“Without humility we cannot encounter God and experience salvation. Yet it is equally true that without humility we cannot even encounter our neighbours”, says Pope Francis.
These words of Pope Francis came alive to me when I witnessed the simple and humble lifestyle of the people of Odisha. I was very much eager to visit the state and know about their culture. When we reached there, we were welcomed warmly by our SHENADHARA sisters and candidates.. When we visited the families they welcomed us by washing the feet and the hands. This gesture of theirs touched my heart. For them, the visitors are like God “AATITI DEVO BHAVA” of the Indian culture.
As our sisters are working with street children, rickshaw pullers and the SHG. There I found the taste of love and again I recalled the words of Pope Francis, poor don’t waste. I could see the richness among those people whom I met. They are rich in everything. I experience that children are eager to go to school. It is said that if you educate one child, you educate whole family, in the same way, if we save one street child, we can save many because they can look and learn.
Going to Odisha was a Tabor experience. I could experience the same feeling when I met and interacted with street children and rickshaw pullers. I could feel the joy within me when I spoke to them. Even though some of their stories were very painful but after meeting and talking to them, the joy and the disturbance which my soul encountered, was different. A small group of committed ones can change the world.
I experienced the zeal of the SHG groups. They are like professional in dealing with others. Hats off to all the sisters who had worked and made a difference in the lives of women. Creating a society of equality, by empowering them is a great mission which we can do for the people. Life is very simple. We need to learn this simplicity with the people who are simple.
We were fortunate to visit Varanasi. The centre of IMS priest.Fr. Cheathan took us around to show how the SHG groups work. It was an enriching experience. I felt we too can implement the same procedures and works for the SHG.
I would like to end my experience saying: This is essential for the Christians to feel deep inner restlessness.. The inner restlessness is born out of faith. It impels us to do what needs to do and to make changes. I was privilege to visit first time our community in odisha , I felt and experience the love, joy and belongingness with each sister of the community , candidates and hostel girls. May God bless our mission.
Carmelita.aci
I want to begin my sharing by thanking the Lord for His accompaniment, care and protection which I experienced throughout during my Mission experience.
“Hoping with others and for others”…..this theme was very much relevant during this time of my mission experience. Seeing all the activities of our sisters in Odissa I felt that, this is what they are doing for the people. I was very touched with the work sisters are doing with the street children and the Rickshaw pullers. Every month sisters invite them to the centre for a get together and to have a meal. Some of them shared with us coming together gave them lot of joy and happiness. Also they are able to share their problems, struggles and difficulties. I was very touched seeing the Women, children and the youth on the street. It reminds me of our Constitution no.6. Where it says “In those who suffer Christ still experiences poverty, oppression and rejection. I felt like a drop in the ocean our sisters are trying to make them aware of their dignity as human beings.
Regarding the S.H. Groups I felt they are functioning very well. One of the village calledAmdedkar the two S.H. groups together arranged a programme for us. I experienced lot of unity among the people in the village. Especially I felt the young girls are very creative and took lot of initiative in conducting games for the children and for the mothers. They performed a dance based on the birth of Jesus was very beautiful. The people are very welcoming, generous and loving.
One of the villages called Kumparpada is very pathetic situation. It is like a slum. Very congested. Children looked dirty and filthy, moving around with no one to take care. It reminds me of my first visit to Bhuvaneswar.
Visit to the parishes of Kahachuan and Kauch was a beautiful experience. I was very much touched with the welcoming of the people. As part of their welcoming gesture they washed the feet. It reminds me of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet. Also during the mass the offertory was done in such a simple way. Very natural. I felt Jesus will be happier to accept this poor people’s offering.
Visit to Varanasi was also a beautiful experience. To experience another culture. Fr.Cheitans S.H. group is well organised. As we visited different perishes and churches what I experienced was that there is an Indian touch in the way they arranged the altar. Also I felt people have lot of faith and great devotion to Blessed Sacrament.
For me the shocking experience was the boat ride through River Ganges. The amount of dead bodies burning near the sea, People’s devotion and belief that they receive salvation once they come and bury over there.
Over all I can say that for me it was a beautiful experience. To experience different culture and to see the different apostolate is been done in Odissa by our sisters’. I felt lot of poverty in Odissa. People are very hard working. Also I experienced they are very welcoming, generous, and simple.
Pearly aci