Thirty Years of Care, Courage, and Commitment in HIV/AIDS Ministry at St Vincent’s Home, Muringoor, Kerala
Three decades ago, HIV/AIDS was a dreadful disease. The silent cry of those affected by it was unheard by friends and family. Here is a story of Vincentians fathers (VC) and sisters (DC) who became an oasis of Hope and gave meaning to the life of the victims of the dreaded disease.
St. Vincent’s Home for the AIDS Patients was started in 1996 by Rev. Fr. George Panakal VC. It is a beautiful service carried out by them at Muringoor, Kerala. The Daughters of Charity of Vincent de Paul (DC) collaborate with the VC fathers to serve those infected with HIV for the last 30 years. They have served more than three thousand patients; hundreds had peaceful death. At one time, we had 107 patients along with their children. Some of the children were brought from the hospitals just after their birth. We also have the facility for the children’s education.
A True Testimony of Hope
Sr Jaya Mary DC, who had served there for seven years from 1996, said: “It was one of the most beautiful services I ever did. When I was asked to serve the patients, the disease was so dreadful and there was no medicine at that time. Within six years, almost hundreds of patients had died there. I came face-to-face with death every day, still I was not afraid.”
Most of them got the disease through their wayward life. Nobody helped them when they contacted this disease. Some used to reach the institution thinking of committing suicide. Sister Jaya added: “Once, a handsome young man, in his early twenties, came to the house; after his second retreat, he came to me and said: look at my bag, I have two covers in it. One contains Rs. 2,000; until the money gets over, I will attend the retreat; the second cover contains a packet of poison. I have nothing else, and nobody wants me.”
After his third retreat, he went to Sr Jayamary in tears and said, “Sister, you keep this with you, I don’t want to commit suicide. I want to live with Christ and for Christ as many days as possible”. Usually, people affected by AIDS/HIV become weaker day by day, but he was becoming healthier and more energetic. One day, I told him to repeat the HIV test. He was not willing to do it; he showed his positive test report. However, the next day the test was done, and the report was negative. Within seconds, life changed; he could not control his tears.
Many women got the disease due to the infidelity of their husbands. They used to be bitter and angry toward their husbands, but through the constant effort of the sisters, all of them died after forgiving them. When they were able to forgive those who transmitted the disease, many of them could lead a peaceful life. Sr Sheeba DC said, “It was the most beautiful service I ever did. I feel lots of fulfilment in my vocation”.
Better health and more life span
Till 2003, we were only taking care of them and preparing them for a peaceful death. There were 832 deaths in our home till then. Treatment for the patients started from 2003 onwards. We started regular check-ups and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to increase their immunity. So, the death rate began declining. Sr Rose Panathara DC says, “I have 10 years of experience. I could be a mother to the motherless, and a sister to many. In most cases, the inmates had no contact with family. Due to the efforts of the sisters, now many are in touch with their families. Some of them go home for a few days. So mental stress is much less now.
A Day at St Vincent’s Home
The day begins with morning prayer (Sapra), Holy Eucharistic celebration, Adoration and personal prayer. They do some work like taking care of animals, rosary-making, preparing rooms, writing postal addresses, making covers, gardening, etc. They watch TV. We also give them classes on faith and morals. They are happy and united as one family. We also arrange for them some entertainment programmes, such as taking them to movies.
The patients say, God sends angels disguised in human form: Angels of Hope, and we are with them. There is a lot of hope in Vincent’s Home; they stand at the shore of death smiling in hope.
By Sr Soniya K Chacko DC
