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:

• Never judge anyone rashly or interpret any action
• Never wish evil on anyone
• Never have any aversion to anone.
• Never utter harsh and ironical words that would wound charity and leave an impression of sadness or dejection in the heart.

Towards equals:

• Love and esteem
• Do not exaggerate their defects nor question good intentions and never be harsh and think yourself better than them.
• Help other Sisters in their needs before they ask help from you.
• The fragrance of love for each other should spread among the Sisters like the perfumed oil poured over Aaron’s head which flowed over his body and spread the fragrance over the entire Hermon mountain.

—Augustine John Ukken, Lights from Heaven, June 20, 1904.

Commentary:

In this text, Augustine John Ukken offers us a list of simple but profound exhortations for Christian living, especially within community. These words reveal his pastoral heart: he understood that holiness is not only about extraordinary acts of sacrifice but also about the daily gestures of love, patience, and humility that build communion.

He begins with negative exhortations—what we must avoid. “Never judge anyone rashly or interpret any action.” The temptation to judge is as old as humanity. Yet Augustine reminds us that quick judgments poison charity. When we interpret actions negatively without knowing the full story, we create division. St. Vincent de Paul warned: “Charity is the cement that binds communities to God and to one another.” Rash judgment cracks that cement.

Next: “Never wish evil 0n anyone… Never have any aversion to anypne.” This echoes the command of Christ: “Love your enemies” (Mt 5:44). Aversion corrodes the heart. To wish evil, even silently, contradicts the Gospel. Charity must guard even our thoughts.

He also warns: “Never utter harsh and ironical words that would wound charity and leave an impression of sadness or dejection in the heart.” Here Augustine shows his delicate sensitivity. Words can wound more deeply than actions. Irony, sarcasm, or harsh speech may leave scars, invisible but lasting. For him, charity is not only about big gestures but about guarding the tone and intention of our speech.

Then he turns to positive exhortations, especially concerning equals in community. “Love and esteem.” True charity is not paternalism but mutual respect. It means recognizing the dignity and gifts of others, and seeing them as companions, not rivals.

He continues: “Do not exaggerate their defects nor question good intentions and never be harsh and think yourself better than them.” This is a roadmap for humility. Augustine knows how easy it is to magnify the faults of others while minimizing our own. True charity means assuming the best, not the worst, about our brothers and sisters.

He adds: “Help other Sisters in their needs before they ask help from you.” This anticipatory charity is profoundly Vincentian: love that does not wait to be requested but goes out to meet the need. It reflects Christ’s proactive love—seeking the lost, healing the sick, feeding the hungry—before they asked.

Finally, Augustine offers an image that captures the beauty of community love: “The fragrance of love for each other should spread among the sisters like the perfumed oil poured over Aaron’s head which flowed over his body and spread the fragrance over the entire Hermon mountain.” This allusion to Psalm 133 is powerful: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity… It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron…” Unity in love is not only pleasing but fragrant, attracting others by its beauty.

In the Vincentian Family, we live and serve not as individuals but as part of a body. Augustine reminds us that the credibility of our mission depends on the quality of our fraternal charity. To judge less, to speak with gentleness, to esteem others, to help proactively, and to radiate the fragrance of love—these are not small details, but the foundation of authentic witness.

This is a spirituality both simple and demanding. Simple, because the rules are clear. Demanding, because they require daily vigilance of heart and tongue. Yet the promise is great: where charity reigns, God is present, and the fragrance of His love spreads beyond our communities into the world.