When a group of young people in downtown Kingston expresses deep sorrow at the passing of a 95-year-old nun, you understand the impact she made.

They wrote: “Central Kingston Young Jamaica regret the passing of Sister Mary Benedict Chung CD, a woman of the ghetto and a mother for all. Her life was one of service, love, and unwavering support for her community. She touched countless lives and will always be remembered for her kindness, strength, and faith.”

Sister Benedict, the courageous principal of the Holy Family School, was concerned about poor attendance due to gang violence and called the gang leaders together in 1974, brokering an agreement to keep the peace. In her history of Alpha, You Did It Unto Me, the late Sister Mary Bernadette Little quoted then Prime Minister Michael Manley in his tribute for her 25th anniversary as a nun: “Sister Benedict is one of those rare human beings whose lives exemplify their Christianity…By her every action she proves every hour and every day that she does love her neighbour as she does herself.” Manley credited Sister Benedict with “the great breakthrough that was made in my constituency when the two rival gangs were persuaded to stop fighting each other”.

She was so trusted that some of the men who fled Green Bay after the alleged massacre in 1978 sought refuge with her at the Laws Street Centre.

After her retirement as principal of the centre, Sister Benedict decided that she would live in the community because her people needed her. In 1989, she set up the Laws Street Trade Training Centre, instructing all who came in sewing, baking, cooking, and catering. She used the centre for distribution of food packages to tens of thousands of elderly and vulnerable folks, some who came from St Thomas and St Catherine.

The brilliant Sister of Mercy was the only woman to have ever chaired Food For the Poor Jamaica. She moved easily from the streets of the inner city to boardrooms, shoulder to shoulder with business leaders — the Mahfoods, the Hendricksons and Lyns, the Jardims, the Gambrills, the Issas, and the Coopers — who were in awe of her and supported her outreach every step of the way.

Marcia Thwaites, head of Mercy Associates, remembers Sister Benedict’s coaching for the then Common Entrance examination and her motherly guidance. Dr Velma Ricketts-Walker, former commissioner of Jamaica Customs Agency, was one of her schoolchildren and remained her lifelong “daughter”. She was a guiding light for Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, who said Mass regularly at her chapel, former priest Michael Lewis, and the late Bishop Burchell McPherson. For Hubie and me, she was like a second mother — we loved her witty and wonderful company.

At Christmas, several uptowners would join “Sister Benny” and her fellow Mercy Sister Irene Chen See, of blessed memory, at Laws Street for their famous Christmas Treat. Just as diligently as she prepared for the centre’s corporate sponsors, so did she ensure that the meals served to the senior citizens were perfect. She taught those of us assisting an important lesson: We were not helping these goodly folk as much as we were helping ourselves to discern the joy of service.

Born Rona Chung to Frank Chung and Beryl (nee Lai) of Troy, Trelawny, Sister Benedict, an honours graduate of St Joseph’s Teachers College, was from a family of high achieving academics and professionals. They wholeheartedly supported her choice of a life that has enriched thousands of others. Her nephew, Professor Michael Lee, and his wife, were ever by her side until her last breath.

Sister Benedict took the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience as a 16-year-old in the Christ the King Chapel on South Camp Road on February 2, 1948 and recalled, as a young nun, helping to care for the elderly Mother Claver (Jessie Ripoll), the founder of Alpha. In turn, Sister Benedict spoke of the loving care she was blessed with from fellow Mercy Sister Marie Therese who joined her Laws Street mission in recent years.

Sister Benedict’s compassionate nurturing is one of Jamaica’s greatest love stories. We mourn with her family, the Sisters of Mercy, and all her loved ones, and we are grateful to God for blessing us with his favoured daughter, now in her heavenly home.

60 years of Spanish Diplomacy

Ambassador José María Fernández López de Turiso hosted a memorable event on Spain’s National Day, October 15, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Spain and Jamaica. “Spain’s decision to establish a resident embassy in Kingston in 1966 reflected our conviction that Jamaica is a key partner, both bilaterally and within the wider Caribbean,” he said. “Since then, our relationship has continued to grow.”

We were proud that he remarked on Jamaica’s leadership in Caricom, the United Nations, and the International Seabed Authority, and that “over the years our two countries have worked closely together in support of multilateralism, sustainable development, and the rules-based international order”.

They say, “a friend in need is a friend indeed,” and Spain proved this in its quick response to the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, donating a fully equipped field hospital in Falmouth. “I am particularly proud of the solidarity shown by Spaniards living and working in Jamaica and by Spanish companies. During those difficult days, I witnessed first-hand the best of our partnership. Spanish companies and institutions mobilised resources, provided emergency support, and opened their doors to those in need. Altogether, the Spanish hotel sector contributed nearly US$6 million to relief and recovery efforts. I must say here publicly that if it weren’t for Iberostar, we would have never been able to deploy the field hospital.”

We cheered heartily as the ambassador recalled Spain’s victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge, in congratulating the ambassador and embassy colleagues, said, “I am pleased to highlight and acknowledge the substantial and sustained contribution of Spanish investors to Jamaica’s thriving tourism sector to the tune of more than US$2.5 billion.”

The state minister expressed deep gratitude for Spain’s role in post-hurricane relief and noted “the unwavering support extended by Spanish-owned and -operated hoteliers to their employees and the communities affected by Hurricane Melissa”.

Terrelonge, who spoke in both Spanish and English, shared, “I have personally experienced the power of the language to transform lives, build bridges, and engender stronger people-to-people connections. It is, therefore, my honour to use this occasion to also express Jamaica’s appreciation for Spain’s invaluable contribution to the promotion of Spanish-language education in Jamaica.”

Let us learn and practise the Spanish language, its beautiful songs and poems bring back memories of our Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha” Spanish teacher, Vilma Young, who immersed us in the language and danced to her clicking castanets. ¡Olé España!

Jean Lowrie-Chin is an author and executive chair of PROComm, PRODEV, and CCRP.