(The remarks of the interviewer are in italics.)
(“God has loved me so.” What a wonderful way to begin one’s life story. After Sister Sangeeta’s months of sabbatical following her years of SCN Community leadership, she decided to spend some time reflecting and sharing her story. And a wonderful story it is!)
Sangeeta was born Rosamma (Rosa) on December 28, 1956 in Erumely, Kerala to Mathew and Mariamma Ayithamattam. She was the ninth child of eleven, five boys, six girls. In the words of the midwife who ushered her into life, Rosa was “the ninth one and therefore the golden child”. Needless to say, she received much teasing and comment from her siblings in regard to that label.
Hers was a happy, loving family, willing to work hard and work together. Rosa was particularly close to her third brother Antony and her third sister Mary. It was Mary who did Rosa’s hair, helped her with homework and other skills for growing up. Mother Mariamma, was a compassionate and gentle woman while father Mathew was a person of strength, pioneer-like, a visionary, willing to take risks for the benefit of his family. Both were prayerful persons, of deep faith expressed in long morning and evening family prayers and regular church activities, giving their children the example of faith, hard work and close family.
Mathew was brave enough to leave his own family’s home soon after marrying. He and Mariama began their young married life with few resources but with faith, courage and determination. Much later on, after they had their nine children, Mathew took the six oldest, three boys, three girls, and moved to north Kerala (the remote Malabar Region) where there was more possibility of property holdings for his sons. Mariama stayed in south Kerala with the younger children until four years of hard work of establishing another home was completed. It was always, “What would be good for the family?”.
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam’s parents, Mathew and Mariamma
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam with some of her siblings
Rosa, at five years of age, walked about two miles to study in the Primary Government School. Despite their financial constraints her parents, desirous of giving her a Catholic education, put her in the nearby boarding school. She attended boarding schools once she was in the fifth standard. The Sacred Heart Sisters were kind enough but Rosa was homesick and always waited for Fridays to go home for weekends. In high school she was taught by the Sisters of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. These Sisters were also kind but there was no attraction to religious life that came from these years of schools and boarding school life.
The attraction and call to follow Jesus came another way. Her maternal Uncle Antony Ramanattu was a Third Order Franciscan priest, a missionary to Bihar in northern India. When he came to their home to visit, Rosa was fascinated by his stories of the poverty and oppressive life of the poor, and what his priestly brothers and other missionaries were doing to alleviate their sufferings. Rosa began to hear God’s call and, even in high school, began to ask about going to the missions. She dreamed of what she might be called to do for God’s people.
Rosa completed high school at fifteen and asked her parents for permission to go with her uncle to Bihar, the question burning inside her. Her parents felt that she was too young and so she stayed home a year, helping at home and learning domestic skills she had missed while in boarding school. She also began to assist with Church activities, such as teaching catechism, leading the mission league, and being in the choir. She even studied German, hoping that she might be allowed to go to Germany with her cousins and study nursing, a step toward being a missionary. Her parents were not supportive. That was not an option for young Rosa.
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam with members of her family
(Meanwhile, Rosa stayed in touch with her Uncle Antony. He knew she was continuing to seek her parents’ approval to be a Sister. At first, he recommended the Holy Cross Sisters in Hazaribagh, Bihar. Months later he said, “No, I believe that the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Mokama would be a good choice for you.” How God’s will leads and guides is ever amazing!)
Rosa had learned courage and determination from her father. Finally, after her persistent requests, her parents gave consent. When she named the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Bihar, they were skeptical. Her father said to Rosa, “Child, you will never be able to survive in Bihar. You will return.” In reply Rosa said, “I will not.” All helped her to get ready for the long travel to Bihar. Her parents constantly worried about how secure Rosa would be in Bihar in a convent. Her father told his son, Tomy, who was a ‘family man’ that Rosa should feel at home when she came. Brother Tomy, in his new home, created a special room painted rose, which his children now call, Auntie Rosa’s room.
The first SCN Rosa was in contact with was Sister Ann Palatty, the vocation promotor. She directed her to Sister Elizabeth Emmanuel Vattakunnel who was visiting home so Rosa could travel to Mokama with her. Sister Elizabeth Emmanuel in her interview, did not spare her from any of the difficulties and hardships of life in Mokama but Rosa did not falter. She remained strong and determined. They arrived in Mokama on September 6, 1975.
