Sister Carmel Madathiparampil began working in Africa as a missionary since 1993.

That was the year, the Daughters of St Paul, started the African mission project to commemorate the birth centenary of Servant of God Thecla Merlo, who founded the congregation along with Blessed James Alberione. It also coincided with Madathiparampil’s 25 years in the congregation. While in India, she worked in Mumbai, Delhi, Secunderabad and Shillong.

She began her African mission as community animator of Zambia. She shared with Lissy Maruthanakuzhy about her work in Africa.

It is 25 years since she has been working in Africa. In 1993, our congregation decided to launch a missionary project – open 15 new communities in countries where we were not yet present.

“The countries chosen were: Angola, China, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ivory Coast, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Uruguay, Vietnam, and Zambia.

I was among many sisters who responded. I was chosen for Zambia. I was excited. But I had to search the world map to find its location. I was thrilled to go to Africa.

I felt a new enthusiasm surging in me, like the one I experienced when I first decided to become a Daughter of St. Paul. I truly wanted to be a true daughter of St. Paul, emulating the saint’s apostolic zeal. Like him I wanted to go to the whole world and proclaim the Good News of Jesus.

I always experience new challenges in my mission in Africa. I see in the people of Africa a great thirst for the Word of God and for spiritual matters. The more I see this thirst, the greater is my response to respond. Like St. Paul who made himself all things to all people, nothing can stop me from spending myself in the mission.”

“The African people are very welcoming of missionaries. They are very respectful, generous, supportive, kind hearted, ready to collaborate, open and receptive.”