Tribute: Livia DeSa – At Rest in Jesus

It was with deep regret that the news of the sudden passing of a gentle, kindly soul into eternity was received in all quarters. Livia DeSa of Little Flower 1, Bandra, breathed her last on February 10, 2022, leaving not only her immediate family but also a cross-section of people—priests, nuns and laypeople alike—shell shocked. 

Born on May 26, 1944, Livia, the fourth of the six children of the late Frank and Amy De Sa, was a teacher by profession and had a long innings in Saint Andrew’s High School, Bandra, from where she retired as Supervisor.

She was associated with the Sisters of the Daughters of Saint Paul on Waterfield Road at Bandra as a Lay Pauline Cooperator. She was among the batch of four that took the Pauline Cooperators’ Pledge on January 25, 2003, establishing the Indian Branch of the Association of Pauline Cooperators founded by Blessed James Alberione in Italy in 1917. Margaret D’Souza was the first of the four to have gone to her reward, followed by Sarah Braganza. Livia’s passing leaves this writer as the sole survivor of the four.

The charism of the Pauline Family [Society of Saint Paul, Daughters of Saint Paul, Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, Lay Pauline Cooperators + 6 others] is to live and give to the world Jesus, Master: the Way, the Truth and the Life.

A Pauline Cooperator brings to the media apostolate of the Pauline Family whatever talent and capabilities they have about the Pauline charism. Livia brought to the apostolate her prowess at teaching.

Apart from her teaching skills, Livia also introduced several individuals to the Bandra Branch of Pauline Cooperators. Quite a few of these who were present at a special Memorial Mass for her organized by the Cooperators at the Daughters of Saint Paul on 15 February 15 promptly rose on request in gracious acknowledgment of her singular contribution to the Cooperators’ apostolate.

Having done her Word Ministry at the Bombay Archdiocesan Seminary, she brought to the Pauline apostolate her perception of the Letters of Saint Paul. She shared her deep scriptural understanding of the Birth, Passion, Death & Resurrection mystery with the Pauline Sisters, Cooperators, and others at their Advent-Christmas celebrations and the Passover Meal during the Lenten Season.

Friar Richard Rohr OFM, an American Priest and writer on Spirituality, says: A mystic is one who has moved from Catechism and doctrines to the experience of God within and without.”

Of Livia, an able Catechist, it can be safely said that she helped translate the mysticism of the Church’s Catechism and doctrines into a substantial godly experience for the benefit of many by her active involvement with Bombay’s Diocesan Pastoral Centre, most specifically about the Catechumenate.

Livia was notably soft-spoken, but when she spoke, everyone listened for she spoke from a thorough grounding in Scripture—something James Alberione would have approved! Indeed, he would be mightily proud of Livia! One of the finest tributes rendered to this woman of substance was the way her former pupil at Saint Andrew’s, Bandra, Austin Norris, presently Parish Priest of Saint Vincent de Paul and Manager of Saint Elias High School, Chuim, Khar West, addressed her till the end: “Teacher.” For her part, Livia was said to have always respectfully addressed him as “Father Austin.”

A person of calibre, Livia was a Spirit-filled woman who, like Paul, had run the race and kept the Faith; a faith-filled woman worthy of emulation as an example of Christian living and a model of the Pauline spirit, she has rightfully gone to be donned with the crown of righteousness reserved for her by the Divine Master, Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Thus, waking up anew in the loving arms of the Lord, may she someday soon intercede with Him for all of us!