by Suor Annaline, MC*

The superior of the Missionaries of Charity house for disabled children in Delhi tells her story, her meeting with the founder of the congregation, the gift of prayer, the discovery of God and the beauty of those who suffer.

New Delhi (AsiaNews) – After graduation, I was scheduled to begin work in a bank on 10 June 1983. In the ensuing period of holidays, I attended our seven day-parish mission, when on the second day, I felt strongly called by God to become a missionary. This caused much restlessness in me, as I had bright future with a bank job; however, after I confided in my parish priest, he sent me for another vocational seminar where religious sisters from 22 congregations spoke about their congregations. There I met a Sister Rani MC and felt called by God, that this was what he wanted me to be. Therefore, after the initial formalities, I happily joined the Missionaries of Charity that same year.

I met Mother Teresa at the end of 1983 in the Mother House. She was the first in the chapel in the mornings and I remember being deeply moved to see her at prayer. Her communion with God was visible.

In 1986, when I was posted in Andhra Pradesh, I went through a serious crisis in my vocation. I wanted to leave the Missionaries of Charity, and I told Mother about my decision. She was so compassionate and tenderly clasped my hands and said, “This is the work of the devil, pray and I too will pray” and every day she would meet me and tell me “Pray, Pray”. After some time, through Mother’s prayers, I saw the Light and God gave me the strength and Grace to be faithful. Mother saved my vocation and these years as a Missionary of Charity have been the happiest years of my life.

Here in Jeevan Jyoti, if you look at the smiling faces of our 59 disabled children, you feel the Mother Teresa’s presence. The beauty of these children reveals the face of Mother Teresa.

Many of these children are the victims of (failed) abortions, but if you discover the talent within them, you will clearly understand that abortion is the work of the Devil. Our children come from our other adoption centres, some of them just a day old.

Our 59 children range in age from six months to 19 years. They are afflicted in various ways, each requiring special care. There are children who are blind, deaf and mute, spastics, those stricken with polio, and the mentally disabled. But seven of them are learning music and others are involved in dance therapy.

Even though the children are disabled, I do not see them lacking in anything. They are cheerful. It seems that this is indeed home for them. One of them, Mahavir, won a gold medal in golf at the special Olympics in 2003.

Physical and mentally challenges never hinder anyone from knowing God’s love. On the contrary, it is God’s love that sustains these children. In them, we see the beauty of the image of God.

I thank Mother Teresa for letting me experience the love and happiness of these beautiful children of God.

* Sister Annaline, 44, is the superior of Jeevam Jyoti Home Disabled Children, also known as Mother Teresa's Home for Disabled Children, founded in 1988 in Jangpura (Delhi).

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