Here I am writing about my experiences as to how I lived so far with hope. Till I reached class X, I never had thought of becoming religious. I did not have any inclination to become a sister. I had heard about sisters working in North India, in faraway places, for the poor people, living a hard life. Now and then I used to hear an inner voice, “come and work with me.” I could not resist that but say ‘YES” to the lord. I joined I.B.M.V Sisters at St. Joseph’s Convent, Patna, with great hope and enthusiasm. There I learned what it means to be religious and also to adapt myself to life situations and people. I made my First Profession on 24th Sept 1954. In the Novitiate I had learned about Mother Mary Ward and the difficulties and struggles she had gone through. Her life inspired me. I did Nurses’ Training at Holy Family Hospital at Patna City. I worked as a Nurse with much enthusiasm and dedication at all the Health Centres in the Mission Stations of Patna. As years went by, life seemed to be hard and painful, and the youthful vigor started diminishing. But I did not give up because of my hope and trust in the Lord that He who called me will surely give me the strength to carry forward the mission He has entrusted to me. I learned much from Mary Ward’s life and teachings. I had very many difficult life experiences and troublesome people. I almost lost my vocation. Gradually I have learned and am still learning never to give up hope but trust in His infinite love and tenderness and His assurance that He is always with me. HOPE GIVES STRENGTH. At present I am 90 plus, in my retired life from active ministry in the strict sense of the term, I love to do some gardening which occupies me most of the time. I have ample time to pray and rest. I often oblige to go for Parish Family Ward unit prayers and family visits, funerals in the parish and funerals of the relatives of sisters of any Province. I am able to join the community in all the activities, functions and outings. I can gratefully say that my whole life is one of HOPE and that hope will reach me to be with the Lord in Paradise.
Thank you, Sr. Carina
