Where there is darkness

I recently started on my next phase of work with ACCS – to interpret the mission of Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) schools in Singapore in today’s context. Out of the huge bag of reading material Sr. Julia passed me, I pulled out a book on the life of Mother St. Mathilde, the foundress of the Missions of the Holy Infant Jesus Sisters in Asia.

The book Where There is Darkness by P. Jenkins, SJ. is an easy-to-read, little book that spoke volumes to me and touched my heart deeply. I was awed by the humble, courageous and loving women and men described in the book, who gave their lives for Christ, in totality.

There are books one reads for pure entertainment, or for an appreciation of the written word. And then there are books that can change your life for they inspire the human spirit, and one is never quite the same again for the message within has opened doors to realms previously unexplored. This book is one of the latter variety. While it is not particularly well-written prose, it is inspired by the Holy Spirit, as was Justine Raclot, better known as Mother St. Mathilde.

Tracing the emergence of a shy, French girl into a capable and selfless woman with a wry sense of humour, the book chronicles the missionary journey undertaken by Mother Mathilde from France to Southeast Asia and Japan. Modelling herself on St. Francis of Assisi, Mother Mathilde and her companions brought hope and love into the lives of the marginalized and disadvantaged, converting the hearts of many, not by preaching the Gospel, but by living out Gospel values.

Mother Mathilde remained undaunted by the many setbacks she encountered and the hardships endured in her forty odd years in Asia. Her actions were dictated only by the authority of Jesus and she was a loving, wise leader who inspired those who surrounded her. Her life is a testament to the Father and she was a bright light that dispelled the darkness wherever she went.

I only hope I am able to translate the message of the lives of Mother Mathilde and the IJ sisters and help inspire the minds of current and future IJ students when the project is done.