As Mother General, it is important for me to get to know the culture and homeland of our fellow sisters who come to us from other countries. Therefore, on April 13, 2025, I flew to Kerala, India, together with Sr. Monikka and Elisabeth Kuntschke.

In Kerala, we were warmly welcomed by Sr. Monikka’s family and were able to stay there for a week, until Easter Sunday. Amidst the family, we could experience South Indian culture up close and try the diverse cuisine ourselves.

A special experience was the invitation from Bishop Selvister in Punalur for a joint lunch. During our stay, we were also warmly welcomed by three other bishops.

Our journey took us further north to West Bengal, where we were able to visit the famous hill station Darjeeling. We then traveled on to Nongstoin and Shillong in the state of Meghalaya. Thanks to the close contacts with the Capuchins, with whom we were guests repeatedly, we gained valuable insights into the daily lives of local families.

We were particularly impressed by the cheerfulness and warmth of the people. Despite the visible poverty, especially in the cities, our encounters with the people and religious remain vivid in our memories.

A heartfelt thank you to Father Siju, a Norbertine priest, who accompanied us on our journey to the East and, together with Sr. Monikka, perfectly organized the itinerary.

© Photos: Sr. M. Birgit Dorfmair