Today, having undergone a miraculous transformation and healing process, she serves one of the poorest communities in Ethiopia, bringing healing, hope and love to people streaming into a medical clinic supported by funds from the pontifical charity, CNEWA Canada (Catholic Near East Welfare Association Canada.)

Ethiopia, the only sub-Saharan country with a Christian culture dating back to the earliest days of Christianity, is facing the effects of a two-year civil war in the north and a steep increase in food and fuel costs due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Its population is more urgently in need of humanitarian assistance than ever, which is largely provided by international NGOs.

Adriana Bara, national director of CNEWA Canada, and two members of her staff recently returned from a solidarity trip to the country, a whirlwind tour of seven days packed with visits to 20 of the organization’s 200 projects there.

She describes the experience of meeting Sr. Surabhila as one of the highlights of her visit.

“The encounter with Sr. Surabhila impacted me the most,” Bara told The Catholic Register, adding that most of the people she met in the northeast African country remain steadfast in their Christian faith and follow the example of Jesus Christ despite the grinding poverty and constant threat of military conflict that plague their lives.

“Sr. Surabhila’s face radiates the light of Christ’s love, and her warm smile and tender care bring comfort to the sick at the clinic in Burat, a remote village where the population has little or no access to a hospital,” Bara said, adding that the nun’s story is one of deep faith, courage and resilience.

A few years ago, seven terrorists dressed as soldiers stormed into a monastery where she and a novice (now Sr. Tessa) were leading a life of prayer and contemplation. Although terrified at the prospect of being held hostage she pleaded with the attackers to take her, but leave her novice friend alone. Surprisingly, the terrorists agreed, and Sr. Surabhila was taken to the forest where she spent several days and nights in pure agony. 

“It’s hard to imagine the hell the nun went through for the next few days until, miraculously, she was set free,” Bara said. 

Sr. Surabhila then returned to India, her native country, intending never to return, but to seek healing in the comfort of her original home.

“God healed the nun completely and transformed the evil done to her into strength and fearlessness against all the evil doers of the world,” Bara continued.

Sr. Surabhila eventually found the courage to return to Ethiopia, and together with three other medically trained nuns and two assistants, built a clinic for a poor community, dependent on subsistence agriculture, prone to workplace accidents — and abandoned by the rest of the world.

“God transformed her pain in a wonderful way,” Bara said. “A priest we met told us they couldn’t do without Sr. Surabhila. And Sr. Surabhila’s clinic wouldn’t be able to function without Canadian generosity.” 

Argaw Fantu, regional director of CNEWA in Ethiopia, told the Canadian visitors that “religious sisters are the foot soldiers of the Church,” explaining that they give their lives to serve at convents, schools and other institutions in Ethiopia.

The projects Bara and her colleagues visited are operated with funds from Canadian donors.

“These projects are very dear to CNEWA, as we work through, with and in synergy with the local Church,” she said, adding she was profoundly impressed by the faith of the Ethiopian people and the role it plays in their day-to-day lives.

“Each morning, church bells call them to Mass at 5:30 a.m. They arrive at the church and stand barefoot inside, out of respect for the sacred space. When the Mass is over at 7 a.m., the adults are ready for work and the children for school, carrying with them the blessings of the Mass.”

CNEWA supports many Catholic schools, teaching programs, orphanages and seminaries, including a school for the blind in Sheshamene, a bustling town of 50,000 about four hours from the capital city, Addis Ababa.

“Wherever we went, we stayed with Franciscan Sisters in their monasteries where we were warmly welcomed,” she said, adding that all the Ethiopian colleagues they met expressed deep gratitude to Canadian benefactors.

Donors are welcome to contribute to CNEWA Ethiopia generally or to a specific project of their choice, she explained.

“We will make sure the funds are used for the intended purpose, and to honour the donor’s wishes.”