“Sister, I thought I was going to die. Now I am back to life.” While crossing the Ukrainian border a young man told to the sisters. Here is a story of three Keralite nuns who help the people from India to escape from war-torn Ukraine. Catholic News shares the experiences of Sister Liji who drives with the people to the Romanian border.
The painful stories and plights are shaking the minds of people. God sends angels amidst the worst situation as hope to people and saves them from the firing thoughts of insecurity and loneliness. Here is a story of three religious nuns from Kerala in the area of rescuing the people. Sister Liji, Sister Jayathi, Sister Amala are the three brave nuns who put effort to save and send the people out to the country. The Convent of the Congregation of ‘Sisters of Saint Joseph of Saint Mark’ is opened for the people amidst the miseries of war.
47 Indian citizens are rescued in a single day crossing the Ukraine border in about six vehicles to Romania with the help of these three sisters.
“Sister, I thought I was going to die. I’m back to life.” – These are the words of a young man who escaped from the misery of war and crossed the border. They were brought to the convent from the battlefield under the supervision of the sisters. There they got the space to bathe and relax. Even the sisters did not forget to provide Indian food too. Despite they are in fear, were astonished when they are provided the sufficient Indian food.
“When they crossed the border, They sighed as they are back to life. Their overwhelmed hearts extended to the eyes as the tears with love and gratitude. We consoled everyone with all the possible ways,” sister Liji revealed.
Assistance from the Ukrainians
Many of the refugees are in the Ukrainian region of Mukachev. Most of them are trying to cross the border somehow. There are four Malayalee families with these sisters. The Sisters provide all possible assistance to those in need of assistance in crossing the border due to the war. The retreat center they are building is now open for that. There are now a total of eighteen sisters in Ukraine, including three Keralites and 15 Ukrainians.
“If there is anything we can do here for the Indians and for those who are suffering in the war, it is with the goodwill and help of the Ukrainians.” – Says Sister Liji.
The Ukrainian local people go into dangerous warfare zones and take them to the convent. Many Indian people are saved by their courage and kindness of heart.
The Religious Community that has been in Ukraine for 23 Years
Founded in France, the religious community began its activities in Ukraine in 1998. Sister Liji Payyappilly has been serving in Ukraine for the past 22 years. Fifteen Ukrainian nuns with the sister are now nuns who joined the convent after the sister came here. They have been training since joining the monastery and are now their Mother Superior Sister Liji. Everyone who joins the convent is professional and well-educated. 96.9% of the population in Ukraine is educated.
They run an old age home there. The total income is only the pension amount of the members of this institution. All other expenses are covered with the assistance of Ukrainians. Sister Liji is the Delegate Superior of Ukraine. Everything in the nursing home is done by the trainees and sisters at the convent. They do this not as a job but as a ministry.
Catholic news pays huge respect and love towards the angels of salvation in the face of death in Ukraine.
Sunisha V.F.