Words are not enough to express gratitude to Sister Admirabilis Browne who has passed on to her heavenly abode. Sister Admi has left an ineradicable mark in the hearts of so many Guyanese. Likewise, I had the honour of experiencing her pleasant demeanour. We have been touched by sister in exceptional ways. Sister was born in 1924. She went to Sacred Heart School and St. Joseph’s School in Georgetown. Early education in these schools emulated her religious vocation to the Sisters of Mercy. After taking a job for few years, she entered Convent of the Sisters of Mercy in 1947 in Dallas, Pennsylvania. She pursued an MA in Mathematics from Fordham University. Her contribution towards education and hospital has been outstanding. She was the administrator at Mercy Hospital in Georgetown for several years.
Sister celebrating her 70th anniversary recalled a simple yet profound experience in Mercy Hospital as a young sister. She was walking down the corridor when a young boy ran up to her called her, “Auntie Jesus, Auntie Jesus.” The boy has been taught to address a woman as Auntie and the boy noticed the cross on sister, hence the boy called her, ‘Auntie Jesus’. This encounter with the boy reminded sister to be like Jesus. Encounters as this will make us truly disciples of Jesus. Through this encounter, Sister encourages us to be close to Jesus even if it seems like He is not close to us, to know that God is doing His own thing to strengthen us. Therefore, do not be discouraged or worry when things are not going right.
Her cheerfulness and love engulfed with a contagious smile is the hallmark of her life. Anyone who has met sister will never leave without being refreshed with a charming smile. She loved everyone in her own way since she believed in the love of God and love of people. She preached and practised her own saying ‘seeing happiness in others made you happy.’ This charming quality comes from her relationship with God for she articulates, ‘listen to the inner voice of yourself where God speaks.’ Sister encourages us to love Jesus not merely in a distant way but focus on loving those around us and this will have an amazing impact on
us. Her approach towards the young people was to meet them from where they are, although sister belonged to the ‘typewriter’ era. Therefore, she is loved and missed by many young people. I personally admired her for her attentive ear towards my preaching in the Church even though she had wealth of knowledge and spirituality. She has inspired me to remain humble because in humility we praise God. As we celebrate her life in gratitude, we imbibe the qualities of cheerfulness, love, humility and acceptance of a changing world. I conclude with her own motto, “All for Jesus through Mary.”
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