We invite you to discover Venerable Augustine John Ukken through his words, which beckon us to place love at the very heart of our lives.

Augustine John Ukken (1880–1956), Syro-Malabar Indian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity, was a radiant witness of God’s mercy. Born in Parappur, Kerala, he was orphaned at the age of six, an experience he transformed into total trust in God as Father and Mary as Mother. After formation at the Papal Seminary in Kandy, he was ordained in 1907 and devoted his life to the poor, especially in Chowannur, where he became a father to orphans, a comforter of the sick, and a friend of exploited farmers. His spirituality centered on the Eucharist, the Sacred Heart, and humble self-giving. His constant motto was: “To love is your duty; let no one surpass you in loving.” In 1944 he founded the Sisters of Charity to continue his charism of merciful service. Both mystical and active, he was contemplative before the tabernacle and tireless in action, accepting trials as a way of sharing in Christ’s passion. He died in Chowannur in 1956, leaving behind a legacy of limitless love and unwavering trust in divine providence.

Text of Augustine John Ukken:

I shall not question when I have to suffer in anyway, how much it costs me or how miserable I am; but how I am becoming similar to my most sweet master and mother! I shall feel happy when I have to serve and if I am left in the background then I shall know that I am becoming similar to my master.

—Augustine John Ukken, Lights from Heaven, September 27, 1904.

Commentary:

Augustine John Ukken, a Syro-Malabar priest of Kerala, India, who founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity, left us with writings of remarkable humility. Though he lived a life marked by hardship—losing both parents at a young age, enduring rejection and loneliness—he chose to interpret suffering not as a curse but as a privileged participation in the life of Christ.

In the text above, Augustine reveals the heart of his spirituality. He refuses to focus on the pain, the cost, or the misery of suffering. Instead, he seeks to measure his trials by their resemblance to his “most sweet Master and Mother”—Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this spiritual logic, suffering is not meaningless; it is a pathway to conformity with Christ, who “humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8).

The Vincentian charism invites us to find Christ in the poor, the suffering, and the overlooked. Augustine does not say he “enjoys” suffering in itself; rather, he embraces the joy of becoming similar to Christ through it. His life testifies that service, humility, and hiddenness are not losses but ways of being united to Jesus, who himself was hidden for thirty years in Nazareth, and who washed the feet of his disciples in silence and humility.

The second part of his reflection is equally profound: “I shall feel happy when I have to serve and if I am left in the background then I shall know that I am becoming similar to my master.” Here, Augustine touches the very essence of Christian service. To serve, even without recognition, even when left “in the background,” is to imitate Christ, who came “not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). In a world that prizes visibility, prestige, and acclaim, Augustine reminds us that true discipleship is measured not by being in the spotlight but by being faithful in love. Joy is not found in applause but in service hidden in God.

As Saint Vincent de Paul taught, “It is not enough to love God if my neighbor does not love Him” and, “We must love God… but let it be by the labor of our hands and the sweat of our brows.” The call is to serve concretely, even when unrecognized. Augustine echoes this teaching, showing that humble service, even unseen, is radiant before God.

His words challenge us to examine our own attitudes toward suffering and obscurity. Do we see trials as opportunities to grow in resemblance to Christ, or do we resist them as obstacles? Do we rejoice only when our efforts are acknowledged, or do we also embrace the hidden background where God alone sees? Augustine invites us into a spirituality where joy flows not from circumstances but from likeness to Christ in humility and service.

Ultimately, this reflection is not about glorifying suffering but about glorifying Christ, who transforms suffering into love and service into joy. Augustine’s life and words remind us that holiness is often hidden, like a seed in the earth, bearing fruit in silence.

Suggestions for personal reflection and group discussion:

1. How do I usually respond to suffering—by focusing on the pain, or by seeing it as a chance to grow closer to Christ?
2. What does it mean for me to “serve in the background” with joy?
3. How do I balance the desire for recognition with the call to hidden service?
4. In what ways can I imitate Augustine’s humility in my daily life of service?
5. How does this text encourage me to reframe my trials in light of the cross and resurrection?

Let us pray:

Lord, do not let me be lost in the weight of pain
or in the bitterness of what it costs me.

Teach me to see my trials
as a chance to grow closer to You,
who accepted suffering with gentleness
and transformed it into love.

Let me find joy in serving,
even if I remain unseen,
even if no one notices,
for You, who see in secret, will know.

May my heart embrace simplicity and humility,
rejoice in silence,
and discover in every surrender
a deeper likeness to You.

Amen.