Tessy Jacob

Sr. Marion Chemmanoor is among the first Indian women to join the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit in India. 

Look to Mary and seek the grace to live like her — always reaching out to others, walking through adverse times with utmost trust in God, and pondering the instances of life rather than fretting over them.

"Thank you, GSR, for not only encouraging my writing, but also giving me the opportunity and platform to share about my life as a young Catholic nun."  

Horizons - In society some people willingly lose their identities to give dignity to those in their care. They wear the face of God. Among many such good Samaritans, the role of a priest or nun is highly distinguishable.

Horizons - The International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking calls us all to stay vigilant for our neighbors. Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit and other sisters have also taken action.

Prayer, humility and love mark the short life of Blessed Maria Helena Stollenwerk of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit. These attributes were not mere virtues; they were action verbs. She lived them. 

Horizons - Death is a painful but inescapable reality. Yet with Jesus, we need only to live in the present moment, given as a grace of God, in fidelity to God's will. Our actions will be our legacy.

Horizons - The backbone of India is its farmers. What greater mission and evangelization can sisters have other than strengthening and supporting the backbone of society?

As the waves of feminism evolve, let the changes to which we aspire not be equivalent to male dominance; rather let it focus on the innate power and strength of woman herself.

Horizons - After 15 minutes, what do we need to do? Take a break. That was the mindful living skill developed by St. Arnold Janssen — say a prayer, and get back to work refreshed!

Technology is good. But letting technology form our behaviors is not always so good. In balancing between virtual reality and actual reality, we all need to take time to fact-check our lives.

The pandemic continues to show us that technology can be a lifeline, connecting humans to each other and critical services and care. The connectedness comes with a responsibility: to know the other and be part of their world — virtual and real.

Religious sisters continue to serve in hospitals, amid the threat of the pandemic. Many of them endure persecution as well. Yet these sisters, called for the service of God and humanity, persevere.

A sister may be in charge of the kitchen, or a farm, or secretarial work, or in charge of a house, or even just praying for others: Even then, essentially all are missionaries.

Recently, the recollection of one of my past experiences made me ponder over the figure of the father in the parable of the prodigal son — and his father. What does true reconciliation look like?