At the outset they are no different from any young college going girls, who aim to make it big in life. But deep down they nurture a desire that over powers all materialistic inclinations-this is the will to dedicate their lives to the welfare of others. A peek into the lives of the nuns at the Fatima Convent is a mere glimpse into the sacrifices these noble souls volunteer to make so that they may never be diverted from their path towards service.

Sister Santan Nago, superior general of the convent, says, “Life of a nun revolves around three vows- of poverty, chastity and obedience. They also have to promise to give up all worldly desires, a vow to celibacy and be obedient to all superiors. In addition to this they need to always be ready to serve the poor in any part of the country as they may be required to be.”

Explaining about the criteria of becoming a nun, Nago says that apart from giving up worldly pleasures, a nun is also expected to lead a simple and humble life. She should also be ready to commit herself to the cause of god and people and their sufferings

Speaking more about the process she says, “Young girls who come to us with the desire of becoming a nun are taken in and trained for four years. The basic qualification for a girl to join the convent is she should at least be a class 12 graduate. In addition to this any higher qualification is welcome. We even have girls coming in after class 10 saying that they wish to join the convent. After ensuring that their desire to join in is genuine we first send them to any of the colleges, which are run by us, and then they are trained for four years following that. It is only after this that they are inducted as sisters into the convent.”

... contd.