Dear Ones, First of, a very happy Easter to all of you! Christ the Lord is risen indeed! Last night I went to the vigil at Motherhouse which was beautiful and solemn. Motherhouse is built in a sort of semi-rectangular area--(not really a square but more like an odd many sides figure)--going up in levels like a hotel or something. The main "square" reminds me or an Italian … [Read more...]

Dearly beloved, Some people belong in books, they are just that good. R is one of those people. My first day in Kalighat I sat with a man for some time who I was convinced was on death's door. His skin was cold to the touch, he was unresponsive. Somebody called one of the sisters over to examine him. "HEY, R!!!!! Wake up! What's wrong with you!" She shouted cheerfully at … [Read more...]

Dear ones, Søren Kierkegaard sagely writes,  "When the child is to be weaned, his mother blackens her breast; for it were a pity if her breast should look sweet to him when he is not to have it. Then the child believes that her breast has changed... Happy he who needed not worse means to wean his child!" These wise words could aptly describe my current experience of … [Read more...]

Dear family, Well, the last week has been a good one, but I was definitely beginning to feel a sort of spiritual dryness. My first month here, everything felt so new, and good; there was this peace in knowing that I was going outside of myself, serving others. Then I realized two things: the first was, that the work itself was incredibly emotionally draining. The second was, … [Read more...]

Dear ones, Well, it's Thursday, which means we have the day off. I served mass this morning, and when I arrived I started making small chat with the priest before mass began. I had rushed out without my glasses on, so I wasn't exactly operating on all cylinders. Anyway, he was American and he asked me where I was from? “California,” I replied. “What part?” “Ventura county.” … [Read more...]

Dear family, How are you all? I miss you guys. Last night I kept having dreams I was back in California sunshine. I hope you're all doing well! Things are good over here. I've been kind of sick for the last week, so I haven't been volunteering much, but it's been nice having a little rest. Kolkata is an amazing place, but the constant noise and smell, not to mention all the … [Read more...]

Dear family, This last week has been very good, although exhausting at times. I've been caring especially for the patients who can't get out of bed, giving them bed baths and ointment, etc. The man I was especially caring for died last Thursday, which was sad but a huge mercy. He was only 28 years old, but he looked so transfigured by suffering. Earlier that same week, I … [Read more...]

Dear rabbits, Today I served mass at Mother house. I was feeling sick so I didn't want to go, but mass was beautiful and of course miraculous. We had the "love is patient, love is kind" reading that I love. I've always loved the part about "love does not insist on its own way..." I wasn't sure whether to volunteer or whether to just sleep, but I ended up going for the … [Read more...]

This is the first letter in a series from Jack Grimm describing his work as a volunteer for Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India. Grimm is a recent graduate of Thomas Aquinas College and a native of Ojai, California. Hey dear ones, Today I went to Kalighat, which is the house of the dying and destitute people. It's an amazing place, but very draining and sad at the … [Read more...]