In this interview, Sister Saroj Amaladoss SCB, Superior General of the Sisters of Charles Borromeo, shares her own vocation story, and her views on serveral issues affecting many religious orders today
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT VOCATION STORY. WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND? HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A NUN? WHAT MEANING DO YOU FIND IN BEING A RELIGIOUS?
The gift of life God has given, invites me daily to journey towards him. Life is a journey and the experience each one has, has much to teach us. When I look back at my own life, I have only feelings of gratitude for God’s blessings and graces. It is my joy to share them.
I was born in a God-fearing, loving catholic family in Veeravanallur, Palayamkottai Diocese, Tamilnadu. We were six children—four girls and two boys. My parents were generous to give four of their children to serve the church. One brother and one sister chose the married life. We, the first three girls, joined the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo and my brother joined the priesthood in our diocese. My elder sister (nun) and my married brother passed away some years ago.
Today I take delight in seeing God’s hand in every step of my life. We have many religious in our family. My maternal aunt, especially, is a great inspiration to us, but, the decision to be a religious was purely mine. From my childhood I was interested in reading all sorts of books and magazines. I had a special interest in reading the Bible and The Imitation of Christ. Even when my parents called me to have my meals, I wouldn’t respond. Such was my interest in reading. One day my father remarked, “Saro is writing in her journal that she reads the Bible. But the devil is writing that she does not obey her parents.” After my father made this remark, I would get up and have my meal with the others.
One day I was reading Mathew, 11: 25-30: The verse, “I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants” and the verse, “no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” spoke a lot to me. My curiosity was aroused about what that revelation could mean. Over the years I understood his invitation, “Come to me” and I am still learning to wait for his revelation.
After my studies I got a job in the postal department and worked as a clerk for six years. I remember my novena to Our Lady of Poondi and am grateful to mother Mary for giving me a job. My colleagues were very good and I learnt the art of working together from them. Life offered me many choices. However, my mind was focused on the word ‘revelation’. Today I can boldly and trustingly say that the WORD OF GOD is alive and active. For forty-one years I have been a religious sister. But my thirst is not quenched and my heart is in search for God.
In 1973, I decided to join the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo, in which congregations my sisters were already. I continued my formation taking leave from the department. After my profession, my superiors asked me to continue working in the postal department and I did so. It was a good and enriching time. For the first six years my goal was to earn money. When I joined as a religious, my goal changed to being a witness in the governmental non- Christian milieu in which I worked. Initially I went through a certain amount of uneasiness because of the repeated questions and queries of my colleagues and the public. My superiors and the community were so supportive, encouraging and trusting. I received encouragement from the Salesian fathers at Tirupattur, Jolarpettai and Yelagiri Hills too. I had many friends then. We shared our inner experiences. It was a rich experience to interact with Hindus and Muslims. I learnt a lot by listening to them and sharing with them. The truth I learned then is that every person is a temple of God, once we understand their reverence, respect, fear of God, desire for service, commitment along with their struggles. The desire for the Divine is expressed in many ways, especially through their service.
Religious life consists in being honest and committed to the person of Christ. Following him gives tremendous joy, contentment and fulfilment. I belong to the family of St. Charles, and am committed to love my sisters, to serve those in need, be with the suffering, neglected, unwanted. These bring me energising moments along with a sense of holiness. I thank God for His call and all those who are part of my religious vocation.
WHO OR WHAT HAS INSPIRED YOU MOST ON YOUR JOURNEY?
The trust and affection I received at home; the sacrifices and understanding of my parents are inspiring me even today. When I was young, I heard my mother advising a young couple saying, “You may hate the negative quality in the other, but should never hate the other. Forgive and try to love.” This is the first and the best seminar on forgiveness from my mother. This gives me tremendous strength on my life journey.
Apart from this, the affection of my family members, nature and its beauty, the faithfulness and warmth of the elderly sisters, the sharing and upholding of one another in the congregation, the spontaneity and generosity of the youngsters, the strong support of friends and their concern are my daily inspiration. The reality of the world’s struggles and the sufferings of people inspire me to be kind, courageous and accepting. The sharing and upholding of one another I experienced in our family as we grew up together makes me to appreciate my community and my sisters better today.
WHAT GIVES YOU ENTHUSIASM AND STRENGTH TO
FACE YOUR MANY CHALLENGES?
Of course, there were difficult situations and challenges. Health was a challenge. At the age of twenty-eight, I underwent a lot of problems with my legs. Initially I could not accept that suffering and my inability. The understanding of my superiors, the support and care of the sisters, prayers of my parents and dear ones helped me to accept suffering as part of my life. The biblical injunction from Hebrews, 12:12, “Lift up your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees” prevented me from getting discouraged and kept me cheerful. The wise counsel of my sisters in the congregation gave me tremendous enthusiasm.
DO YOU NOTICE DIFFERENCES IN THINKING AND SETTING PRIORITIES BETWEEN YOUR OLDER MEMBERS AND THE YOUNGER ONES?
Our congregation, like all others, is made up of differences. Especially I notice differences in thinking and setting of priorities between the older members and the younger ones. The elderly sisters’ words and actions communicate their wisdom and experience. The younger generations are daring and ready for challenges. Only, they want instant results. Modern technology is making them seek immediate results. What is required on the other hand is fidelity and commitment, patience and sacrifice on their part, which will in turn help them to set the right priorities. Life will teach them the wisdom of the past and the marvels of the future. I take delight in listening to the youngsters, as I have lived through the same age with similar feelings and the desire to achieve what I wished.
