To, Rev. Sr. Anita (Hodges), Good Shepherd Convent, Bangalore 560 025. Dated: 2nd. May, 1996

From: Ronnie Johnson, 5/3, King's Street, Richmond Town, Bangalore 560 025 Phone: 224 0145

Dear Sr. Anita,

I have been directed to you by Sr. Christine (Pinto), the sister of Miss. Bernie Pinto ( my old teacher). From her I understand that you are doing the Archives of the Convent. Because of this reason, you would be the best person to contact for any information. I have attached a self-explanatory circular of mine regarding the investigation of the Martyr called Cora Pereira, for which Fr. Ronnie Prabhu (Rector, St. Joseph School & College) and I are incharge. I had earlier written a letter to Rev. Sr. Good Shepherd, a good friend of our family, and spoken to her. Sr. Good Shepherd was not able to help me, but I think that your way of thinking may be more in line with our request, as you would be more an expert on documentation. An enlargement of the Gravestone is with Sr. Good Shepherd for your purusal.

In the list I have enclosed, there is a mention of a Sr. Mary of St. Teresa, R.G.S., who is mentioned on the tombstone as the sister of John Florimond Pereira, who was the Father of Edward Eugene Pereira (Chief Magistrate) who was the Father of Cora Pereira. Sr. Mary is mentioned many times in the Church Records of Baptisms, as being the Sponsor for many of the Children and Orphans. Perhaps she could have been from your Good Shepherd Convent. We are talking about the year 1893. I would very much like to meet you and ask your advice on a few pointers that we have not been able to get from our investigations so far.

From our research so far we do understand two things:

• 1. Cora Pereira (Edith Corrine) died on 8th June 1896 of a Fractured Spine. Her tombstone is inscribed the words "Sacred To The Memory Of Cora Pereira Who Died A Martyr Of Her Love Towards The Blessed Sacrament On The 8th June 1896, Aged 31 Years. Erected By The Rev. A.M. Tabard."
• 2. From the Records of the Church, based on Fr. Tabard's notes, there could have been a Corpus Christi Procession fixed on the 6th/7th June 1896.

There is a Story that has been told to us by three persons, that during A Procession of Corpus Christi, an Accident took place, and the canopy or balcony collapsed and the Organist got seriously injured or died during this procession. We have not been able to link the Corpus Christi Procession of 6/7th June with the death of Cora on the 8th June, nor are we able to authenticate this story. The kind of questions we have are: Why does Fr. Tabard call her a "Martyr"? ( As Fr. Ronnie Prabhu puts it, Fr.Tabard won't flippantly write so on a tombstone! ) How did Cora die? any details also of her life. Why was she called Martyr of the " Blessed Sacrament"? Why was she buried by Fr. Tabard and not by her family? As there are very few old Irish, English or French Nuns living today on the Convent, it would be very difficult to confirm this story, however, in your position, you may be able to go through some of the Bibles, Diaries, or writings of some of the Nuns that have passed away who may have put a note down somewhere, so we may get authentic data. I do remember many Nuns of Foreign Origin that lived in the Convent, and their belongs if there are lying around in the upper rooms could hold treasures of knowledge for your Archives. I happen to be an Old Student of St. Anthony's and my two sisters studied in this Convent under Sr. Good Shepherd. I was also curious to know about the remains of a Martyr in a glass case in your Chapel. I did have the occasion to clean up the case and photograph the wax dummy. The Organ (Piano size) also should have a great history.

Should you require any help from me, I would be grateful for the chance to give a hand to you, for the noble work your are doing. I earnestly pray that you help us in your capacity as the Archives Writer, to guide us with what ever knowledge or evidence you may have come across during your research.

We have been praying for guidance on this investigation, and when ever one door closes we get another door to go through in our search. I would very much like to meet you if you could spare me some precious time of yours on a Sunday. We ask you for your prayers on this, as we are fast running out of time as June 8th 1996 would make 100 years since the death of Cora Pereira.

His Grace, Dr. Alphonsus Mathias, is also aware of this research. Thanking You for the time spent in reading this letter, I remain Yours Sincerely, Ronnie Johnson (Ronald John Johnson)

NB: In response, Sr. Anita gave me a photocopy of pages from the "2nd Volume of the Annals"- We have called it "Her Love Was Stronger", reflecting Cora Pereira's Stronger Love for the Blessed Sacrament than for human commands.

To: Reverend Mother Alice & Sr. Mary Paul Carmelite Convent No. 14, Ali Asker Road Bangalore 560 052

Dear Rev. Mother Alice & Sr.Paul, Please find enclosed some facts about a person called "Cora Pereira". We have been trying to back track if any of her relations are still in India or abroad. We understand that some of her relations stayed at "Clifton", No.8/7, Cunningham Crescent Road. Their names were Mrs.Florence Collinson (1968), Miss. Olive Marie Pereira(1972) and Harold Galvin(1975). The deaths are put in brackets.

