sacred—a rose that bloomed not for herself, but for others.

Today we also remember her loved ones far and near grieving her loss. They were of great support and strength at all times. Their visit just a few weeks ago brought her immense joy.

Rest in peace, dear Sr. Rose. Your petals were soft, your roots were deep, and your spirit will forever be in full bloom.