WHAT ATTRACTS YOUNG WOMEN TODAY TO JOIN RELIGIOUS LIFE? WHAT ATTRACTS THEM TO THE SISTERS OF ST. CHARLES BORROMEO?
I believe that God has many ways of drawing the younger
ones, and his action still continues. When the call is heard within, the youngsters need strength and readiness to say yes at times they do not receive the support they need. Today’s youngsters are free and want to achieve something great in their lives. Daring and ready to pay the price if they decide. A few do have the hidden desire to become professionals, and the main purpose of seeking God and serving his people is overlooked. Perhaps, a few still need to discern their vocation after being professionally trained. They face the same temptation, whether to choose God or money This is another testing period when they have to prove their first Yes to God.
Young girls do see in the convents love and laughter, caring and sharing, consoling and comforting and the selfless services rendered through different ministries. Praying together and the quiet time they are able to take for themselves do touch a few. The family spirit of St. Charles Sisters, their hospitality and their warm approach attract the youngsters to be Sisters of St. Charles. Of course, the young face many temptations in the modern world, which is fuelled by the progress of technology.
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACING RELIGIOUS LIFE TODAY—IN INDIA, AND IN THE WORLD AT LARGE?
Youngsters are pulled towards the new technological world. They most often take personal responsibility for their lives, which is good, but at times it leads to an individualistic attitude among them. In small families today, parents try to fulfil all the needs and wants of their children, which will not help them to learn what it is to make sacrifices and the joy born out of it. To some extent hard work is disappearing. In many parts of the world, faith in God, joy of living together in the family, family prayer and the need for the Sacraments are disappearing. Only energetic and faith-filled persons with their persuasive power and trusting prayer will be able to instil in them reawakening of the hidden desire for the Creator.
YOU ARE THE SUPERIOR GENERAL OF AN INTERNATIONAL ORDER FORMERLY BASED IN BELGIUM. YOUR GENERALATE HOUSE HAS BEEN SHIFTED FROM BELGIUM TO INDIA. DO YOU SEE THIS AS A TREND THAT WILL HAPPEN TO OTHER ORDERS TOO?
Recently, our congregation shifted its Generalate from Belgium to India. As Superior General of an international congregation I found it easier to function from India. There is a reason for this. The majority of our apostolic centres and communities are in India. Attached to the Generalate we have a home for senior citizens and they remind us of the realities of life. Many of our Indian sisters are working in the overseas missions, along with sisters from that area. Apart from visiting them, communication is much easier these days. In fact, a few Superiors General have shared their appreciation of our decision to shift our Generalate from Belgium to India. India is a source of hope for new vocations even now, whereas in Western countries vocations are on the decline. Considering this phenomenon, other congregations may follow in our footsteps too by shifting their headquarters to India.
GOING BY YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A RELIGIOUS AND A SUPERIOR, WHAT SUGGESTIONS WOULD YOU MAKE TO OTHER SUPERIORS—ESPECIALLY ABOUT RECRUITMENT AND FORMATION?
My experience is that all the congregations are enthusiastic about promoting vocations. They find new ways of attracting young women to the religious life and their institutes. If a young woman is offering to be a religious, it means there is a desire in her which needs to be appreciated and strengthened. Accompaniment, listening and understanding the person from her point of view are very important. Time spent with such girls is time gained, I would say. God’s personal love for each one of us needs to be taught again and again through Biblical stories.
However, we need to help the candidates to purify their inner motivation. Following Christ is Joy. As we share with the candidates their joyful situations and celebrations, we need to tell them that each one has a cross to carry. This is not to frighten the young minds, but the realities need to be explained. The truth that the protection of God of his chosen ones is always there needs to be stressed with Biblical references. There is a need to challenge them, too, with the congregation’s history and telling them about the sacrifices and difficulties our elders have gone through to keep the charism of the institute alive.
WHAT STYLE OF LEADERSHIP IS MOST EFFECTIVE TODAY?
Now moving on to leadership models we should adopt, participatory leadership is most effective today. Every person has something to share and a desire to share. There is more wisdom in many voices than in a single voice. This increases one’s listening capacity, the availability and readiness to be present to others. One’s patience is tested by the time spent with the other. People of honesty and commitment are courageous enough to do what they say. Their ability and willingness to risk, their high hopes, are all assets in a participatory model of leadership. Their contribution to the sharing of ideas and implementing the decisions through struggle, increases joy and creates one mind and one heart in the community. Mutual appreciation and trust in one another grow in such an atmosphere and the joy of working together is experienced. At times the process may be delayed. At such a stage what is needed is more understanding and upholding of one another.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM LAY PEOPLE AND FROM YOUTH?
We all belong to one family. What we are today is what we have learned from others. Today’s laity are often more enthusiastic than the religious to proclaim Christ. Their sacrifices and enthusiasm touch me a lot. I have learned a lot from them and really appreciate their dedication. The promise of Jesus in John 10: 16, “Then there will be one flock, since there is one shepherd” will be realised soon as the contribution of the laity is more nowadays.
Similarly, today’s youth energize me a lot, I must say. The majority of them are serious about their future and are trying to do all that is possible to have their dreams fulfilled. Their struggles and failures do not discourage them and the efforts they make give some high hope, as the future is in their hands. May God bless their efforts and enthusiasm. Thank you for reading.
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