Josephine the Sister of Bishop Fortunatus Henri Caumont, was born on December 13th 1880. She joined the Religious Congregation of St. Mary of the Angels in France and made her final commitment on August 12th 1903. At the request of Bishop Fortunatus Henri Caumont, for a helper from the Congregation of St. Mary of the Angels in France, his own sister Mother Mary Matilda was appointed to collaborate with him.
Mother Mary Matilda’s deep spirituality and missionary zeal inspired her to work for the upliftment of the women in Rajputana. She was the first Principal of the school meant for girls. Mother Matilda as a collaborator of the Founder persevered in the uphill task of women’s education. She was honored with the title ‘The first Lady for the Cause of Women’s Education’.
As Head of the Congregation of the Mission Sisters of Ajmer, she through her life of selfless service and deep love for Jesus, wanted her Mission Sisters to be true to their name. She taught them to be Eucharist to the people.
Mother Mary Matilda radiated God’s love to everyone she encountered. She opened houses in the villages, welfare centres to attend to the medical needs of the poor and Hindi Medium Schools to educate children of the rural and tribal areas. She trained the Mission Sisters to be happy Franciscans, prayerful, simple, sincere, hospitable, hardworking, zealous and contented missionaries.
On September 8, 1950, the Sisters planned to celebrate Mother Maltida’s Golden Jubilee as a Religious Sister. On August 18, 1950 she went round to every department of the house, with a word of encouragement to each Sister she met. That very night, she had a severe heart attack and early the next morning (August,19) at 1.00am, she heard the Master calling her Home to her eternal reward. Her Golden Jubilee on earth was exchanged for a greater Jubilation in Heaven.
