“Be seekers of Truth and Doers of Justice” – Venerable Mary Ward
Inspired by the vision and courage of our founder Venerable Mary Ward, who sought to live and promote Justice, Sincerity, Freedom and Felicity, I continue my journey of accompanying people on the margins of society in their struggle for dignity, justice and peace. My ministry in Bihar is centered on access to justice for those whose rights are denied and who often have neither the resources nor the confidence to approach the courts and other institutions of justice. For many poor and marginalized people, the legal system can appear distant and inaccessible. Some face difficulties even when they approach the police to report an injustice or seek protection. Through legal assistance, advocacy, awareness-building and personal accompaniment, I try to help them find a voice and to claim the rights guaranteed to them by the Indian Constitution and the law.
A significant part of this ministry involves women and children who are victims of violence, abuse, exploitation and discrimination. Behind every case is a person whose dignity has been wounded and whose voice often remains unheard. Accompanying them through the legal process is not merely a professional responsibility; it is an opportunity to stand beside them, listen to their stories and help them seek protection, healing and justice.
I also accompany members of the Transgender community, who continue to experience discrimination and exclusion in education, housing and other areas of life. Their struggle for recognition and dignity challenges us to build a society where every person is respected and has an equal opportunity to live with dignity. I take up cases relating particularly to their educational and housing rights, seeking to ensure that discrimination does not prevent them from claiming their rightful place in society.
Another important area of my work is with the Musahar community in Bihar, one of the most socially and economically marginalized communities. Many families continue to struggle for basic necessities, including secure land and housing. Through legal intervention and advocacy, I seek to accompany them in their struggle for land rights and other basic entitlements, so that they may live with greater security, dignity and hope.
For me, justice is not simply a matter of law; it is about restoring dignity to people whose voices have been ignored. The courtroom is one place where justice is sought, but the journey towards justice often begins much earlier with listening to a person, standing beside a family, accompanying a survivor, or helping a community understand and claim its rights.
In the spirit of Mary Ward, I continue this ministry with courage and hope, especially where the need is greatest. To stand with those who are vulnerable, to challenge discrimination, to defend human dignity and to create pathways to justice and peace is, for me, a way of living the Gospel and making Mary Ward’s vision relevant in the realities of our time. My hope is that through this ministry, even in small ways, those who have been pushed to the margins may experience that they are seen, heard, valued and not alone in their struggle for justice.
Autor: Sr. Cynthia Mathew CJ, Advocate, Patna Province of the Congregation of Jesus
