Leprosy Day: Silent Heroes, the work of Catholic Nuns

Credit: Sr Lalitha Fernando

Source: St Francis Leprosy Guild

World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January every year, to increase public awareness of leprosy. It is estimated that around four million people worldwide are affected by leprosy. This year the UK-based charity, St Francis Leprosy Guild, asks the Catholic community to reflect upon and pray for the work of the Catholic nuns who dedicate their lives to caring for people with leprosy.

St Francis' Chief Executive Officer, Clare McIntosh, says: "It is impossible to quantify how much our dedicated Catholic nuns have transformed lives, caring for people with leprosy and leprosy stigma. Their legacy of love and care is immeasurable and, thank heavens, continues unceasingly. We feel privileged to support the great work of these silent heroes."

Sr Lalitha Fernando of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, for example, works with leprosy patients from the Badulla Leprosy Centre, situated in the lower central hills of Sri Lanka. Her work includes long journeys and travelling to remote locations. She visits people with leprosy as their friend, so their neighbours don't suspect a link with leprosy, and the stigma and rejection, so often associated with this disease, can be avoided. "No matter how long my journey or how tired I feel, I love doing the work of St Francis" said Sr Lalitha who visits around 22 people with leprosy every month.

Some are frail and elderly, others are isolated and alone and some are living with lifelong disabilities due to leprosy. Sr Lalitha is aware that people with leprosy suffer from weakened immune systems and are susceptible to disease and injury and especially, to developing leprosy-related ulcers. So, she takes medication on her visits as well as provisions, such as milk powder and nutritional supplements to top up their daily rations.

In addition to their patron, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, St Francis Leprosy Guild is supported by Bishop Declan Lang of Clifton, in his capacity as Lead Bishop on International Affairs for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

"We are inspired by the work that St Francis Leprosy Guild and the sisters carry out in Sri Lanka, and in other countries across the world" said Bishop Lang. "In the communities that you support, there must be great loneliness and hardship - I know that the visits and care you provide have a transformative impact on people's lives."

Prayer for people with leprosy and the nuns that care for them:

Lord, we remember the many people around the world afflicted by leprosy.

May we follow the example of your Son, Jesus, and St Francis of Assisi and show them love and compassion.

We pray that they may be freed from the disease and its stigma.

We give thanks for those who have been cured.

We remember those who are permanently marked by the disease and all who care for them.

We give thanks for every Catholic nun who is caring for people with leprosy.

We pray that you will bless them with everything that they need to serve those in their care and sustain them in their mission.

Amen.

The Guild has assembled information in a 'toolkit'. It can be found on their website at: www.stfrancisleprosy.org/world-leprosy-day-2022.html