by Sr. Shanty Joseph *
The testimony of an Indian nun from the Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception who works in the first country in Oceania that the Pope will visit in a week. Life on the most remote islands, the hand of God in trials and dangers, the challenge of truly bringing the Gospel to traditional cultures, the need for more missionaries. “Living here has filled me with immense joy: the simple people of this place have inspired me, showing me the beauty of humility and the joy of everyday life.”
Port Moresby () – On the long apostolic journey that Pope Francis is about to begin in a few days, for the first time in his pontificate he will stop in Oceania and from 6 to 9 September he will visit Papua New Guinea, with its 600 islands scattered in the Pacific Ocean, just a stone’s throw from Indonesia and Australia. What does it mean to live today as a missionary in the middle of the ocean? She tells us in this testimony to Sister Shanty Jospeh, an Indian nun of the Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception who has been serving as apostles in this country for fifteen years.
Throughout my life, mission has always been something precious to me to take care of. From the moment I began my formation as a religious, the desire to embark on this path was deep and persistent. The dream became a reality when I was assigned to Papua New Guinea in December 2009. When I arrived in this country, with its diversity of cultures, its rich heritage, its rugged mountains, its lush vegetation and its unspoiled beaches, I felt as if I were coming home, because it reminded me of my hometown in India.
The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate were established in Papua New Guinea in 1988, initially in Watuluma, a small village on Goodenough Island in Milne Bay Province, where the mission is run by PIME priests. Since then, our mission has spread to five dioceses and has grown significantly with God’s blessing. Many local vocations have flourished and our young sisters are now working in missions abroad.
As I reflect on my life, I feel as if I have experienced a rebirth, immersed in a different culture, but with deep roots in it. I often wonder where the strength to be a missionary comes from, but I firmly believe that when we say “Yes” to God, He works miracles. It was the Lord’s call that brought me to this earthly paradise.
Today I live in Port Moresby, but my fifteen years in this land have been marked by a mosaic of diverse experiences, both stimulating and challenging. My mission began in Watuluma, where I taught in a secondary school run by our religious sisters. This remote area, lacking basic necessities, communications, roads or transport, was accessible only by sea. The school was home to students from far-off islands, and it was a privilege to share their youthful enthusiasm, joys and struggles. The warmth and love of the people helped me adapt to their culture, and today I consider myself Papuan in my lifestyle, although I am Indian by birth.
Life on the island was simple and fascinating, but not without its challenges. Reaching the nearest town involved a two-day boat ride through rough seas. I had to contend with the dangers of the sea and pirate attacks, but at all times I felt the invisible hand of God guiding me. Communication was another major test at first: I longed to hear the voices of my loved ones, especially in times of uncertainty, but I trusted in God, knowing that He would give me the strength to carry on.
One of the most striking aspects of this culture is the strong sense of sharing, which is supported by the Wantok system, which fosters a deep bond between people who share the same language.
After eight years, I was transferred to Kerema (Araimiri), a place with limited access to education and basic needs, where the Salesians have a mission. Teaching in this remote area allowed me to establish a deep bond with unassuming people, free from the hustle and bustle of modern life. I greatly enjoyed the time I spent with the students, teachers and community, where each day was a lesson in humility, patience and perseverance. The students here are creative, caring and eager to learn, and they dream of a better future. In this land, one has to expect the unexpected, but with faith in God I found the strength to face each new day.
In a country where 87% of the population lives in rural areas, with minimal infrastructure, daily survival is a real test. There is a severe shortage of health services, leading to high mortality rates for mothers and newborns during childbirth, and many areas have no access to a clinic. People often have to walk for hours to the nearest clinic to get medicine, and some collapse on the way due to fatigue. In remote areas, communication networks and roads are lacking: students sometimes walk for up to a week to reach their school.
On the mission I felt like a little girl learning to walk, to observe, to adapt to new customs and cultures. Appreciating the goodness of the local culture allowed me to embrace the people and this place with love. Missionary life has taught me to be a bit of everything: teacher, pastor, technician, cook, street sweeper, mentor, counselor… It has also taught me patience, as the unpredictable nature of life here requires being constantly prepared for anything, be it an attack by thugs, a cancelled flight, a road block or the threat of pirates at sea. These challenges have made me stronger, strengthening my faith in the invisible hand of God in my life.
Although the mission field is vast, the workers here are few. Christianity is widespread in Papua New Guinea, but we need more missionaries to spread the love of Jesus. Many missionaries from India and around the world serve in remote and difficult areas of the country, encouraged by the hopes and dreams of the people they serve. In a society where strong traditional cultural beliefs prevail, missionaries face the challenge of strengthening people’s Christian faith, especially in times of illness and disaster. We prepare the faithful for the sacraments, visit families and prisons to catechize, form children, youth and mothers in the faith, and provide religious education in schools. Missionaries often take on the challenge of reaching the most remote places, walking miles to be with people. Our hope for the future is to reach the most extreme peripheries, bringing the values of Christ to those in need, but many more missionaries are needed to fulfill this mission.
The mission in Papua New Guinea has filled me with immense joy and taught me to take life as it comes, embracing patience in the midst of challenges. The simple people who live here inspired me, showing me the beauty of humility and the joy of everyday life. During my mission, I experience God’s providence that protects me from all dangers and guides me through every storm.
One of the strengths of this country is its young people, who make up more than 60% of the population. With the support of the Papua New Guinea government, many of them are sent to India and other countries for higher education. I hope and pray that more vocations will emerge from Papua New Guinea, that more children will have access to education, and that the country will make progress in good governance and evangelization.
The words of Psalm 91 have had a profound impact on my life: “He has given his angels charge over you, to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11). I have experienced this protection many times in the concrete situations of my missionary life.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve in this place and firmly believe that God never tests us beyond our capabilities. With unwavering hope, trust, and perseverance, we can overcome any challenge. Never stop hoping, trusting, and trying.
* nun of the Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception in Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea)
(with the collaboration of Nirmala Carvalho)
Add Comment