Here you have a seventeen-year-old, first time traveling for three days in the train, a long distance, to an unknown part of her country, knowing little English or Hindi, knowing no person in Mokama except the Sister who was her train companion. What courage! The Sisters were very kind and welcoming. She spent three weeks in Mokama with Sister Shalini D’Souza, the Novice Director, who would become a lifelong friend. What was unfamiliar, difficult and shocking was seeing the extreme poverty, dirt and the different cultural habits of the poor people of Mokama.
After a few weeks in Mokama Rosa traveled with Sister Sarita Manavalan to Ranchi where thirteen other candidates were living. They had entered in June, 1975 and Rosa in September. Sister Maria Palathingal was their Candidate Director.
One of the blessings while in Ranchi was that her Uncle Antony was able to come and visit. His encouragement, faith, and zeal gave Rosa great strength during this early time. His commitment to being a missionary continued to be Rosa’s inspiration.
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam with her Uncle Antony, TOR, in Mokama in 1979
In March 1976, Rosa and four other candidates were selected for pre-novitiate (postulancy) so they traveled to Mokama for their pre-novitiate experience. It was during this time that an historic flood happened in Mokama. Water covered three feet on the ground floor of the convent and hospital, everything had been moved to the second or third floors, animals were put on the roof. Bread was dropped by helicopter. When a gentleman in the area invited them to food and showers in his home, they had to wade through dirty flood waters to reach there.
Wading through the 1976 flood watersL-R: Sisters Sangeeta Ayithamattam, Shalini D’Souza, and Shaila Vattamattathil
Due to contaminated water and unsafe hygienic conditions dysentery and cholera were rampant and claimed many lives. Patients were on the roof of the hospital. It was three terrible, memorable weeks. Illnesses followed and the cleanup was a challenge, indeed.
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam with her novitiate companions and Novice Director, Sister Shalini D’Souza
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam with her novitiate companions and Novice Director, Sister Shalini D’Souza
The call of Vatican II on ‘option for the poor’ greatly influenced the SCN initial formation program as they strove to lead the postulants and novices to understand and journey with God’s people on the peripheries. An Ashram (hermitage) in the remote, secluded village of Sokho was established to bring about that closeness and understanding with the suffering people.
When entering the novitiate, Rosa decided to choose a Hindi name so as to be more enculturated with the people of Bihar. She was now Sister Sangeeta. She reflects, “For our canonical year which began in March, 1977 we went to remote Sokho. It is a hard-to-reach village which was almost impossible in the monsoon season when the nearby river flooded to dangerous levels. Teresita Theruvankunnel, SCN was our Novice Director in Sokho, a gentle and kind person. Sokho, however, was very difficult and challenging. The people were desperately poor, with malaria and tuberculosis prevalent. Life was most difficult and agonizing for us all. During the canonical year we were also exposed to immersion experiences guided by the Jesuit and SCN social activists. We each lived with a family for a month, sharing their food and chores and deprivations. The Jesuit priest, Philip Manthara, SJ and the SCN, Grace Androth, helped us to reflect and gain insights and benefit from our experiences. I knew at the end of that year that my call to religious life had withstood the test and God held me safe. I praise God that I was able to stay well through that year of profound experiences.”
The second year of novitiate meant a return to Mokama where Sister Shalini was again the Novice Director. Besides the regular prayer and meditation experiences, there were several classes each day, such as study of Scriptures, the Vows, SCN Constitutions, SCN Community History, Socio-political Analysis and exposure to SCN ministries, etc. The novices also had another two-month apostolic experience. Sangeeta was assigned to Gomoh, where the Sisters ministered among persons living with leprosy. This was a good community experience for Sangeeta. She felt as if she was being empowered to learn, grow, and become ever more responsible.
March 25, 1979 was the great day of Sangeeta’s First Vows. “Professing my Vows that day in the convent chapel in the midst of the people of Mokama parish, SCNs, and my family, marked my complete dedication to God. I would never mean it more than I did that day,” she says smilingly. Her two brothers, a nephew and her beloved Uncle Antony were there to celebrate with her. She deeply appreciated what it meant for her brothers to travel by train three days from Kerala carrying food goodies made by their dear mother and sisters.
