Loving Tribute to Sr. Juliana Xavier

Sr. Juliana Xavier passionately lived her fmm call

The Lord has done great things for me!

Sister Juliana was born into the Mathalil family on June 15, 1933, was baptized on 19th June and was named Juliana as it was the feast day of St. Juliana Falconieri, who had great devotion to the Eucharist. Her father Xavier John Mathalil lived at Panangad, a small island surrounded by the backwaters. The family had to use a boat to travel across for visiting a doctor, for the children to go to school etc.

Her mother Mary Varghese Kachappilly was from Nazareth which was part of Panangad with advanced facilities. Nazareth was also close to the fmm convent in Palluruthy. Her father was a land owner and had business with coconuts and boats. Her father died on June 8, 1974 at the age of 83. Her mother was a house wife and she had plenty to do at home as there were workers for the coconut business and to care for the land. She died on July 2, 1980 at the age of 80. 

Ten children were born into the family out of whom four died at a very young age. In her younger days they were 6 girls and Juliana was the fourth among the girls. Monica, Theresa and Mary were married of at the age of 17, 15 and 14 respectively.

The younger sisters Elizabeth and Annie were teachers and were married, and both are retired now. Annie’s daughter is a Carmelite sister working in Lucknow diocese as a nurse. She had plenty to do at home as there were workers for the coconut business and to care for the land. 

Juliana started her primary school at the age of five. She did her high school at Maradu by travelling in a boat for one hour and half daily. All the schools were coeducational and run by the local management. All her teachers both men and women were of Hindu religion but she felt respected as a Christian. She had a Catholic friend in school and as Juliana was good in studies was able to help all her friends.