Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Sister Philomena was raised by her grandparents, aunts, and uncles after her parents died at a young age. "I was fortunate to have a good Catholic upbringing from a caring and loving family," she says. She taught in primary school for a year, in 1960, while awaiting her admission to the nursing program at Holy Family Hospital in Karachi.

"It was during nurses training that I decided to join Medical Mission Sisters, as I wanted to dedicate my life totally to following Jesus and caring for the sick and needy," she explains. She went out to work at Holy Family Hospital in Karachi for about 14 years, as a tutor and in the nursing service. She also worked at Saint Teresa's Hospital in Mirpurkhas, Pakistan, for 15 years teaching midwifery.

Sister Philomena was elected District Coordinator of Pakistan in 2001, and is currently serving her second term of office. "Leadership is a very difficult task, and I am growing in my understanding of it, and my appreciation of those who were and are in leadership," she reflects. "Faith and God's protection guided me to where I am today."