Sister Nirmala

Mother Teresa, Nobel-Peace-Prize-winning head of the Missionaries of Charity, died in 1997. The order chose Sister Nirmala, 70, to succeed her. Formerly Nirmala Joshi in a Nepali Brahmin family, she converted to Catholicism and dedicated her life to the poor at the age of 24. She was one of the earliest to join the Missionaries of Charity, and headed its Latin American network in the 70s.
The Missionaries of Charity run homes and orphanages with the mission of rescuing the suffering, destitute and dying. The nuns are noted for their personal austerity. The order is not without its detractors, however.

Newsclips & Links

Filling the big sandals. Time, 24 Mar 1997.

Interview with Sister Nirmala, Catholic World News.

Rediff interview with Sister Nirmala.