By Jessy Kurian
New Delhi: It is heart-rending to know that the second wave of corona has taken away the lives of more than 185 Catholic priests and 170 nuns in India. Even after this data, many priests and nuns have lost their lives. Among around 103,000 nuns in India the Missionaries of Charity reported 14 deaths, the highest.
There are many reasons for the death of nuns. Many of them are working in the remote areas of this country against all odds. Lack of medical facilities, lack of transportation, lack of ambulance facility and delay in proper diagnosis caused their death. It is very risky at this time for the nuns working very closely associated with the people, apostolates like running orphanages, home for the aged,leprosorium, home for the disabled and differently abled and other charitable institutions.
A nun’s calling will not allow her to run away from risk and difficulties, but to sacrifice herself in the interest of justice for the welfare of humanity. Nuns are women and Indian citizens. They have selected a life-style to serve humanity. Their contribution in the field of education, literacy, health and compassionate ministry are undisputed. Leaving their homes, families and comfortable life, they try their maximum to bring comfort to others. They serve beyond caste and religion.
Undisputedly it is testing time. Life is very precious. After two weeks of Easter preparations in the parish including Charismatic preaching by various priests, Crism Mass and Easter celebration, that witnessed mass gatherings, 12 sisters in my convent began to show symptoms like cough, head ache, phlegm discharge, and throat infection and all of them were tested positive on April 8. I had no symptoms. Since all of them were positive, I too took a test and was tested positive on April 10. All of us went into quarantine same time and all are negative now. Praise God. A miracle. Asymptomatic condition as in my case can also lead to death if not diagnosed.
In this pandemic, we should adopt preventive measures. Sisters should be exposed to Covid pandemic education by competent doctors on webinars. Though community life matters, individual life is more important, hence each nun should be capable of protecting herself from this pandemic and she also has the duty to protect the life of the other following the Covid guidelines.
Coming together for prayers in a small chapel is dangerous today. Either pray individually or in a spacious open place following Covid guidelines is advisable. Make mandatory, using mask, sanitizing, washing hands, and keeping distance. Even in the dining hall, one must keep distance. It is reported, when one speaks, minimum 3000 droplets and when sneezes 4000 droplets are caused. Hence it is better to avoid recreation at these times. What required at this testing time is, rest, relaxation and a tension free atmosphere.
If one is tested positive, maintain a positive attitude and face it with courage. When I was in quarantine, I was happy that I become part of suffering humanity (due to Covid), that I could experience better the struggle of people. When I was in quarantine 33 of my colleagues in the Supreme Court also were in quarantine in different places. To my horror all of them died. I am alive. Praise God.
The teary day in my quarantine was April 24 when we witnessed the death of four advocates who were very dear to me in legal fraternity. Their departure added to my sorrow of death of Advocate V J Francis on April 19. I had shared his chamber when I began to practice in the Supreme Court. For me it was a day of torrential flow of tears, brimmed with sorrow and a sleepless night. I even even thought that I would be the next. However I resigned to the will of the Almighty, “If so let it be done. Still my spirit was high and full of optimism without any fear
Death of near ones and dear ones were pouring in on social media. Amid wiping of tears, I spent my quarantine days in literary works, reading and writing along with medication and exercise. However most of my literature was reduced to writing “RIP.” I also spent time praying for the whole world.
Have deep trust in the Almighty. Let us follow Covid guidelines
This shall also pass
We shall overcome
One thing I learnt is:
Life is not always what we make it
But how we take it
(Sister Jessy Kurian, a member of the Sisters of St Ann of Providence, is a lawyer practicing in the Supreme Court of India, New Delhi.)