India: Odisha woman's journey from factory to faith

An agarbatti (incense stick) maker’s transformation into a religious nun has inspired many in the eastern Indian state of Odisha.

Hundreds of the faithful, including six Catholic priests and two nuns, witnessed the sacred profession of Sister Puspanjali Nayak on May 17, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Substation, Kerubadi, part of the Holy Rosary Parish, Daringbadi, Kadhamal district, under the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Archdiocese.

“God calls everyone, regardless of whether they are rich or poor, orphaned or abandoned, fatherless or motherless,” said Father Jeram Nayak in his homily.

“My daughter worked in the agarbatti industry in Bhubaneswar, Odisha’s capital, after completing her 10th standard in 2019 due to severe family poverty. I am proud of her; she inspires many in our region,” said the proud widow mother of Sister Puspanjali.

Born in November 2002 to the late Kaspati and Muktilota Nayak, Puspanjali is the fourth of five siblings. Due to poverty, she had to discontinue her studies and work in the agarbatti industry in Bhubaneswar to support her family.

“I joined the agarbatti industry to earn money to care for my widowed mother and family. Making incense sticks helped me feel a divine presence, which opened the way for me to join the Congregation of Teresian Carmelites (CTC). I am grateful to God for His precious call to serve Him and people,” Puspanjali affirmed with gratitud”. She now serves in the Jhansi province.

Puspanjali and four companions made their first profession on May 3, 2025, in Jhansi, located in the southern part of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, now renamed Prayagraj.

The Servant of God Mother Eliswa was a pioneer of women’s religious life in the southern Indian state of Kerala. She founded, on February 13, 1866, in Koonammavu (within the Diocese of Verapoly), the first indigenous Third Order Discalced Carmelite Congregation (TCD) for women in India.

The congregation later bifurcated into the Congregation of Teresian Carmelites (CTC). Members of both the Congregation of Mother of Carmel (CMC) and CTC now number over 7,000 sisters.

The CTC was the first indigenous Carmelite congregation for women in India, aiming to provide value-oriented, integral education—particularly for girls and women. Their vision includes establishing schools, boarding houses, and orphanages for girls and underprivileged children.

“I am inspired and encouraged by Puspanjali’s deep faith. She never gave up praying and staying connected with God, which is why she became a nun despite very challenging circumstances. She is a model for all of us,” said Saudamini Naya, a 15-year-old college student.

Kerubadi, a Catholic village, celebrated 110 years of Catholic faith on May 1, 2025, on the patron feast of St. Joseph. The village has produced one bishop, 15 religious nuns, and five Catholic priests.