Little Eden Society welcomes Mother General from India

by Admin · November 2, 2022

Mother General Ardra (far left) is joined by the Sisters In Sisters of the Imitation of Christ Generalate as well as Emeritus Archbishop George Daniel

The Reverend Sister Dr Ardra (Mother General), from the order of the Sisters of the Imitation of Christ Generalate in India, has come to South Africa to visit her community of nuns residing at Little Eden, Elvira Rota Village. Arriving from a similar visit to her order in Ethiopia on 22 October 2022, Mother General makes the trip every three years from India to visit all the sisters that serve in her order from all over the world.

The relationship between the Sisters serving here from Mother’s order and Little Eden Society is a special one as they have been serving at Little Eden since 2010 assisting with, and attending to, the everyday needs of the 300 children and adults with intellectual disability who are cared for by the Society at the Edenvale and Bapsfontein Homes.

Mother General praised the Sisters residing at Little Eden and said that she was satisfied and happy that they were taking care of God’s children in a special, loving way. She explained that the relationship between her order and Little Eden was very endearing as it began when the Founders of Little Eden, Domitilla and Danny Hyams requested from her predecessor the presence of Sisters to join in the work that was being carried out at the Society. “Our Sisters’ presence at Little Eden Society does not mean that there are no children and adults with disabilities in India for them to care for, but because the cause was so noble, it deeply moved our order, and years later they are still here doing the Lord’s work,” she said.

Mother General, whose trip to SA ends on 31 October, said that the highlight of her trip to South Africa was experiencing the culture once more, adding that even though South Africa shared many similarities with Europe, she found the people of South Africa very friendly, respectful and that the culture of giving and receiving continued to prevail.

The message she wished to leave with the South African congregation was that of love, compassion and care for one another. “My message for the people of South Africa is to let the love of the Lord shine upon all of us and let us all be raised in the love of Jesus’s message and make life beautiful and livable,” she said.

Mother General added that she was happy to be at the First Holy Communion ceremony that took place at Little Eden, Elvira Rota Village in Bapsfontein, where nine residents received communion for the first time at a special Mass celebrated by Emeritus Archbishop George Daniel on 27 October 2022.

For more information about Little Eden Society and how you can contribute towards the missionary work, kindly contact Public Relations and Communications Co-Ordinator Gaahele Mokgoro at 011 609 7246 or email or visit www.littleeden.org.za