God, grant me serenity,
that I may accept what I cannot change,
courage so that I change what I can change
and wisdom so that I distinguish one from the other.

With the words of this prayer, we begin Thursday’s meetings for homeless women who come to Depaul in Odesa, Ukraine. For many of them, the Depaul building has become home, because here they receive what every human being needs: to eat a meal, have a wash and rest. After meeting these basic needs, we try to take care of their spiritual dimension of life.

In these meetings, 6 to 10 women participate every week. Last year we learned about the lives of biblical women from Eve to Mary, the Mother of God. Each biblical figure spoke to us through her life, full of joy and sorrow, suffering and humiliation, sinfulness and holiness. More and more these women became convinced that God is not far from them, He is not indifferent to what they experience and the difficulties they face. Often it was the case that while listening to a lesson on one or another of the biblical characters, tears appeared in their eyes, showing that what they were hearing touched their hearts.

After the meetings focused on biblical women concluded, we transitioned to a topic suggested by our homeless women: “How to come to terms with your own life.” Most of the women who attend these meetings struggle with alcohol problems, often using substances as an escape from the hurtful and painful experiences they have faced. Through the stories of biblical women, we learn that we are not always responsible for the injuries inflicted upon us by others. We are, however, responsible for our present adult lives. While our past may influence us, it does not define us. We can learn to love ourselves and others despite our histories. We can come to terms with our lives and live them creatively. During the meetings, there is also time for conversation over tea, where the women share their thoughts and experiences or ask questions.

At such moments, I discover how the Poor evangelize me! As I listen to their stories, I discover for myself what the words of Constitution 10a mean: The Sisters find Christ and contemplate Him in the heart and life of those who are poor, where His grace is ever at work to sanctify and save them. Through their lives, Jesus shows me how He loves me, how much I have received from Him, and how I often do not know how to appreciate what He gives me.

As an example, I will describe the story of one woman who regularly attends the meetings. A few months ago in Depaul, there was a lady named Maria, who had a rosary hung around her neck and claimed to be a Catholic. She is the only one of the women who always says as a greeting, Praise be Jesus Christ!

She just told her story at one of the meetings. She was born in Transcarpathia in a Catholic family. She was raised by her believing grandparents and parents. She had a happy marriage, a loving husband and a good job. But after her husband’s death, his son appeared, whom she had not known before. He proved his right to inherit their apartment, but it was soon taken away by the court and Maria was left homeless, on the street. Maria accepted this reality, saying: “Maybe the Lord God needs just such a sacrifice from me!” She is destitute; she has not yet reached retirement age, and her health does not allow her to work. She thanks the Lord God for Depaul, that she can stay there, despite the many inconveniences that come from staying together with homeless and addicted people.

After finishing one of the meetings, Maria said: “Sister, I can’t sit idle, I want to do something!” We gave her a job: she threads Miraculous Medals and packs Green Scapulars for soldiers, expressing her joy at being able to contribute to the spread of the Medal. Maria reports every few days: “Yesterday I gave some medals. When they see that I’m threading, they start getting interested and ask for a medal. I give them by telling them to be careful with it, because it is not a talisman of any kind, but a sign of Our Lady’s protection.”

In conclusion, I will return to the prayer with which I began my testimony. I also hung this prayer in my room, so that when I prepare for catechesis or for meetings with the Poor, I do not forget to say to the Lord: God, grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change in my life or in the lives of the Poor; the courage to change what I can change, and the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.

Sr. Mariana Agalarova, DC
Source: https://filles-de-la-charite.org/