On the morning of March 4, 2016, the Missionaries of Charity sisters in Aden, Yemen, gathered for their routine prayer before tragedy occurred. Gunmen stormed the home for the elderly and disabled, killing 16 people, among them Sisters Anselm, Judith, Marguerite, and Reginette. Though they had permission to leave, the nuns chose to “live or die with our poor,” showing profound faith and courage.
Pope Francis later called them “martyrs of charity,” noting that they died precisely where Jesus taught: among the forgotten, the sick, and the poor. During his Angelus address on March 6, 2016, he said, “These are the martyrs of today, victims not only of violence but of indifference.”
Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia at the time, described their deaths as the ultimate testimony to Christ. “The Missionaries of Charity died as martyrs: martyrs of charity, because they shared the lot of Jesus on the Cross,” he said.
The final prayer by the devout sisters, known as the “Prayer for Generosity” by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, was reported to reflect their unwavering devotion. They reportedly prayed for generosity, to serve faithfully, and to give without counting the cost, showing selflessness and courage in the face of danger.
Among the victims were Yemeni staff and young Ethiopian Christians who had tried to warn the nuns. Sister Sally survived, and Father Tom Uzhunnalil, kidnapped that day, was freed 18 months later. The tragedy left a lasting impact on the local community and the global Church, inspiring prayers, memorials, and reflection on faith-driven sacrifice.
Ten years later, the world remembers their bravery, compassion, and unwavering love, which kept them by the side of those most in need, even at the cost of their own lives.