Italy
From Papua New Guinea, the Sisters of the Transfiguration of Bereina share the life of their community: Saint Rita Clinic, the HIV emergency, closeness to mothers and children, and devotion to the elderly, cherished in faith and village memory.
The commitment of Saint Rita Clinic and the health emergency
Mission is made of daily encounters, healing hands, shared prayers, and small gestures capable of restoring dignity and hope. This is what the Sisters of the Transfiguration share in their letter from Bereina, where their presence is interwoven with the lives of families, children, mothers, and village elders.
Among the ministries closest to their hearts is Saint Rita Mother-Child Clinic, welcoming expectant women, young mothers with newborns, children, and adolescents.
“Here, people certainly come seeking treatment, but also genuine listening and understanding”.
Cooperation with the nearby public hospital continues fruitfully, yet major challenges persist. Foremost among them is the HIV emergency, declared a national crisis by the government in June 2025, which weighs heavily on their province—the region with the country’s highest infection rate.
“In the clinic, statistics turn into human stories of suffering, shame, stigma, loneliness, and violence,” they write. Behind the numbers stand faces, vulnerable families, women facing illness often without support, and children requiring continuous medical attention.
“We have no other choice than to walk together, bring hope, and encourage mothers and fathers not to give up, believing that each of them and their children is precious and unique, and that by taking medication daily there is real hope.”
These words express the core of their service. A heartbreaking face of this crisis is the story of a young mother, referred to by the sisters as P. She had two little girls: the elder attends the sisters’ school, while the baby was born just five months ago. Despite medical care and devotion, the woman did not survive.
“Her death leaves us with profound sorrow, but also with the awareness of how intricate and demanding the realities we encounter every day truly are.”
Concern now turns to the two little girls and whoever will care for them. Concern also remains for mothers who fail to take medication or administer it to their children out of fear, ignorance, or despair. It is beside them that the sisters wish to stay, so that “through small signs of closeness and listening, they may begin to trust and recognize themselves as loved and worthy of care.”
Closeness to the elderly and prayer in the villages
Alongside healthcare, the mission flourishes through relationships and pastoral care for those at risk of being forgotten. This is reflected in the honor paid to the elders, the bubu, celebrated by the parish community on July 26.
“It was a simple yet deeply moving moment. Our elderly could truly feel the warmth and love of the entire community around them.”
Caring for the elderly extends far beyond festivities: it continues through home visits and Communion brought to those unable to attend Mass due to disability or the hardships of village travel.
“We have witnessed how bringing Communion to a grandparent often turns into praying together with the entire village. Frequently, a large group walks alongside us and joins the celebration, turning it into a genuine moment of village catechism.”
The service of the Sisters of the Transfiguration in Bereina is rooted in a faithful presence, ready to listen to suffering and ensure no one walks alone. It is a mission that does not claim to solve every problem, but chooses to walk beside those who suffer.
“We thank you for being part of this mission through your prayers, friendship, and generous support,” concludes their letter. A heartfelt gratitude that is also an invitation to belong to a Church that, in Bereina as everywhere, translates faith into tangible acts of care, dignity, and hope.
Photo by Sister Anna Pigozzo