Our enquiries have led us to the assumption that a " Sr. Alice" from your Convent used to visit these old people or vice versa. Harold Galvin did however have a sister called Alice?. Mr. Tony Noronha and Mr. Doherty were two good persons that recommended we approach you for details. Our search has been leading us to dead-ends and everytime we come across a lead, it is something else.

We having been trying to gather evidence in the form of stories passed down the generations, documents such as Bibles, Dairies that may contain writings which comment on Cora Pereira. These three persons were the First Cousins of Cora Pereira. Cora's father was Edward Eugene Pereira, Chief Magistrate of Bangalore, his brother was Marc Pereira whose children were the three persons listed above. We would like to know if these three persons told any story or gave any diary or Bible to Sr. Alice, which reference to an incident that took place exactly 100 years ago in St. Patrick's Church. It was on June 6th, 1896 that a Corpus Christi Procession was held to commemorate the opening of the expansion of the Church, and it is told to us by an old parishioner that an accident or something took place at this procession whereby the organist was killed or seriously hurt. We are trying to confirm if this was the case of Cora Pereira, for she died on 8th June 1896 from a fractured spine. If Sr. Alice does know of any story or has some evidence that supports that Miss Cora Pereira Age 31, was a Martyr, we would be honoured to have this information immediately as 100 years in June this year is fast approaching, and we want to really declare Cora Pereira to be a Martyr.

We also ask you for your prayers for this program and that we find the necessary evidence to prove that Cora Pereira did die for her Faith. You may inform any of the following persons through Mail or Phone: Ronnie Johnson, Fr. Ronnie Prabhu, Rector of St. Joseph's College, Museum Road and Fr. Francis Xavier, Parish Priest, St. Patrick's Church, Bangalore. Incase you do send a letter by post please send a copy to two of the above as the copy may get lost and we would not know if you have responded or not. I have enclosed a copy of the Patrician which gives details about the earlier part of our research. I also would like to let you know that my wife Maisy is a teacher attached to Sophia's School, which you may verify for authentication.

Thanking You Very Truly in the Lord Jesus Ronnie Johnson 5/3, King Street, Richmond Town, Bangalore 560 025 Phone: 2240 145

( In response to this letter, Sr. Alice was met for an interview, where she gave the copy of the Biography of Fr. Tabard by Fr.C.Browne. She also spoke about the Pereira Family, and said that they ended in very sad distressed lives, as there was no young person to take care of them).

Date: 7th June, 1996 From: Ronald (Ronnie)Johnson (Phone: 2240145) 5/3, King Street, Richmond Town, Bangalore 560 025

Sub: Cora Pereira, Investigation and Support

Dear Friends and those who love the Lord, This is to Thank You for your support in our investigation into the Martyr Cora Pereira. We have been able to come to some conclusion from a report on the death of Cora by one of her teachers. Cora had studied at the Good Shepherd Convent, Bangalore. We do have a hand-written copy of the Annal Report at the Good Shepherd Convent which reveals the kind of young lady Cora Pereira was, and how close she was to God through her love for the Blessed Sacrament. We all are grateful to Sr. Anita Hodges , RGS, for taking trouble to go through the Convent Archives overnight and come up with this write-up. We acknowledge First the Guidance of Almighty God, Fr.Ronnie Prabhu,sj, who stood with us in this investigation, and the Blessing of His Grace Rt. Rev. Alphonsus Mathias, the Archbishop of Bangalore, and also the Parish Priest of St. Patrick's Church, Fr. Francis Xavier, for allowing us to go through the Church Registers. Thanks to Brig. Leslie & Audrey King, for the plants for Cora's grave. Lastly my wife, Maisy for her patience and support, as well as my children, Andrew(13) and Joanne(12) who helped to enter data. We would like to thank all personally, but there are so many that we don't know, but their Prayers and Love for God sustained us in our search. We have enclosed for your perusal, the extract taken from the hand-written copy,, so that you may use it to build the Faith of all other Christians, and Give Glory to God for His Love shown through that Young Person Cora Pereira. We need to Praise God for this example on her 100th death anniversary, and perhaps she could even lead us to much higher places through Miracles, if we do Pray to her to intercede to God on our behalf.

Thanking You again Leaving you with the Peace of the Risen Christ Ronnie Johnson

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Thought for the Day:" Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, Fon in the manner their fathers did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did they fathers to the false prophets." Holy Bible: Luke 6:20-26

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