Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church -125
Sister Philomina Mary
Sister Philomina Mary, who has been consistently working with the aim of liberating the fishermen from their oppressed state, was born on December 11, 1930, as the eldest of nine children to Thakadiyel Thomas and Verungkal Mariyamma, in the village of Thidanadu, Meenachil Taluk. From a young age, she had a desire to live a life of service for others. She was educated at Ambanirappu, Bharananganam, and Athirampuzha schools. Her stay at the Aradhanamatham boarding school further intensified her desire to join the religious congregation.
From a young age, she was interested in serving the sick more than teaching. After completing her high school education, in July 1948, she joined the medical mission sisters’ congregation in Kottayam. This congregation is an international religious community, and it was in Pakistan that Dr. Mother Annad, without medical assistance, started a hospital for mothers and children. During this period, Muslim women were not allowed to be examined by male doctors. Initially, the congregation did not permit nuns or priests to practice medical procedures such as surgeries or childbirth, but Mother Annad was in constant communication with Rome to gain approval for this.
In March 1948, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Hospital (Merigiri) was started in Bharanganam. The goal was to develop the hospital with modern medical facilities. Around twelve women from Kerala who had passed nursing and midwifery exams in Rawalpindi helped in this initiative. The hospital started with the assistance of two foreign sisters. There was a need for doctors, pharmacists, and laboratory technicians at this hospital.
After completing her novitiate, Philomina Mary was sent for higher studies at Assumption College in Changanassery. The authorities were aiming for her to become a doctor, but she had no interest in it. After completing her intermediate and B.Sc., she was sent to Ahmedabad for a B.Pharm course. The course duration was two and a half years, and she completed it in 1956. She worked for one year at Holy Family Hospital in Bandra and another year at Holy Family Hospital in Patna. In 1957, she was appointed Chief Pharmacist at Chethipuzha St. Thomas Hospital, where she worked until 1965. She performed her assigned duties with precision and grace.
In 1965, when the Medical Trust Hospital was taken over by the Medical Mission Sisters, she was appointed its first administrator. Due to incomplete work, only a dispensary was initially opened, but soon 30 beds were arranged. Within a year, operating theaters and maternity rooms were equipped with modern facilities. When Sister moved from there in 1970, the hospital had grown into a well-established institution with 150 beds.
By 1970, private hospitals and trade unions began to rise, and conflicts in employment issues started frequently. Realizing the need for scientific management in hospital administration, she was appointed to pursue Hospital Management at Delhi University in 1970. After completing the three-year evening course, she obtained an MBA in 1973. While studying, she also worked as Chief Pharmacist and Assistant Administrator at Holy Family Hospital in Delhi.
In 1973, she was appointed Administrator at St. Thomas Hospital in Chethipuzha, where she served for five years. During this time, she initiated discussions in the community to bring about changes in the congregation’s approach to health services. The Second Vatican Council’s emphasis on the mission of healing led her to promote the idea that health is not just physical but involves the total well-being of a person, and the Church’s primary focus should be on serving the oppressed and marginalized.
Philomina Mary’s leadership at the hospital also led to an evaluation of its operations, and it was concluded that hospital services were not reaching the poor as effectively as they should. She believed that 85% of patients could be prevented from becoming sick. The Church’s health mission, she realized, had much more to accomplish. This awareness led to some key decisions about focusing on the health of marginalized communities.
The shift in her approach was also influenced by the Second Vatican Council’s guidelines and the Church’s teachings on social justice, encouraging the Church to take a more active role in advocating for the rights of the oppressed and marginalized. She was a key figure in several movements aimed at improving the living and health conditions of fishermen and the marginalized, including participating in protests, organizing campaigns, and advocating for improvements in healthcare, education, and living conditions.
In addition to her significant work in health and education, she played an active role in social justice movements, including the fight against the exploitation of fishermen, working alongside workers to secure better wages, pension schemes, and improvements in the living conditions of women in the fishing industry. She also worked towards the improvement of working conditions for women in fisheries and pushed for the eradication of corruption in the markets.
Philomina Mary’s dedication to social justice was also reflected in her advocacy for the recognition and improvement of the lives of marginalized communities, especially in Kerala. Her active involvement in organizing and fighting for the rights of the fishermen is an important chapter in the history of Kerala’s social movements. Despite facing opposition and hardships, including physical injury, she continued her work with determination and faith, knowing that her mission was one of liberation and service to the oppressed.
Sister Philomina Mary’s commitment to the poor and marginalized reflects the very essence of Christian social teachings, emphasizing that Christ’s mission is not just about spiritual salvation but also about fighting for justice, equality, and the well-being of all. Through her work, she exemplifies the true meaning of being a Christian by standing alongside the poor and oppressed, advocating for their rights, and working towards the establishment of God’s Kingdom here on earth.