Rev. Mother Mary Matilda S.M.A
Rev. Mother Mary Matilda S.M.A
The faithful collaborator of Our Founder
(1880-1950)
Josephine Caumont, was born at Tours, France on December 13, 1880. When her mother joined the SMA Sisters in 1897, Josephine was Just seventeen. But the fire of Gods’ love Burst into flame and she too said goodbye to the world to give her entire life to God in his love and service. She was received into the congregation of the SMA on September 29, 1898 of the same day that her mother made her professions and her brother Charles (Fr. Gregory) was ordained.
Josephine made her commitment to God on August 12, 1900 and took the name Mary Matilda. Her final commitment took place on August 12, 1903. That same year she came to India to serve his daughter in his own way for the task he had in store for her. In 1911 while laying the Foundation of the Mission Sister of Ajmer, Bishop Foutunatus Henri Caumont requested the Congregation of St. Mary of the Angels in France for a helper. Fortunately enough, his own Sister, Mother Mary Matilda, was appointed in Feb 1911 to collaborate with him.
The congregations of the Mission Sisters of Ajmer took birth on April 26, 1911. One of the first tasks that Bishop Caumont entrusted to the Mission Sisters was the care on the poor, unloved the unwanted destitute children of the diocese under the guidance of Mother M. Matilda, the handful of Mission Sister not only cared for the unloved orphans but sought the poor street children and cultivated in the them the habit of coming to school. St. Imelda’s school was started for orphans.
In 1919 Sophia School was started as a residential school to cater mainly to the education of Rajput girls who were victims of the Strict ‘Purdah” system and had no chance of receiving education. ‘Sophia’ in Greek means wisdom with its motto ‘giving wisdom to little ones ‘Mother Matilda was appointment as the ‘First Principal’.
Mother Mary Matilda was one of the first ladies to work for the education of women in Ajmer, which was there considered the education center of Rajputana. She was honored with the title ‘The first Lady in the Cause of Women’s Education’ In 1925 Mother M. Matilda was appointed Girl Guide Commission. In 1926, she was obliged to take up the post of Inspectress of Girls’ High Schools in Ajmer Mewara a post she was requested to take on by the Education Department. She radiated God’s love to everyone and encouraged them in their noble work of educating girl-children of Rajputana.
In the work of giving good news to the poor and rural apostolate for the uplift of the women, she encouraged her small band of sisters to visit villages. In spite of a few hands mother Matilda sent Sister to do their nurses’ training in 1936.
On August 12, 1950 Mother M. Matilda completed fifty years of her religious life. The congregation had decided to celebrate the event on September 8, 1950. But God would have otherwise. On August 18, 1950 she went round to every department of the house encouraging the Sisters with her cheerful words. That very night, she heard the Master call her home to her reward. She rose and rang the small bell near her bed and the Sisters came quickly around her At 1:00 a.m on August 19, 1950 with the words ‘ Jesus Mercy’ on her lips, Mother Matilda slept peacefully in the Lord.
