Carlo Torriani

SWARGA DWAR

The conversion of a catholic missionary

presented by

Card. Simon Pimenta

PIME Publications, PIME Regional House, Eluru - 534 0-07, A.P., India

A CONFERENCE AT TI SS

 Letter No. 10, Bombay, February 1977

 Dear Friend.

                    It is a long time, one year, that I do not write to you, not even at Christmas. I had been in Italy six months and I was supposed to go back again in January and take up some job in Italy. That was the desire of the superiors of my Institute. But when the General Superior came here for a visit, after seeing our work for the leprosy patients, he changed his mind, and decided to allow me continue the work in Lok Seva Sangam. Let us thank the Lord.

    On the occasion of the World Anti-leprosy Week I had been invited to speak to the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. That has a great significance for me. There I had been, for two years, as student of social sciences for an MA in social work. Now I was called back as a lecturer to speak of the leprosy control work in Bombay. I took with a friend of mine, doctor of Bombay Leprosy Project. He spoke about the medical aspect of leprosy. I spoke about the social aspect and the role of a social worker. When the time came for questions, they asked me why I came to India from Italy to work for leprosy patients. That was the time to explain to my colleagues my motivation and my faith.

    I told them that Jesus cured the leprosy patients and told his disciples to do the same. I am just following the example of my guru. He said that this has a symbolic meaning when he explain to the disciples of John the Baptism that the Kingdom of God is started since “the lepers are cleansed” (Luke, 7:22).

    If I give hope to the poor, to the forsaken, to the destitute, these are “good news” in action.

I came to India to learn as a student, and now they ask me to speak about my faith, what I do and why I do it. A good consolation for me, after so many years in waiting, accused or suspected of not being a missionary but a simple social worker. Of course, none of my colleagues was converted, nobody ask for baptism. But if any of them had a thought of doing something for leprosy patients, or if any started appreciating the teaching of Jesus, I think that a seed of the Kingdom of God started sprouting.

The good news are spread not only by way of words but also by actions.

    This is a small example to let you know that our work is going on and to share with you our efforts and our joys.

    Sr. Marie Armel, a Little Sister of Charles de Foucauld, a nurse who worked with leprosy patients in Kerala, is now working with our group. Sr. Luigina is organizing the medical staff since the dispensaries form three had become eight. Salafia is continuing his medical studies in order to become a surgeon and work for leprosy patients. The municipality has entrusted to us a full ward of the city, Kurla, and we are responsible for controlling leprosy among a population of 350,000. Every month we have to give a report to them.

    With your help and your prayers we hope to continue the work we have started, hoping that in this way the Kingdom may grow as we pray every day.

     Greetings to all of you, from all of us.