Monday, May 14, Darjeeling

Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Darjeeling. Attached to Loreto Convent

Sr Elizabeth's funeral procession winds down toward the cemetery

St Teresa's students from the hostel pray around Sr. Elizabeth's grave

Buddhist monks in Darjeeling

This was the first regular day of school at North Point and St. Michael’s. Michelle still wasn’t feeling well but managed to make the assembly and a few classes.  She is teaching life sciences. Nicki, also at North Point, is teaching sciences. At St. Michael’s, Jackie has chemistry and math classes, Sarah has history and english and Natalie is supporting the music program.

Sr. Elizabeth’s funeral was held at the Cathedral church attached to Loreto convent.  At 8:30am the open coffin was processed from the convent to the church. For the next hour or so, over a thousand mourners came forward presenting their khadahs, laying them across her body. Fr. Kinley preside with about 35 priests con-celebrating. The singing was beautiful and the service moving. More khadahs were presented for nearly an hour after the mass.

The long procession wound down the steep hill to the Loreto cemetery. The mourners prayed and sang. The procession stopped a couple of times to allow more people to lay khadahs on her coffin. At the grave site, the lid on her coffin was finally nailed shut and then manually, lowered into the ground amid prayers and sobs. Her resting place among the other deceased members of the Loreto community has a beautiful view of the valleys and hills of Darjeeling. Later, students from the hostel came to pray and burn candles at her graveside.

In the afternoon, Les and Jan explored parts of Darjeeling on their own. Sarah and Natalie also went to the market, but had to return after Natalie became ill. Meanwhile, back at North Point, Nicki was also succumbing to illness. Those who were able, joined the young boys gathered for movie night to watch the Three Musketeers.