Joaquina lived deeply the spirituality of care. Nothing was left out of her healing embrace: the family, the sisters, the communities and especially the marginalized people of her time. (TBBA, 39).
The World Day of the Sick is celebrated on 11 February, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, patron saint of the sick. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the importance of caring for people suffering from health problems, and to put those who are at their service at their service to help and accompany them.
Healing is one of the fundamental pillars of our charism, as expressed in the quote from the Chapter Document, “To be born again”. Therefore, today we joyfully share the testimony of Sr. Dr. Joemol, who works in the Divya Chhaya Hospital in Subir, in the Province of India. This is a centre of reference in the region: in the month of January, an average of 60 patients per day were treated there, including 3 or 4 urgent cases per day.
As we observe the World Day of the Sick, I reflect on my journey as a Sister doctor serving at Divya Chhaya Hospital, Subir, guided by the charism of our congregation -Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna (CCV). This ministry, rooted in Christ’s compassionate love, has been a profound experience of encountering suffering, hope, and healing.
A Ministry of Presence and Healing
Every day at the hospital, I witness the struggles of the sick—all from marginalized tribal communities who face not only physical ailments but also economic and social hardships. Inspired by St. Joaquina de Vedruna’s vision of serving the poor and suffering, we as a team of Vedruna sisters, along with the locally trained staff, strive to bring not just medical care but also human dignity and hope to those in need.
A Moment of Grace in the Healing Ministry
One moment that deeply touched me was the case of a young woman, a migrant worker at a sugarcane field in a distant city, who arrived at our hospital in critical condition. She was suffering from severe anemia and complications of an incomplete abortion, her body weakened not only by illness but by the harsh realities of life as a migrant laborer.
Her husband, desperate to save her, had struggled in vain to obtain medical help. Living in a makeshift tent, far from any healthcare facility, they were invisible to the world—without financial means, without social support, and without a voice. With no choice left, he gathered what little strength and hope remained and set out on a long journey back to their village, carrying his ailing wife, unsure if she would survive the distance.
By the time they reached our hospital, exhaustion and despair were etched on their faces. But in that moment, grace entered their story. We welcomed her with open arms, knowing that in serving her, we were serving Christ Himself. Through timely medical intervention, compassionate care, and fervent prayer, her life was saved.
As she slowly regained strength, I saw not just a woman recovering from illness but a soul being restored to hope. Her story was a powerful reminder that healing is not just about medicine—it is about being present, about offering love where the world has turned away, and about seeing the face of Christ in those who suffer.
This is the heart of our mission at Divya Chhaya Hospital. It is the call of the Good Samaritan, the very essence of the CCV charism, and the path that Christ Himself walked—to bring light into darkness, hope into despair, and healing into the wounds of the forgotten.
Pope Francis’ Message: Hope That Does Not Disappoint
In his address for this World Day of the Sick, Pope Francis reminds us:
Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5), but strengthens us in times of trial.
Illness is a reality of our human condition, often bringing pain, uncertainty, and fear. Yet, when suffering is met with fraternity and compassion, it becomes more than just a burden—it becomes an opportunity for encounter, solidarity, and hope.
This message resonates deeply with my experience in the healing ministry. More than just treating diseases, we are called to be present with love, to listen, to console, and to journey with the sick in their pain and healing.
The Good Samaritan is our model—one who does not pass by indifferently but stops, tends to the wounds, and restores dignity. Every patient is Christ Himself in distress, calling for our care, our presence, and our love.
Hope is the light that sustains us, the strength that carries us forward, and the promise that God never abandons His people. In every act of healing, we affirm this hope—a hope that does not disappoint but renews, restores, and transforms.
Pilgrims of Hope in the Jubilee Year
As we approach the Jubilee Year 2025, with its theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” I see our healing ministry as a true pilgrimage—one that leads us to encounter Christ in the sick and suffering. Pope Francis calls us to be signs of hope in a wounded world, walking together in faith and charity.
In our small yet significant ways, we are pilgrims of hope when we stand with the suffering, offer comfort to the dying, and restore dignity to the forgotten. Each act of care, whether administering medicine, offering a reassuring word, or holding a patient’s hand in prayer, becomes a pathway of hope, reminding the sick that they are not alone but are deeply loved by God.
Continuing the Mission
Despite challenges like limited resources, cultural barriers, and the need for more trained personnel, I draw strength from my faith and the charism of our congregation, embracing the words of our Mother, St. Joaquina—“A love that never says enough.” Her wisdom compels me to serve tirelessly, knowing that true love never counts the cost but gives itself fully to those in need. The mission continues—not just in treating bodies but in healing hearts and restoring hope. May this World Day of the Sick and the spirit of the Jubilee Year inspire us all to embrace the suffering with Christ’s tenderness and to be pilgrims of hope, bringing healing and light to those in darkness.
Sr. Joma Peter Muttuchira Myaliyil, ccv
