Drawn by Grace: Sr. Miriam’s Journey into the Heart of Carmel
On May 2, 2025, Sr. Miriam of the Immaculate Heart made her First Profession in the Cloistered Carmelite Order during a solemn Eucharistic celebration. Presided over by Fr. Silvestre D’Souza OCD, Provincial Superior, and concelebrated by three Carmelite priests, the event was graced by AC sisters and close associates of Mangalore Carmel. This milestone marked her complete consecration to a life of prayer and seclusion.

Born on January 9, 1997, to Lt. Yohan Raj Ambadipudi and Pramila Kumari, Sr. Miriam was formerly known as Mary Matilda. Her early years were steeped in deep faith through family prayer and parish involvement. During the COVID-19 lockdown, she sensed a growing inner void despite academic and professional pursuits. This spiritual unrest stirred a desire for religious life, which she shared with her father. Guided by Sr. Christine A.C., she entered St. Ann’s Convent, Mangalore.

A pivotal moment came unexpectedly during a hospital visit when she passed the Cloistered Carmel near Fr. Muller Hospital. The sight of the chapel’s grills evoked a profound spiritual pull. Moved by this divine attraction, she expressed her desire to join the cloister, surprising even her superiors. Yet, with her father's support and personal conviction, she remained steadfast.

Sr. Miriam began her discernment in 2021, entered Carmel on April 26, 2022, and received the habit on May 14, 2023. Her First Profession is not merely a conclusion but the beginning of a life immersed in silence, prayer, and divine intimacy within Carmel. Let us accompany her through our prayers.