Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-103
C. Dr. Michael Francis has demonstrated remarkable work in the field of medical care, dedicating his life to extending the compassionate love of Jesus to marginalized groups such as leprosy patients, fallen women, abandoned children, and the deaf and mute. He was born as the fourth child among ten siblings to the couple Varghese and Thresiamma in the Parambikudumbam family in Irinjalakuda.
After completing his education at Elizabeth High School, he enrolled in Ernakulam Maharajas College, earning a B.Sc. degree. He then worked as a teacher. From a young age, Elizabeth harbored a desire to become a nun. Despite opposition from family members, she joined the Assisi Congregation of the Amala Othbhava Mother at the age of 25, taking the name C. Michael Francis upon receiving her first vows. The Assisi congregation is dedicated to serving marginalized members of society.
Inspired by St. Francis, who embraced the neglected, C. Michael Francis dedicated his life to serving the poor and marginalized. In 1958, he went to Rome for advanced studies in medicine, earning his degree from the State University of Rome in 1963. He then trained in leprosy treatment and care at the Tropical School of Medicine in Kolkata in 1965, and later received the M.R.C.P. degree from the University of Edinburgh, England, in 1972.
C. Michael Francis was elected as the first Sister General of the congregation. During her ten years in this role, she found joy and fulfillment in treating leprosy patients. From 1988 to 1994, she served as the first Sister Provincial of the congregation’s St. Joseph Province.
The areas of social service identified by Sister Michael are numerous. She worked towards the comprehensive development of villages, striving to ensure housing, education, electricity, and sanitation facilities for all. She constructed 176 houses across three villages in Tamil Nadu, empowering residents with knowledge about their rights. She also distributed 70 cents of land per villager for tea cultivation from land provided by then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran. Additionally, she encouraged the cultivation of vegetables as part of a rotation crop.
Alongside villagers, sisters and aspirants worked tirelessly on house construction. Sister Michael initiated a special school for the education of blind and deaf children, and she started “Assisi Garments” in Aavinashi, Tamil Nadu, for their rehabilitation, which has received support from abroad and continues to operate successfully.
In Bhutikkottai, she provided jobs for 20 families through a coir factory and helped formulate a program to protect senior citizens. In Bangalore, she established a rehabilitation center for blind girls at the V. Garden parts manufacturing facility, in collaboration with the All India Blind Federation.
In Koogleethura, Tamil Nadu, she founded a school for impoverished rural girls, showcasing her vision for the future of nursing sisters. In addition to the care provided at the leprosy hospital, she initiated the S.E.T. (Survey, Education, Treatment) program aimed at leprosy eradication, establishing the project base in Cherthala taluk of Alappuzha district.
In response to a call from Archbishop of Bamberg, Caritas Germany, she sent 30 sisters to assist in four old age homes. This was a result of her tireless efforts. Sister Michael also took the initiative to send five sisters, including a sister doctor, to serve in Kenya, Africa, despite the risks involved.
Recognizing the pressing need of the time, she was inspired to establish the Green Gardens at the Mon. Joseph Kandath Memorial Cancer Research Center in Cherthala to help cancer patients, demonstrating her unwavering commitment regardless of financial constraints. Today, at 76, Sister Michael Francis continues to be actively involved in caregiving at the cancer center, having formed a forum of renowned doctors committed to service.
Sister shows a special interest in vanilla cultivation, which she started for the benefit of patients. The cultivation reflects her connection to nature and spirituality. Reading and hard work embody the essence of her blessed life. It is noteworthy that God has allowed her to see four continents. As she believes, “Without the Lord, we can do nothing” (John 15:5) — these words guide her actions.