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam with Novice Director Sister Shalini D’Souza on the day of Sister Sangeeta’s First Vows, March 25, 1979 in Mokama Chapel
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam with her family on the day she made First Vows, March 25, 1979
Here begins the long history of Sangeeta’s service to God and God’s people. She would also be called upon to serve in roles of SCN Community leadership, ministries that were gratifying and at times not so gratifying, but service roles of much importance. As a temporary professed, Sangeeta taught for a year each in primary grades in Nazareth Academy, Gaya and Nazareth Vidya Niketan, Chatra before becoming a student to complete her Plus 2 education. She then attempted the college education but that was interrupted by a delay in exam results. She was then selected for tertianship program making her Perpetual Vows on December 8, 1984. For the next few months, she assisted in Mokama Convent administration.
In April 1985 came a big leap in faith as well as a great opportunity to get to know the larger SCN Congregation when Sangeeta was missioned to the United States to work toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Biology at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. She resided with the community of SCNs at Morrison Hall close to the University and completed her studies in three years. Right away she was enrolled at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio to earn a Master’s degree in Health Administration where she lived with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd (RGS) for two years. There was a required internship connected to the Health Administration degree program. The first part of the internship was done at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Living with the three SCN Sisters, Mary Kevin Egan, Mary Finneran and Therese Arru, for that short time of four months was such a joy. The CEO William Fuchs and Sister Dorothy MacDougall, SCN, Vice President for Mission, gave Sangeeta invaluable exposure and mentoring.
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam with Sister Dorothy MacDougall at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky in 1990
The second part of the internship training was allowed to be spent in India. The five years of study and hard work in the United States were not always easy but the experience of getting to know and being known by many American SCNs would be an invaluable blessing in Sangeeta’s life. These years nurtured and enriched her love for the SCN charism of charity, community and mission. It widened her world view of religious life, helped her appreciate another culture, and life in general. These years were ones of growth in self-confidence, maturity, independence and purpose, searching for and finding God amid a diversity of life events and people.
College life in the United States
College life in the United States
In April 1990, Sangeeta returned to India and completed her health administration internship at Holy Family Hospital in Delhi under the guidance of Sister Lucia, MMS. In December 1990 she was assigned to Nazareth Hospital in Mokama, assuming the role of Assistant Administrator for a short period and then as Administrator until 1998.
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam with her faithful secretary at Nazareth Hospital in Mokama
These years in the healing ministry of Jesus were rewarding for Sangeeta as she loved the growing sense of family in the hospital building relationships among employees, the people of Mokama and surrounding districts. However, the demands of these years in hospital leadership took its toll on her body and spirit which required a few months of sabbatical. Respecting her desire to be missioned in a village, she was assigned to Sokho in the ministry of social work for a year. Afterwards, she moved on to serve at St. Stephen’s hospital, Delhi in the role of Administrative Officer. In August 2002, the Provincial leadership asked Sangeeta to move into the role of Associate Administrator in Kurji Holy Family Hospital, Patna to pioneer the partnership ministry with the Medical Mission Sisters.
It was in June 2002 that God called Sangeeta to the beginning of twenty years of SCN Community leadership. For those called it is an honor, yes, but also a serious responsibility and challenge. The year 2002 was a time of experimenting with new models of governance in the Congregation. Sangeeta’s first call was as Vice-Provincial of the Eastern Province in India with Sister Teresa Kotturan, Provincial, and Sister Marcelline Indwar, the other Vice Provincial. She recalls, “As a team we decided I would be responsible for the southern area of the country. My welcome to Bangalore included the query from my Sisters: Why are you here? What will you do? We do not need a Vice Provincial here”. As confused as I was about my role, my response was, I don’t know why I am here or what I am going to do; but let us find out together.” So started my journey of SCN leadership. The new missions emerging in the south required a different set of leadership skills and style. I began to realize how different yet sacred the journey of Community leadership is…. filled with surprises and challenges. I learned to lean on the wisdom of the Sisters and the lay collaborators.”
In June 2007, Sangeeta became the Provincial of the Eastern Province with Sister Reena Theruvankunnel and Sister Basanti Lakra serving as Vice Provincials and moved back to Bihar, living and serving from the Provincial House in Patna. She recalled a few significant events in those five years. In December 2007, the Province celebrated the Diamond jubilee, the 60th anniversary of SCN presence and mission in India.
