of Mons. Paolo Martinelli*
In a reflection he sent to on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the death of the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, Bishop Martinelli recalls the nuns killed in Aden in 2016 by a jihadist commando. With her life and with her death they gave testimony “to the love and presence of Christ”. Today Yemen is still marked by “war and suffering, especially of children”. The sisters “stayed” to continue the work for the “poor and handicapped.”
Abu Dhabi () – The “dedication” of the Missionaries of Charity in the land of Arabia has its “roots” in the charism of Mother Teresa, up to the extreme sacrifice of the sisters of Aden who “through their lives and even death” gave testimony “of the love and presence of Christ who continues to give his life for all”. In this reflection sent to by Bishop Paolo Martinelli on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s death, the prelate recalls the tragedy experienced by nuns in Yemen on March 4, 2016, when their home for the elderly and needy was attacked by a jihadist group. In the attack they killed four nuns (Sister Anselma, Sister Judith, Sister Margarita and Sister Reginette) and 12 other people “for religious reasons”, and kidnapped the Indian Salesian priest Tom Uzhunnalil, who was released more than a year later thanks to the mediation of Oman.
A few months ago, the prelate was appointed apostolic vicar of South Arabia (United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen) to replace Bishop Paul Hinder, who remains apostolic administrator of northern Arabia. He considers that the fact that there are still Christians and nuns in Yemen today is “a humble sign of hope”. “They stayed – he explains – to continue the mission of helping the weakest, the disabled”, according to the charism of Mother Teresa, who continues to be a source of “inspiration” for the mission.
Next, we offer the reflection of Bishop Martinelli:
In my opinion, the value of the testimony of the Sisters of Aden grows over time, albeit quietly. It is a true “testimony”. We must always understand this word well: it is not just a “good example” or “coherence” with an idea. The center is not the person of the witness, but the One for whom life is lived and given. Benedict XVI said that “we become witnesses when, through our actions, words and way of being, Another appears and communicates.” In this case, the testimony of the sisters of Aden, throughout their lives and until their deaths, communicates to us the love, the presence of Christ who continues to give his life for all. Through their testimony the loving face of Jesus appears.
I believe that the secret lies in the expression “to be sent”: Mother Teresa’s sisters call themselves “missionaries” of charity. Being missionaries means being sent; It is not about a voluntary commitment, but knowing that one has been chosen and sent by Jesus to the poorest. The person lives his mission not because he is successful, but because he has been sent and, in this sense, he is free of the result. It is a presence devoid of any intention of proselytizing, but willing to serve anyone who needs it, from a perspective of clear interreligious openness. That service is open to everyone. That is why the fruit of his sacrifice is assured in the mystery of God’s love.
The witness of these sisters deeply nourishes the life of the Church and for this reason they are frequently remembered in the vicariate of South Arabia. Personally, I too have a vivid memory of their sacrifice and they are often in my prayers. The testimony they gave is indelible and will surely bring fruits of peace for all, while the memory of their sacrifice pushes us to live our faith with joy and commitment every day.
The current situation in Yemen is still marked by the war that has been going on for many years and we also know little about it. It is a conflict that has caused the suffering of many people, especially many children. The presence of Christians, and in particular the presence of the Missionaries of Charity, is a humble sign of hope. Despite everything that had happened, the sisters stayed to continue their charitable mission, to help the weakest, the disabled. This is a sign of humble and strong hope; his presence bears witness that one can always begin anew, that there is no circumstance in life in which one cannot love.
Finally, we must underline the origin, the charism of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whom we venerate today as a saint and who is a spectacular figure in the life of the Church. Her simplicity and her uncalculating dedication are disarming. In her life, the gratuity of love is perceived, the giving without measure and without seeking benefits. I had the opportunity to meet her at the beginning of my priestly ministry, when I often went to celebrate Holy Mass at the home of the Missionary Sisters of Charity in Baggio (outside Milan), where they have a significant presence at the service of the poorest. Mother Teresa was visiting that community and I remember her humble determination to serve the poor out of love for Christ. She wanted everything in her sisters’ house to be an expression of Christ’s love for the poor. I have always been impressed by the deep connection that all the sisters lived between the Eucharist and charity towards all. The apostolate of the Missionaries of Charity in Arabia is rooted in this charism that the Spirit gave to Mother Teresa and that she knew how to transmit to her sisters.
* Vicar Apostolic of South Arabia (United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen)
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