This nun from India was born in 1989 in Andhra Pradesh, and she is studying the last year of the Licentiate in Social and Institutional Communication at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. She has had the collaboration of the CARF Foundation, which granted her partial study aid for each year of her studies.
India, a multi-religious environment
Her story is very particular since she was born in a multi-religious environment. “I was born in a semi-Catholic family located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. I have an older sister and a brother. My home was not in the midst of a majority Hindu society, but in a Catholic colony founded and established by French missionaries 150 years ago,” Fathima recalls.
These missionaries were the ones who saw the need to protect the Christian faith in Hindu society, and thus formed this Catholic colony that has resisted many difficulties imposed by the government and radical Hindu organizations.
She explains her family roots: “I have mentioned that my family was semi-Catholic because my mother came from a Hindu family. After marrying my father, who was Catholic, she embraced Christianity and since then she has remained faithful to the faith.”
Her dialogue with her Hindu relatives
Visiting the places where her maternal relatives lived made her understand the difference between those who embraced Christ and those who did not. “Although my Hindu relatives live a very virtuous life, they lack the assurance of salvation and life after death. This has made me realize that it is very necessary to establish a dialogue with them to make them see how they can satisfy this desire for salvation.”
Fathima explains that this does not necessarily mean that everyone has to convert to the Catholic faith, but rather that they have to find a way to embrace eternal truth. “One of the greatest gifts I have received from my father is a firm faith in God and love for my neighbors, less privileged than me in faith. My father was very active in parish initiatives such as the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. He also used to go camping (he visited the places and preached the Gospel on weekends). All these elements that resonated in my mind ended up convincing me that I was called to lead a different life.”
Salvatorian Sisters, the first signs of a vocation
As a child and teenager, she received an education from the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Annecy. In those years, she was also deeply inspired by the charisms and apostolic activities of two other female religious congregations: the Missionaries of Charity and the Poor Clares of Christ the King.
“Little by little, I felt drawn to dedicate my life as a religious, but I had to know what my path was. Thus, God led me to the Sisters of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians, a congregation with universal identity and missionary spirit). In my parish, there was a great devotion to Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus, which also prompted me to join the Salvatorian sisters to be a missionary myself. I fell in love with their charisma, with making Christ known in every corner of the world,” she says with emotion.
Dedication in the face of adversity
The Salvatorian Sisters were the first to bring the Christian faith to the people of northeast India. After six years of training, she finally made her profession with them and was posted to Punjab, a state in northwestern India.
Fathima tells what this journey has been like since then, with its challenges and joys that have deeply shaped her way of understanding faith and service.
“The resilience and dedication I have witnessed in the face of adversity, especially among the marginalized communities we serve, has been a source of immense inspiration. Being a member of a missionary congregation is very enriching, both personally and spiritually. It allows you to learn about the very diverse cultures of the world, which helps you embrace different traditions and humanity with respect and love.”
The first time in Rome
After a year and a half of profession, she was called to Rome to help in the secretariat of the general administration of her general house.
“Realizing the need for greater effectiveness to advance my work and better contribution to my service as a communicator of the congregation, I was sent to study in Rome. Lacking the basic studies necessary for a bachelor’s degree, I enrolled in the 5-year Institutional Communication program at the University of the Holy Cross,” she says enthusiastically.
It just so happens that the founder of her international congregation also studied in Rome: Blessed Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan, who founded the community in 1889.
“Almost at the end of my studies, I can safely say that I now have enough training to communicate and connect with people from various parts of the world, where our sisters serve, ensuring that everyone can know and love the one true God, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world,” says the Hindu nun.
Help the nuns in your congregation
For this reason, she enthusiastically states that her “mission is to offer my skills to all the religious women of my congregation, nearly a thousand Salvatorian sisters in 26 countries on the five continents.”
All of them live the timeless challenge of following Jesus, bringing the Gospel to the poor and enabling them to develop their own resources. They collaborate to promote justice and improve the quality of life in our world.
“Growing up in India and witnessing the countless works of charity and apostolates aimed at improving the values and morals of society inspired me greatly, eventually leading me to embrace this way of life. However, the heroic acts of nuns often go unnoticed by local authorities and society. This requires people dedicated to communication who can promote this cause impartially,” she explains.
The opportunity of the digital age for a nun from India
Among her challenges are to publicize the services of the nuns, highlight their efforts to foster a feeling of solidarity and encourage similar noble works.
She explains that these experiences have highlighted the importance of communication to bridge distances, foster understanding and build communities based on the values of love, compassion and solidarity.
“The digital age presents a unique opportunity to amplify these stories, connect with a global audience and inspire collective action towards a more just and humane world, which inevitably has a positive effect on society. Hence, I aspire to put my studies at the service of religious women.
Looking to the future, I am full of hope and determination to use my education and experiences to advance the mission of the Salvatorian Sisters,” says Fathima Shirisha Giduthuri.
Create a support network
To this end, her goal is to develop innovative communication strategies that highlight the vital work that religious women do around the world, ensuring that their voices are heard and their efforts recognized.
Leveraging modern media tools and platforms, she aims to create a network of support and awareness that transcends geographic boundaries, uniting individuals and communities in a shared mission of faith and service. “Through these efforts, I am committed to promoting Gospel values and fostering a spirit of unity and collaboration in our global society.”
“Training is a noble task”
For all this training received, she thanks the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, which offers students the opportunity to learn about ecclesiastical communication, training in media and social communication, enabling them to support the mission of the Church in their own territories or dioceses.
“I especially want to thank my benefactors at the CARF Foundation, whose financial support for our studies makes it possible to achieve education in Rome. I remember your generosity with a grateful heart. Educating a priest or religious is, without a doubt, a noble task, since these people end up selflessly bringing the fruits of their studies to the people in their own places. My sisters and I pray for all of you.”
