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One big happy family
Being
brought up in an orphanage might not sound like the best start in
life. But as the Mother Superior at the Ursuline Convent explained
to NADINE BRINCAT, there’s plenty of love to go round.
If it can be said of anyone that they have dedicated their lives
to helping children, that person is Madre Maria, the Mother Superior
at the Ursuline convent.
Her story marks a lifetime of commitment to helping children, which
began at a very early age.
She had her calling when she visited the Ursuline Sisters, and,
having seen their work and dedication, decided to join them aged
15.
"I have worked with children, from new-borns to 18-year-olds,
for the past 50 years, first at the crèche, then at Angela
House," she told me.
The Ursuline Sisters have nine communities. Four are children’s
homes, while there are another four communities in Catania and one
also in London.
There are 50 children aged between newborn and four at the crèche.
Seventy children between the ages of four to 18 are at Angela House,
while St Rita’s home in Tarxien has 24 children between four
and 18. Another 12 children are cared for at the Valletta house.
I asked her how the convent works towards giving the children it
cares for the best start in life. And she explains that the family
principle is still there, but just works on a larger scale.
"We are just like a large family," she said. "We
nuns take on the role of a mother. We are a different type of family
from the norm, but we are a family, nonetheless."
The Mother Superior explained that the children receive a very special
love from the nuns and from their adoptive families, if they are
adopted.
But she admitted it is common for them to still feel that there
is something different or missing in their lives compared to other
children.
"Although they live relatively normal lives, playing, studying,
sleeping and eating, they have a certain longing, because they are
not with their natural parents," she said.
The convent cares for children from different backgrounds. Some
are unwanted, a few have even been discarded in dustbins or left
behind the convent’s doors. Some have parents in prison, or
families suffering with financial problems. Others have been abused.
Madre Maria explained that to make up, at least partially, for the
initial setback they experience, the children at the convent are
given preference for entrance into some of the best schools on the
island. "This helps provide them with a good education, so
they can move on in life," she said. "In fact, some of
the children I used to care for have gone on to pursue admirable
careers, becoming professionals, like doctors and teachers."
At the age of 16, the children cared for within the Ursuline community
choose whether they wish to continue school or start working.
"Whatever they choose, we try to help them out," the Mother
Superior said. "Even if they start working and start earning
their own income, we help them move out of the convent and live
as independent adults. However, we try to keep in touch with the
children. In most cases we remain their point of reference, their
network."
Madre Maria said that the adolescents, under the nuns’ care,
live with other children their age.
"They go out with their friends, they have boyfriends or girlfriends,
and they have curfews," she said. "We always try to meet
their partners, as any parents would, just to ensure that things
are going well."
Where adoption is concerned, the Mother Superior explained that
the natural mother must give her written consent for the child to
be adopted, otherwise they remain with the nuns until the mother
can take care of the child, or until the child is 18 years of age.
"When the biological mother gives her consent for adoption,
the child has the chance of a very happy life with an adoptive family,
which would be carefully screened," she said.
The Mother Superior said that all the 37 nuns at the convent are
delighted to see children who formerly lived at the crèche
marry, adding that their families even visit the nuns to ask for
advice.
She admitted that although her work gives her a lot of satisfaction,
she is always sorry to see the children grow up and leave, particularly
in cases where they adopt negative lifestyles.
Another fear is that there could be cases where the authorities
and social workers send children back into abusive families.
However, Madre Maria also said that she had many stories of joy
to recount.
"I am always happy to see the children I helped care for, move
on in life," she said. "Three of the girls became nuns,
while one boy is to be consecrated a priest this year."
Madre Maria is also an intermediary for adopted children wanting
to meet their biological siblings.
"It is a very special experience to witness," she said.
"The children are pleased to know that they are not alone in
the world, and they keep in touch with their siblings, in this way."
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