50 years beside the lonely old women of Bombay

In the Bandra neighborhood, the Franciscan Missionary Poor Clares of the Blessed Sacrament celebrated half a century of activity of the establishment that welcomes widows and indigent single women. “We treat each old woman with tenderness and love and accept each one with her limitations and strengths.”

Bombay () – On the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the St. Anthony Home for the Elderly in Bombay celebrated its 50th anniversary, where the Franciscan Missionary Poor Clares of the Blessed Sacrament care for abandoned elderly women. Auxiliary Bishop Monsignor John Rodrigues presided over a thanksgiving mass on the occasion of the golden anniversary of this center that has welcomed thousands of people for decades. The sisters are committed to serving the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of these older people in need of care, in a caring, caring, dignified, and Christian environment.

Sister Nirmala, the Superior of the Franciscan Missionary Poor Clares of the Blessed Sacrament, explains to : “Before the pandemic, we welcomed 60 women over the age of 70 in our house, but in the last three years we could not admit the people who came because they were not vaccinated against the Coronavirus or had other problems. For this reason, the number of guests has been reduced to 45. Our home welcomes poor, widowed or single people over 70. It is a work that is based on the generosity of benefactors.”

“We treat each and every old woman with tenderness and love and accept each one with her limitations and strengths,” continues Sister Nirmala. “We bring comfort and hope to elderly women and make them feel at home and useful to others.” We listen to them and try to help them accept their age, illness, loneliness and frustration. There is a sister who deals specifically with palliative care. When the time of death arrives, we accompany the person in prayer, until the last breath.

All birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated at St. Anthony’s Home and age-appropriate recreational activities are offered: physical exercise, entertainment programs, games and picnics. Guests follow the news on TV and entertainment programs on YouTube, but they also participate in small household tasks, such as cutting vegetables or keeping their rooms clean and tidy.

“In addition to physical and mental well-being,” adds Sister Nirmala, “we also focus on spiritual well-being, with the daily celebration of Mass, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Residents who are not Catholic also follow everything that happens in the home: they are not obliged, but they usually participate in moments of prayer”.

“We give thanks to God for what he has done in these 50 years through this institution,” said Msgr. John Rodrigues in his thanksgiving homily. “We are grateful to the pioneers who promoted this Home, as well as to the sisters who have served in these 50 years, to the benefactors, including those of other religions, to the collaborators, volunteers and staff. May Saint Francis of Assisi continue to inspire us to radically follow the Gospel and that we experience the presence of Christ in love and service”.