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A young woman from Odisha discovered her religious calling through her profound love for culinary arts, transforming her daily kitchen duties into a spiritual path that culminated in her final profession as a nun in 2026.

By Purushottam Nayak –

Kandhamal: A young girl who loved spending time in the kitchen never imagined that her passion for cooking would help her discover God’s call in her life. Growing up, she enjoyed preparing meals for her family and serving others with joy. She found happiness not only in cooking but also in seeing the smiles of those she served.

Chandrika Pradhan, born November 16, 1995, to Joseph and Salmina Pradhan at Somagota catholic village of Our Lady of Charity Parish, Raikia, Kandhamal under Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. She is the youngest of three siblings. She cleared standard 10 in 2013 and went along with Shantilota of Budukeju to Kerala Angamaly Ernakulam to help in the kitchen.

“Sr. Jeya Rose nun of Congregation of Mother of Carmel (CMC) Snehadadan, Palaryvetam motivated me and I found my vocation to sisterhood in the Congregation of Mother of Carmel, I am grateful to God for the precious call,” acknowledges Chandrika Pradhan the CMC nun.

She took her first profession as a nun in 2019 and Final profession along with 56 members in Kerala May 25, 2026.

Hundreds of people attended her thanksgiving mass at her village Somagota Kandhamal on June 13, 2026.

“Nothing can be impossible in the eyes of God. God can make ordinary people to extraordinary. Today, our dear nun Chandrika who in the begging went for cooking but God called her to dedicate her life to serve the people receiving call to sisterhood,” says Father Michael Behera the main celebrant of the day.

“From the warmth of the kitchen to the joy of the convent, her journey reminds us that God often calls us through the simple acts of love and service that fill our daily lives. The kitchen became her classroom of charity, and charity led her to Christ,” affirms Father Behera.

“As she became more involved in parish activities and prayer, she began to feel a deeper desire to dedicate her life to God. Through daily Mass, personal prayer, and the encouragement of religious sisters, she realized that true fulfilment comes from serving Christ and His people,” says joyfully Joseph Pradhan, her proud father.

“The simple act of preparing food taught her valuable lessons of patience, humility, generosity, and love. These virtues gradually led her to discern a vocation to religious life. Inspired by the example of the sisters, she decided to respond to God’s call and entered a convent,” continues Pradhan.

Today, she continues to serve with joy, using her talents and gifts in community life and ministry. Her story reminds us that God can use even the ordinary activities of daily life to reveal His extraordinary plan for us.

The congregation of the mother of Carmel (CMC) is a major Catholic religious order for women, founded on February 13, 1866 at Koonammayu, Kochi India by Kuriakose Elias Chavara with Leopold Beccaro, an Italian missionary priest, as co-founder. It was the first indigenous religious congregation for women in the Syro-Malabar Church in Kerala, India. Eastern Indian state of Odisha has two CMC communities of Balasore and Muniguda.

With approximately 6,000 in number, sisters serve the people of God through 26 provinces and 4 regions spread across 19 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Oceania. The order focuses on contemplative prayer and active apostolic ministries, such as education, healthcare, and social work.

Currently Pradhan nun is assigned to work in Meghalaya.

History of the Congregation of Mother of Carmel

The Congregation of Mother of Carmel holds a historic place in Indian regular history as the first indigenous religious community established for women within the Syro-Malabar Church. Founded in Kerala in 1866, the order grew from a single community into a global entity spanning 19 nations with a workforce of nearly 6,000 sisters. Its expansion into eastern states like Odisha and northeastern regions like Meghalaya underscores its ongoing mission to blend contemplative devotion with active social welfare development.

FAQs

Who is Sister Chandrika Pradhan?

Sister Chandrika Pradhan is a Catholic nun from the Kandhamal district in Odisha, India, who recently completed her final profession in 2026 within the Congregation of Mother of Carmel.

What is the history of the Congregation of Mother of Carmel?

The order was founded on February 13, 1866, in Kerala, India, by Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Leopold Beccaro, making it the first indigenous religious congregation for women in the Syro-Malabar Church.

Where is Sister Pradhan currently stationed for her ministry?

Following her final profession ceremony in Kerala, Sister Pradhan has been assigned to carry out her community and apostolic work in Meghalaya.