Ten years after a tragic attack in Yemen, the Church recalls the ultimate sacrifice of four Missionary Sisters of Charity with Mass celebrated at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi.
By Sr. Christine Masivo, CPS
On March 4, 2026, Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia celebrated the four Missionary of Charity Sisters who were murdered in Aden, Yemen, in 2016, whose faith continues to inspire courage and hope.
Sr. Reginette and Sr. Margarita from Rwanda, Sr. Anselma from India, and Sr. Judith from Kenya were killed by a jihadist group that stormed a nursing home run by the Missionaries of Charity.
The attackers killed 12 staff members of different nationalities and religions, targeting a place meant for caring for the poor and the elderly.
In the same assault, Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil, a Salesian priest serving in the community, was also abducted and held captive for more than a year before being released in September 2017. Despite the horror, the sisters’ legacy of compassion continues to shine through the ongoing mission of the Church in Yemen.
Message of hope
According to the Vatican’s Fides news agency, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, celebrated Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi to mark the anniversary.
“This is a sign of hope at the time when the entire Gulf is experiencing a serious conflict,” said Bishop Martinelli. “The Missionary Sisters of Charity gave their lives, and some of their number are still present in Yemen today, taking care of the poorest without distinction, thus bearing witness to the love of Christ that overcomes barriers.”
Their example, he added, encourages us to continue to be peacemakers.
Service with no borders
The sisters dedicated their lives to caring for the elderly and sick, most of whom are Muslim. Their work was not motivated by the desire to convert others but by their commitment to serve those most in need.
Their compassion and humility earned the admiration of the local community, and they respected their work in serving people regardless of religion and background.
The spirit of the Missionary Sisters of Charity is reflected in their work, just as they were founded by St. Mother Teresa to serve the poorest of the poor, he said. The home for the elderly was opened in 1992 in Yemen at the request of the government, continuing a presence that had begun in 1973.
After the attack, photos of the sisters circulated, showing them wearing kitchen aprons over their religious habits at the moment of their death, symbolizing their humility and hands-on service that defined their mission service daily: cleaning wounds, feeding the elderly, and comforting those who were lonely and suffering.
The Church that serves
“The witness of the Missionaries of Charity Sisters murdered in Aden continues to nourish the life of our Church and inspire us to live our faith with joy and commitment every day,” said Bishop Martinelli.
He also recalled the appeal made by Bishop Paul Hinder after the 2016 attack, saying, “We ask the four martyrs to intercede for Yemen and the entire Middle East so that peace may prevail and violence may end.”
The sisters died while performing their simple acts of charity. Their martyrdom, Bishop Martinelli said, continues to nourish the life of the Church and challenge believers to live their faith with joy and commitment.
Today their mission has not ended, as the two communities in Yemen serve the poor in the cities of Hodeidah and Sana’a, in humility as a powerful sign of hope.
