Golden Jubilee celebrations for Sr Margaret Correa RMI

Sr Margaret Correa and guest during her Golden Jubilee celebrations

Family and friends from around the world gathered in Southwell Gardens, Kensington recently, for the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Religious of Mary Immaculate (RMI) Sister Margaret Correa. Fr Michael Holman SJ was chief celebrant at the Mass, held in the community chapel. The choir was accompanied by Sr Margaret's brother-in-law on violin. During the Mass, Sr Margaret renewed her vows. Afterwards there was a reception during which her sister led tributes. Many friends and former students sent filmed messages which were shown on a big screen. The hall had been beautifully decorated by the sisters and there was a wonderful cake.

Born in Goa on 17 October 1953, Sr Margaret was the youngest of six children - five girls and a boy. An unexpected child, she was born ten years after her last sibling. "Some were married before I was born" she said. "I had a nephew who was older than me. My siblings were like aunts. My brother lived in the UK." Margaret said her unusual childhood made her feel chosen: Psalm 139: 'I knew you before you were knitted in your mother's womb' really resonated with her.

She went went to several Catholic schools as a child but never really settled. "I was the naughty one " she said. At the age of seven went to a very strict boarding school, but only lasted six months.

A life-changing event was the visit of a Religious of Mary Immaculate sister to her village. "She had come to see my sisters but I was very interested in what she had to say. She played the guitar I remember." Sr Margaret was immediately attracted by the RMI order, founded by Saint Vicenta Maria Lopes y Vicuna in Madrid in June 1876.

Initially, Sr Margaret was sent to Cuidad Real in Spain. She then went to Mumbai for formation. She joined in 1973. Soon before her final vows in 1982, Sr Margaret was sent on a months silent retreat in Rome. At one point she started to feel very anxious and told the retreat leader she wanted to go home. She was advised to "give it time" but then was told she could go if she wanted. "I was so confused, upset, so I went to the common room and found a copy of Hello magazine... As I looked at the pictures I saw a finger pointing - you search me and you know me. Then another picture of an eye. One image after another kept sending me a message." This time of reflection and prayer alleviated all her anxieties. Sr Margaret said she cut out all the pictures and kept them in her diary-scrapbook. "I take it wherever I go. If I have a beautiful experience I add it to the book."

After her final vows, Sr Margaret was given many responsible jobs back in Mumbai. She worked in a children's home; taught nursery and primary school children. Then she took her BEd and taught History and English in a secondary school where she became principal. During her first 22 years as a sister she also helped run a hostel and training centre for young women. In 2000 she helped found another house in the suburbs for young women working in domestic jobs. They were working in the day and studying with us at night so they were able to complete their education and get good jobs, she explained.

In 2007, Sr Margaret was sent to Burkina Faso where she worked in a girls' centre, teaching them literacy and other skills enabling them to earn a living. After seven years however, she contracted cerebral malaria - a very dangerous condition. She became ill on a family visit but ended up being rushed to hospital where she was in intensive care for weeks.

When she recovered, Sr Margaret was sent to England. "It was quite a contrast" she said. Initially she worked in the convent in Wimbledon but after after that closed she moved to the hostel in Kensington.

"Our main work is with young women, immigrants, people in search of a dream. There are spiritual and cultural activities. We offer them a home away from home, where they feel welcomed and helped." Some residents are students, aged 18-30 - some are working.

Sr Margaret says she doesn't know what the future holds but she loves her work in Kensington. Speaking of her anniversary she said: "This celebration is a celebration of Our Lord who has been so faithful to me over the past 50 years. As the poet Poet Rabindranath Tagoor said: 'Amidst your numberless stars let me place my little lamp'.

LINKS

RMI Hostel: www.rmilondonhostel.org/

Religious of Mary Immaculate: https://religiosasmariainmaculada.org/en/