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam with the 2007-2012 Province Board
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam with Sister Ann Roberta Powers at the Eastern Province Diamond Jubilee in 2007
In June 2008 the General Assembly (GA) of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth was held for the first time ever in Bangalore, during which the Sisters voted for the Vincentian Sisters of Charity (VSC) to merge into the SCN Congregation. In June 2012, in the bicentennial year of the Congregation, the Eastern Province bifurcated into two provinces, electing two province leadership teams (PLT) for the newly named Patna and Bangalore provinces. Subsequently, the PLT appointed an SCN to be responsible for the Sisters and missions in the country of Nepal.
Thankfully, Sangeeta had a few months of sabbatical in the summer of 2012 which meant a respite before she became a consultant and mentor for Nazareth Hospital.
In 2013 she was elected as Vice President of the SCN Congregation and moved to Nazareth, KY, serving with Sister Susan Gatz, President and Sister Brenda Gonzales, Second Vice President. That role began in September and Sangeeta was serving the Sisters in this special way again.
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam as Vice President with Sister Susan Gatz, President, and Sister Brenda Gonzales, Second Vice President
In June 2018, Sangeeta was called by the General Assembly to serve the SCN Community as its President. The two SCNs serving with her on the Central leadership Team were Adeline Fehribach and Jackulin Jesu.
Central Leadership Team 2018-2023L-R: Sisters Jackulin Jesu, Sangeeta Ayithamattam, and Adeline Fehribach
This was not an easy response for Sangeeta, having been in Province or Central leadership for the Congregation for the previous three terms. In important ways it was to be an unusual time.
In 2020, a global pandemic affected women, men, and children over the entire earth. SCNs were unable to gather as was their custom and desire. Zoom became an accepted method of communication and connection. As the Central Leadership Team prepared for the 2023 General Assembly, they came to the decision that it could only be a hybrid assembly – Western Province SCNs and other SCNs who had visas being in personal attendance and others being present by Zoom. Also, there had to be careful attention to those who might have been exposed to Covid. Gratefully, there was minimal incidence of illness.
A decision had been made at the GA 2018 to open a mission in Kenya. In February 2021, the Congregation opened a mission in the Malindi Diocese of Kenya. Two Sisters from Botswana and one each from the Patna and Bangalore Provinces answered the call to go to Kenya and presently there are four SCNs serving God’s people there.
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam in Botswana in the Kalahari Desert
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam with the Central Leadership Team and school children in Malindi, Kenya
A careful process for discerning the future of Nazareth was conducted during this time. Besides other stakeholders, SCNs in all Provinces were invited to participate. As a result of the discernment, a vision for Nazareth embodied in five pillars were presented for Nazareth’s future and approved by the 2023 General Assembly: The five pillars were these: Nazareth would be: a home for the Sisters, a guardian of the SCN legacy, a place of spirituality, a place where there would be ministry to the underserved, and a place of ecological sustainability.
It was a point of pride and gratitude that the Patna and Bangalore Provinces had reestablished for themselves the Eastern Provinces Development Office. There were other achievements as well as the ones named but as with other Central Leadership Teams, there was always appreciation for the support and ministries of the Sisters.
(This interviewer would like to quote from a beautiful essay Sangeeta herself wrote on the ministry of leadership, serving as president.)
“‘What God does FIRST and BEST is Trust US with our moment in history.’ These words from Walter Bruggeman inspire me to realize that the ministry of leadership is the work of the Spirit.
I had to let go of wanting to look good and do any comparisons to previous Presidents or Teams. My ministry had to be about embracing what God and the congregation wanted from me.
I feel a responsibility to God and to the Congregation about how I lead; I pray daily, especially to Catherine to guide me, my Team and the Executive Committee with God’s wisdom to be the focus of unity and oneness across the Community.
Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam in the company of Sisters and others in the Sisters of Charity Federation
I love my ministry. It is where I strive to live out my convictions, hopes and ideals for deepening our SCN life and mission. Some of them get implemented; others do not.
A privilege of being the leader is the ability to spend time in Provinces and mission with Sisters, those in formation and with those on the margins. I know every SCN in the Congregation and value that as a great blessing and strength.”
(Sangeeta’s ministry of leadership ended in September 2023. She spent the next months in a sabbatical having a time of rest and relaxation and experiencing mission in several locations in the Western Province. She returned to the Patna Province in May 2024. Her joyous, loving presence is greatly missed in the Western Province.)
Interview and story by Maria V. Brocato, SCN
May, 2024