My Journey of Love: A Mission of Hope
My journey of love began on 29th October 1997, when I was gifted to my loving parents, John Manual and Laila John, as their second daughter. My mother was a devout and prayerful woman who once desired to become a religious. She had deep devotion to Our Blessed Mother and to saints such as St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and St. Anthony, among many others. During our childhood, she taught my sister and me to love selflessly—without expecting anything in return. Through her life, she revealed to us the value of prayer, endurance, and redemptive suffering. I truly believe that she now enjoys the glory of the Lord in Heaven.
From a very early age, I was drawn to the Church, to prayer, and to pious practices. This attraction grew stronger whenever my aunts, Sr. Telma Pathrose CCR and Sr. M. Perpetua CCR, visited us. I was often fascinated by their joyful presence, their peaceful nature, and their loving hearts. I saw them as special and respected them with the same reverence and affection that my mother had for them. Being the younger child in the family, I had a mischievous side too. Like a tomboy, I loved climbing trees, playing cricket, and riding my bicycle. Yet, amid all that childhood fun, the desire to become a religious sister like my aunts continued to grow within me.
The day I received Jesus in the Holy Eucharist—26th May 2009—was a turning point in my life. That day, I made a silent promise to Jesus: that I would be His forever. After receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion, I began to take life more seriously, feeling a deeper sense of purpose stirring within me. Years passed swiftly, and in 2013 I completed my SSLC examinations. On the day the results were announced, I visited St. Joseph’s Convent, Tuet, along with my mother. There, I met Sr. M. Ferdinand and shared my desire to join the religious life. The Sisters welcomed me joyfully, and on 31st May 2013, I entered St. Thérèse’s Provincial House and became part of the CCR family. As I stepped into God’s house, my heart was filled with peace and joy. On 16th July, I was officially received as an aspirant.
The Aspirancy was a time of growth, immersing myself in Scripture, learning languages, deepening my prayer life, practicing silence, and cultivating an awareness of God’s presence in everyday life. However, this period was also marked by sorrow. On 15th October 2015, my beloved mother was called to her eternal home. Her passing was a great blow to our family, yet the Lord gave me the strength to endure that pain. I turned to Our Blessed Mother, asking her to be our mother now. After completing my aspirancy, I was sent to Telangana for one year of postulancy. This time of formation helped me deepen my love for the Lord and imbibe the spirit of Carmel. The two years of novitiate were transformative—I learned to spend quiet time in the presence of the Lord and to long for Him at every moment. On 29th April 2019, I made my First Profession at Holy Angels’ Novitiate in Pune. After my profession, I returned to my province. As a young junior sister, I pursued my graduation, actively participated in community life, and involved myself in apostolic works. These experiences helped me mature in my religious life and grow in my commitment.
The six years of juniorate, and especially the time of tertianship, helped me absorb the essence of religious life and the spirit of Carmel. On 30th April 2025, I said my final “Yes” to the Lord, making my Final Profession into the hands of Sr. Molly Attully, our Superior General, during a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by His Lordship Rt. Rev. Bishop Paul Antony Mullassery, Bishop of Quilon.
And now, my journey of love—for a mission of hope—continues…
