Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph

The Dawn of Holiness in the Life of Servant of God Dr Sr. Mary Glowrey (1887–1900)

01 Oct 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

The early years of Servant of God Dr. Sr. Mary Glowrey (1887–1900) were the seedbed of the virtues that later shaped her extraordinary vocation as a missionary doctor and religious sister. Born into a devout Catholic family, she was nurtured in prayer, simplicity, and service from her earliest days. Her childhood, marked by both joys and trials, reveals how faith, humility, charity, resilience, and perseverance took root in her life. The following sections highlight these virtues with simple anecdotes and reflections to inspire us in our own journey of holiness.

Faith and Piety

From her earliest years, Sr. Mary Glowrey was immersed in a deeply Catholic family life where the Rosary, daily Mass, and devotion to Our Lady were central. When she fell gravely ill as a baby, her parents consecrated her to Our Lady, and she grew up with a tender Marian devotion. At her First Communion and Confirmation in 1896, she resolved to be a faithful “soldier of Christ.” Even as a child, she would spend quiet moments in prayer and speak with reverence about priests and the Blessed Sacrament.

Humility and Simplicity

Though blessed with intelligence, Sr. Mary was shy, quiet, and unassuming. At school, she was sometimes teased and nicknamed a “dreamer” or “slow coach” because of her quietness. But she bore this patiently without resentment and continued to do her best. At home, she gladly helped her mother in simple domestic duties, never seeking attention or praise. She preferred to remain unnoticed, embracing the simplicity of life, which later became a hallmark of her vocation. This humility allowed her to recognize all her gifts as coming from God and to use them for the service of others.

Charity and Generosity

Sr. Mary’s parents were known for their kindness, hospitality, and service to neighbours and strangers alike, and Sr. Mary absorbed these values deeply. She learned early to share what she had, to help with household chores, and to care for her siblings. She was delighted in welcoming guests and showed friendliness even to strangers, like the Indian hawkers who camped near their home. Sr. Mary’s openness reflected her universal charity and respect for all people, regardless of background. This upbringing nurtured in her a heart of charity and sensitivity to the suffering of others.

Resilience and trust in God

Sr. Mary’s life was not free from hardship. Her childhood was touched by sorrow, as several of her siblings died young. Instead of despairing, she accepted these losses with faith. When her brother Joseph passed away, she could say with childlike simplicity that she was happy he was already in heaven with God. Financial struggles and frequent family relocations could have discouraged her, but Sr. Mary grew stronger, learning to place her trust in God’s providence. This resilience in hardship prepared her for the sacrifices of her future mission.

Love for Learning and Perseverance

Gifted with intelligence, Sr. Mary excelled in her studies through dedication and effort. At just nine, she received her Certificate of Competency and at ten, the Certificate of Merit. Later, she won a government scholarship at thirteen, despite her shyness and financial constraints, through hard work and determination. Teachers - both Catholic and Protestant - admired her diligence, honesty, and respect, which in turn nurtured her gratitude and openness. Her love of study, combined with perseverance, would later make her a brilliant physician who served God through science.

Thus, in her early years, Sr. Mary Glowrey’s life was marked by deep faith, humility, charity, resilience in suffering, and perseverance in learning. Rooted in a devout family, shaped by trials, and strengthened by prayer, she grew into a young woman prepared for God’s extraordinary mission of healing and holiness.

Sr. Kochumary Chellakudam

Vice-postulator

Cause of Canonisation of the Servant of God Mary Glowrey