Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph

Fame of sanctity of Venerable Mary Glowrey at the time of death

01 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2026

The people of Guntur and all who came into contact with Sr. Mary of the Sacred Heart recognized the holiness of her life. Immediately after her death on 5 May 1957, numerous tributes testified to her virtue, humility, missionary zeal, professional dedication, and loving service to the sick and poor. Her death was seen as the culmination of a life faithfully devoted to God and humanity.

Mother Arnoldine van Bussel, writing on the day of her death, described the remarkable peace and beauty on Sr. Mary’s face after her long suffering and expressed the conviction that the Congregation had gained a powerful intercessor in heaven. At her Requiem Mass the following day, Bishop Ignatius Mummadi described her as “something special in God’s creation, something very fine.”

Tributes from medical, religious, and civic circles highlighted the extraordinary impact of her thirty-six years of medical service in Guntur. The Indian Red Cross Society remembered her as a cheerful and hardworking doctor who served with missionary zeal and brought healing and happiness to countless people. Dr. V. Anantaram called her the kindest doctor he had known and one of Guntur’s most worthy citizens.

Members of the Catholic Hospitals’ Association recognized her as a model religious and devoted promoter of the medical apostolate. Her humility, zeal, and leadership continued to inspire many. Sr. Veronica described her as the “soul” of the Association, while others regarded her as an exemplary religious and doctor.

Her missionary dedication was especially remembered. Fr. Theo A. Mathias SJ described her life as a living testimony to the charity of Christ, recalling how she had left Australia to serve the poor in India. Mother Anna Dengel, founder of the Medical Mission Sisters, likewise praised her wholehearted commitment to the medical mission apostolate.

The esteem for Sr. Mary extended beyond the Church and her Congregation. People remembered her as a holy and saintly woman whose healing touch had brought relief and comfort to thousands. She was described as a great treasure and jewel of the mission, deeply loved and mourned by all.

Ecclesiastical authorities also expressed their conviction of her holiness. Archbishop Joseph Mark Gopu of Hyderabad regarded her death as a great loss, yet believed that, as a holy religious rich in good works, she had received her eternal reward and would continue to intercede for those she had served.

Thus, the testimonies following Sr. Mary’s death reveal a widespread, spontaneous, and enduring fame of sanctity. Religious, clergy, doctors, civic leaders, and people from different walks of life independently recognized in her a life marked by holiness, humility, charity, missionary zeal, professional excellence, and selfless service. Her death strengthened the conviction that Sr. Mary of the Sacred Heart had lived as a true servant of God and had faithfully fulfilled her vocation in the service of God and suffering humanity.

Sr. Kochumary Chellakudam
Vice-postulator
Cause of Canonization of Venerable Mary Glowrey