For those seeking compassionate care for individuals with mental health disorders, Sr. Angelic Dolly Pudjowati has become a beacon of hope.
A nun from the Missionaries of Charity (MC), Sr. Dolly has spent decades treating and supporting people struggling with mental health conditions, blending medical knowledge with Christian spirituality.
A Personal Calling Born from Experience
Sr. Dolly’s journey into mental health care began with a transformative encounter at her father’s bus garage in Purwokerto, Central Java.
Recalling the moment, she said she found “a man with a psychiatric condition hiding under a bus.” While others hesitated to approach him, Dolly “reached out,” brought him to safety, and cared for him until he fully recovered.
That experience convinced her that she had received a special gift from God—the ability to “tame” and heal individuals with mental health conditions.
“Feeling called to this mission, she dedicated her life to caring for and rehabilitating them,” the nun shared.
Through Griya Malaikat, or House of Angels, Sr. Dolly has helped countless individuals with mental disorders, striving to restore their dignity and future through compassionate care and treatment.
Combining Science and Spirituality
While Sr. Dolly possessed an innate gift for caregiving, she also pursued formal medical studies, although she did not complete them.
Her years of experience assisting psychiatrists strengthened her belief that “a combination of medical knowledge and Catholic spirituality could be a powerful tool in healing.”
After years of dedication and research, she earned her doctorate degree from Soegijapranata Catholic University in Semarang in January 2025, graduating with “a remarkable GPA of 3.92.”
Establishing a Healing Centre
Following her work at Griya Malaikat, Sr. Dolly, together with like-minded colleagues, founded the Supporting House and Healing Centre in Banyumas, Central Java.
The facility offers specialized care for individuals with mental health challenges, including members of religious communities.
Her work has garnered recognition from prominent religious leaders, including Professor Adrianus Sunarko, a Franciscan friar, theology professor, and Bishop of the Pangkalpinang Diocese, who served as one of the examiners for her doctoral dissertation.
Dolly expressed hope that her methods would “be effectively applied to religious individuals struggling with mental and spiritual challenges.”
She revealed to LiCAS News that she is currently “caring for a priest and two nuns facing emotional and psychiatric struggles.”
The “Contemplative Eco-Compassion” Approach
Central to Sr. Dolly’s work is her unique therapeutic method called “contemplative eco-compassion.”
“As a therapist, I must never judge my patients. To facilitate their healing, I practice a deeply humanistic approach,” she explained. “This therapeutic approach is the result of both my personal struggles and 17 years of research.”
Her approach emphasizes a contemplative and prayerful atmosphere that fosters closeness to God. “In silence, we assist individuals with mental disorders. Through intensive interaction, we make ourselves present—feeding, caring, and supporting them. We direct our hearts to God throughout the healing process, ensuring everything is done with love,” Sr. Dolly elaborated.
Eco-Friendly and Compassionate Healing
The “eco” aspect of eco-compassion reflects the importance of a supportive environment in the healing process.
“A supportive setting is essential for healing. For example, a person with a psychiatric condition should have their own room. Healthy individuals should not intrude on their space, as respect is crucial. Patients with mental disorders can become distressed if they feel disregarded,” she said.
Respecting emotional stability and privacy is equally important. “If a patient makes a rational request, it should be accommodated to support their healing journey,” she added.
Sr. Dolly emphasized that caregivers “must not judge or command them. We need to understand rather than judge.”
The “compassion” element of her approach is deeply rooted in Catholic Christian spirituality, promoting genuine love and kindness toward patients.
“Love these individuals with mental health conditions as God loves them. Caregivers are called to show the same divine love and compassion,” Sr. Dolly concluded.
