Hospital Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis

Sr. M. Silvy Kolenchery


My Childhood

I, Sister M. Silvy Kolenchery, was born in Ernakulum District, Kerala. My parents are the deceased Mr. Itteera and his wife Lilly Kolenchery. We are nine children, three boys and six girls. Among them, I am the fifth child. My mother was very fond of me.

The happy memories of the childhood remain very fresh in me. My father was a farmer and my mother is a homemaker. My parents were God fearing and had deep faith. My family is rooted in catholic faith and values. My parents had respect for priests and nuns and were highly impressed by their committed life. They are the models for my life.

Vocation

The Kolenchery family is blessed with many religious sisters and priests. I was encouraged and inspired by their lives especially by two of my sisters and cousins who are religious. Sr. M. Preethi is in our Congregation. One of my uncles, who is a priest, founded a new Congregation called Sisters of Sacred Science. Whenever the religious and priests came home for holidays, I was touched by their prayers and disciplined life. This led me to choose this way of life. My uncles were also a source of inspiration. From childhood on, I had the desire to join the Congregation. While I was preparing to complete my studies, “10+2”, my uncle came for holidays and I expressed my desires to him. At that time, my uncle, Fr. Augustine Kolenchery, was giving classes and retreats for the Sisters in Raipur. He recruited me to our Congregation.

Apostolate

I have completed my Post Graduation M.A. and B. Ed (Bachelor of Education). Presently, I teach in St. Francis School in Pithora. I also help with the community activities. I was very fearful, shy, and nervous to face a group. The religious life gave me many opportunities to grow and to overcome my many unwanted and unnecessary weaknesses. Through various classes, courses, and academic education, I am now courageous enough to face the challenges of life. I am thankful to God for the gift of my vocation to our Congregation and for the all the sisters, for their prayerful support and services.