A Requiem Mass for Pope Francis held in Odisha’s Kandhamal

Raikia, April 27, 2025: A Requiem Mass for Pope Francis held in the morning at St. Catherine’s Convent Chapel , Raikia, Kandhamal of eastern Indian state of Odisha.

“His leadership of over some 1.4 billion Catholics globally will be remembered for outreach to women, immigrants and refugees, people from other faith. First non-European wanted to have a poor church for the poor, to always go out to the margins, and to show concern for the natural environment,” says Purushottam Nayak, the Catholic Priest of archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar in his homily.

“Pope Francis focused on social justice and marginalized and his efforts to modernize the Church and engage with other faiths and cultures. He is known as “The People’s Pope” . His encyclical Laudato Si ( On Care for our Common Home) published on 18 June 2015 invites to care for creation and serve the needs of the human family especially the poorest and the most vulnerable,” continued Nayak. 

14 Daughters of Charity sisters pay homage to Pope Francis with great respect and reverence. 

“I am inspired and motivated by his simplicity and humility. He loved more to the children in his life,” expresses Anima Minz, Daughters of Charity sister while giving tribute to Pope Francis.

“Our congregation sisters are fortunate to receive blessings from Pope Francis at Santa Marta guest house,” sobs Minz. 

The orphaned children pay tribute to Pope Francis on his burial day. The Daughters of Charity Sisters take care the Child Care Institute (CCI). There are 21 orphaned children at present at Raikia, Kandhamal

The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, officially called the company of charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, was co-founded in Parish in 1633 by the great saint and Saint Louse de Marillac, to serve the poor and the marginalized.

They have dispensary, schools, and homes for orphaned Children at Kandhamal. They offer pastoral and spiritual support to people in difficulties

The congregation has 60 provinces, 179 members, working in 90 countries. Kandhamal belongs to North India province having 232 members, living in 42 houses, working in 14 dioceses in 10 Indian states.

One of the quotes which is inspiring to me from Pope Francis on service and charity; “Love and charity, are service, helping others, serving others”. May his soul rest in peace wishes Jayanti Singh teacher cum-nun at St. Catherin’s girls’ School.

Pope who died April 21, 2025 at the age of 88 was kept at the Vatican’s Santa Marta guest house, his residence. His funeral takes place April 26, 2025 at St. Mary Major Basilica.  

By Purushottam Nayak