Nun travels world on a mission
She is a world traveller who claims to have visited two hundred and nineteen countries, admittedly a number greater than we ever knew existed. And while we didn’t check her I.D., this woman on a mission–unlike many religious zealots–also has a healthy sense of humour. News 5’s Patrick Jones accompanied the energetic visitor on her rounds this morning in Belize City.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
The Franciscan nun is on a pilgrimage to of peace. Armed with what she claims is a statue of Jesus and Mary and a bag full of tracts, Sister Ruth today mingled with school children and grown ups on North Front Street.
Sister Ruth, Francisca Missionary Nun
?I?m going to every country of the world with the statute of Jesus and Mary. So people come up to me in the bars, pubs, supermarkets, hospitals, prisons, red light districts, they come and tell me their problems and I pray with them. I?ve had a wonderful welcome in Belize. The people here are among the most religious in the whole world.?
But apparently not everyone was ready to confess their troubles to this English lady with a statue in her hand, as some people cleared the way for her on the sidewalk…others just stared…and one man, who looks like he was blessed with a spirit of another kind, tried to sell his own message.
Patrick Jones
?Why are you doing this??
Sister Ruth
?I believe we are living in the time of the apocalypse in the bible. Mary is saying that and the bible quote says it as well. So the time is very urgent and very short. Central and South America will be protected in a nuclear war because you have God?s sign of protection the southern cross stars and every country here has the patroness Mary, help of Christians. So she will protect you.?
And while that?s the good news, Sister Ruth says those who reject her message, do so at their own peril.
Sister Ruth
?The countries which don?t pray, which worships the devil, which wants to watch dirty magazines, attack little children and do other filthy, horrible things they will be destroyed. I?m sorry to say. But they choose to pray to the devil and not to God.?
While her pilgrimage carries all the markings of catholic ceremony, Sister Ruth says the message she is carrying transcends denominational lines.
Sister Ruth
?It?s for every human being. I?ve been all over the world, to Hindus, Buddhists. Muslims, Sikhs, Jewish, Protestants, Catholics, Atheists, Communists, I?ve been all over the world. Jesus loves every human being, he loves every human being; he died for every human being.?
And besides the herbalist who attempted to sell her one of his potions, Sister Ruth says the little old lady that some might think may have lost some of her bearings, has been having the time of her life.
Sister Ruth
?Well so far in Belize no one has been rude , they?ve been very polite, very friendly, very kind, very helpful and very respectful.?
Patrick Jones, for News 5.
Sister Ruth is from a Franciscan convent in Ireland and resides in London, England. She plans on being in Belize for the remainder of the week before moving on. Where she will head next, has not yet been determined.
