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'Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? He is not here; he has risen.’ Luke 24:5-6 “When they came to Jesus, they found he was already dead, and so one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance and immediately there came out blood and water.” John 19:33-34 2008 Issue 1 (March) Obituary - Sr Scholastica |
KCP Magazine Obituary: Sr Scholastica Carrillo OSB Sister Scholastica Carrillo, OSB (Josefina) Sister Scholastica or Josefina as she was baptized, was born in San Sebastian, Sr Scholly stayed in Kalumburu for two years and wanted to stay forever, but was required to go to Bindoon Boys Town near Perth – moving between Bindoon and New Norcia orphanage for some years. She taught the children sewing and cooking, helping to lift up their lives. In 1965 her dream was achieved of returning north to her beloved Kalumburu aboriginals. From this time her days and nights were filled with care and concern for the people. Teaching the children, nursing, assisting as midwife - with long nights in the clinic - cooking, sewing, baking, caring for fowls, looking after the church – her days for God were indeed well filled. As the years passed mobility became a problem for Sr Scholly and she took to riding a quad bike which zoomed around the aboriginal settlement amongst the people who loved her and delighted to see her. She was also a favourite with tourists and photographers. Photos of her on her motor bike have spread all over Australia, in many magazines. The last visit of Sr Scholly to Spain was in 1999. Her one and only niece asked her if she would still go back to Kalumburu. The answer was ‘of course’ adding that Kalumburu was her place and she had no intention of leaving it. She loved Kalumburu and its people. It was because she had devoted her life unselfishly to others showing never ending care and concern for them that she was nominated and received and Order of Australia Medal in 1995. In her latter days Sr Scholly suffered from many illnesses and took seven different tablets every morning and evening. She used to say “These tablets are very clever. I take them all together and they know where to go!” She had a very bad fall last December 7 and was taken to the Wyndham hospital. After some days stay in the hospital, she asked the doctor if she could be allowed to go back to Kalumburu before Christmas. The doctor said if she were able to clean-up by herself and take a bath then her wish will be granted. Upon hearing it, Sr Scholly immediately tried and made the effort to take a bath without the assistance from the nurses. After it was done, she asked the doctor, “Did I pass the test?” The doctor allowed her to go back to Kalumburu on December 18. Obviously, Sr Scholly was really happy to be back and everybody was also delighted to see her, but the following day, December 19, she said her pain was unbearable and no comfortable position could make her at ease. At 11.00am, Fr Anscar, the Parish Priest was called to give the anointing to Sr Scholly. Sr Visi, Sr Catalina and Fr Anscar were praying the rosary when Sr Scholly died peacefully at 11.25am on December 19. Bishop Christopher Saunders presided at her funeral on December 29. “Sr Scholly was a passionate woman…” he said. She was passionate about everything. She was passionate about her work, her love for the people, her love for the Church. She had suffered during the Civil War in Spain before becoming a Benedictine Sister and such suffering made her, not bitter but rather compassionate towards the sufferings of others. She loved with every bit of her ability the people she served and God whom she praised faithfully and adored as she lived out her consecrated life happily at home in Kalumburu. She never sought comforts or luxuries for herself. She lived simply and considered herself privileged to be part of the Church, the mystical body of Christ, so that she might serve God in humility and faithfulness. “It was typical of her that the night she fell she was up late praying for the Kalumburu boys in prison and for their families. When I visited her in hospital she recounted the words of St Theresa of Avila ‘Well Lord, if this is how you treat your friends, no wonder you don’t have many.’ This was followed by a bout of that infectious laughter for which she was famous. Those beautiful black eyes flashed with joy and a touch of mischief. “She taught us so much, all of us, by her prayer filled life of sacrifice. Her example of plain honest goodness was an inspiration to anyone who wants to do God’s will and serve Him faithfully. Whatever she did, she did for the love of God.” May she rest in peace. |
Spain on March 15, 1917. She had two brothers, both now deceased. She left Spain on October 12, 1948 and entered the Benedictine Order in New Norcia, near Perth, Australia. After her profession in 1950 she was sent to study midwifery and was then assigned to Kalumburu in 1954. Sister soon found herself delivering many babies. Some of these very ones came immediately to the convent when they heard the news about the death of Sr Scholly. They mourned for the loss of their ‘mother’ or ‘Mum Scholly’ as they affectionately called her.