Sister Lucy Kurien, protector of India鈥檚 most vulnerable people, to give Founders Day lecture
杏吧原创 is honored to present Sr. Lucy Kurien, founder of a sanctuary in India for society鈥檚 most vulnerable, as its Founder鈥檚 Day lecturer on Monday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. in the 杏吧原创 Arts Center Callahan Theater. 鈥淲here There is Love, There is Dignity: Maher Ashram, A Haven of Hope鈥� is free and open to the public. 杏吧原创 Founder鈥檚 Day was Oct. 15, commemorating the founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Le Puy, France, in 1650. Five Sisters of St. Joseph founded 杏吧原创 in 1924.
Driven by the stark poverty she witnessed in Mumbai at age 14, Kerala native Lucy Kurien dedicated her life to bringing love and dignity to the poorest of the poor. This led her to join the Sisters of the Cross and later partner with HOPE, an Indian organization helping marginalized women gain self-sufficiency through employment.听
Increasingly, she felt pulled toward a different, more demanding mission. When a woman seeking safety tragically lost her life, Sr. Lucy vowed to make a change. Today, Maher ("Mother's Home") stands as that promise 鈥� offering hope, healing, and a safe harbor for those in need. From one small house opened in 1997, Maher now shelters destitute women, children, and men in 73 homes across seven states in India. Education, health care, social services, spiritual care, and inclusive community are hallmarks of every Maher home. Each person is welcomed regardless of caste, religion, color, class, age, gender, or sexuality.听
In 2017, marking Maher鈥檚 20th anniversary, Sr. Lucy launched the 鈥淚nterfaith Association for Service to Humanity and Nature鈥� (IASHN) to broaden the organization鈥檚 global impact. That same year, the United Nations awarded听 Maher 鈥渃onsultative status.鈥� Maher will soon celebrate its 30th anniversary 鈥� with its staff and residents modeling the power of compassion transformed into institutional excellence, creating spaces 鈥渨here society鈥檚 vulnerable can rise to new life.鈥�
The Founder鈥檚 Day lecture is part of the Shannon Chair Lecture Series with the 2026-27 theme of Centering Human Dignity, Harnessing the Forces of Love and Justice. 听
Contact
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | jlong2@naz.edu | (585) 389-2456 | (585) 781-8186 (cell)
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