- 09 March, 2025
On this International Women’s Day, as the world celebrates the achievements of women across all spheres, one name stands out as a true embodiment of strength, compassion, and service—Sister Mariola Sequeira. A nun of the Mission Sisters of Ajmer (MSA), Sister Mariola has not only shaped young minds as an educator but has also extended her compassion to some of society’s most neglected individuals—prisoners. Through her 20 years of service to the prison ministry in Ajmer, she has transformed countless lives. Her story is a testament to resilience and the profound impact one woman can make in a world filled with suffering and injustice.
Although born in Bombay, Sister Mariola Sequeira traces her roots to the picturesque village of Aldona in North Goa. She completed her schooling up to class 7 in Mumbai before moving to Goa, where she studied until SSC. After completing short-term courses in shorthand and typewriting, she secured a job in the Department of Information, Tourism, and Public Relations, Govt. of Goa, Daman and Diu.
Sr. Mariola’s journey into religious life was sparked by an unexpected source—a joyful and friendly nun who defied the sombre stereotype. This chance encounter inspired her to join the Mission Sisters of Ajmer in 1979, leaving behind a stable government job to dedicate her life to service.
After professing her final vows in 1987, Sr. Mariola pursued higher education while simultaneously fulfilling her responsibilities as a nun. With resilience and dedication, she pursued her B.A and B.Ed. and then began teaching at various schools in Ajmer and Mount Abu. She also pursued her M.A. while serving as principal of a school in Rajasthan. Later, she transitioned into higher education, serving as a college professor until her retirement in 2017.
Sr. Mariola’s life of service extended beyond classrooms and administrative offices. For the past two decades, she has been a source of hope for prisoners in Ajmer’s Central Jail. She initially began her ministry by tending to male inmates. She used to read verses from the Holy Bible to them and tell them moral stories. Later, when Sr. Mariola came to know that female prisoners were not being tended to, she started to dedicate her efforts exclusively to them. Every week, without fail, she visits the women, offering them moral guidance, spiritual support, and, in deserving cases, legal aid to help secure their release.
One of the most poignant stories from her prison ministry is that of Basanti, a woman from West Bengal wrongfully imprisoned due to her husband’s involvement in drug trafficking. Sr. Mariola became Basanti's pillar of strength, teaching her to pray and offering her consolation. When Basanti was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Sr. Mariola fought tirelessly to secure her release. After getting her released from jail, she admitted Basanti to a care home in Rajasthan, where she spent her final days in peace.
Sr. Mariola’s dedication to social service has earned her notable recognition. In 2010, she received the CNN-IBN Real Heroes Award, and in 2015, she was honoured with the prestigious Stree Shakti Puraskar by then-President Pranab Mukherjee for her work with prisoners.
She also made history in 2012 as the first nun to serve on the Rajasthan Minority Commission. As a member of the commission, she addressed grievances faced by individuals from minority communities in the state and collaborated with various government departments to resolve them.
On this Women’s Day, Sr. Mariola urges women to stand up for themselves, make their voices heard, and challenge unrealistic societal expectations by learning to say “no” when necessary. She also emphasises the importance of women uplifting one another on the path to self-reliance. Her message to all women is simple yet powerful: “Soar ahead, embrace happiness, and prosper.”
As we celebrate women’s achievements today, Sr. Mariola Sequeira stands as a shining example of how one woman’s courage, kindness, and determination can transform countless lives. Her story is not just one of service but of hope, resilience, and the boundless potential of women when they dare to make a difference.
By Steve Antao
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