The Congregation of Saint John has a Priory at Pondicherry, on the east coast of India which was struck by the tsunami of December 26, 2004. The Brothers have provided some news telling how they helped those who were affected by this terrible disaster.

"We responded very quickly to those living in the fishermen's village, the one closest to us which was struck by the wave. Our Ashram (the Priory), situated on a little hill--we can see the sea from our balcony--became the area where all the people of the village ran as they fled from the sea; or they fled to the University of Pondicherry which is behind us. As a result, we were immediately able to help the ambulance as it carried the wounded to the local hospital, and we were also able to spend a few moments with the dead before they were quickly buried in a common grave (there were 16 from the village of Chinnakalapet who died). We then began to feed 500-700 people, provide blankets for the night, etc (the Brothers, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny who take care of our center for Aids patients, and the Poor Clares worked non-stop for three days).

We were later designated as a refugee camp for four days. In addition, we began carrying material supplies (blankets, buckets, dishes . . .) to all the villages between Marakanam and Pondicherry (about 3000 families). And yet, beyond all these little tasks, we experienced a great solidarity between the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, the University students and the many volunteers who never ceased offering their help. There were even some small miracles that took place: up until this time the village closest to us had always been very antagonistic toward us because the government had given us permission to bury Aids patients in the area. Their oppostion had even been very hostile. After this catastrophe in which they lost everything, many came to live with us and were also fed by our women with Aids. As a result, they have now become our friends. In addition, there were cases of heroic courage. We ourselves were more directly touched by the disaster because the homes of two of our Indian Brothers' families were damaged or completely destroyed.

For the moment, the fishermen are in a temporary camp as they wait for repairs to their boats to be made or to purchase new boats . . . that is, if they accept to return to the sea."