At the Bidar mission, the sisters of Apostolic Carmel followed the invitation of Pope Francis and spent a day among widows, lepers and street sweepers and waste collectors – people who are traditionally on the margins of society. The superior: “The best way to help them is to lend a hand so they can get up.”
New Delhi () – On Sunday, November 13, numerous Catholic realities in India lived the World Day of the Poor, an initiative promoted by Pope Francis. A significant example is the gesture of the nuns of the Apostolic Carmelite Mission of Bidar, in the Indian state of Karnataka, who focused their attention on three groups of people: widows, recovered leprosy patients and the street sweepers and collectors of the municipality of Bidar.
“After a moment of prayer together,” says the convent’s superior, Sister Christine Misquith, “the nuns listened to the stories of these people and showed a video about how poverty is often accompanied by a richness of heart. Afterwards, we entertained to the groups with games, we handed out food and a sari. It was a moment to express love for the poor.”
“One of the best ways to help those in need is to reach out a hand to help them up,” continues Sr. Christine, “rather than a hand that pushes them away. By giving them moral support and showing respect for them, they realize that that there is someone who really cares about them.
in dialogue with , the sister Nirmalini, superior general of the Congregation of Apostolic Carmelites, adds: “Our main mission is the education of girls, but through our institutions, the sisters take care of the poor as an option for social inclusion. They embrace slums and they take care of the education of the children, helping them to complete formal education.The women participate in the formation of self-help groups and receive training in the development of skills, to become autonomous and improve their family life”.
The nuns also carry out free training activities for the most vulnerable students, children who have no one at home who can teach them. “This year, following the constant call of Pope Francis to reach out to the little ones”, adds Sister Nirmalini, “we have decided that no child will leave our institution for non-payment of school fees”. In addition, each of our communities – in India and abroad – has adopted families and accompanies them, both spiritually and materially, in all aspects of their lives.”
