Mysore Province

Diocese: Mysore

   Pioneers: Sisters Benvita D’Souza and Ranitha Claudiet

The dedicated service coupled with simplicity of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters beckoned them to Kudige. Prior to being established as a parish in 2004, Kudige was a substation of Kushalnagar church. Fr Angelo Pais was appointed parish priest of Kudige; he knew the Sisters in places such as Naganahalli, PG Palayam, Jompanahalli and Muddanahalli – all rural and economically backward areas. He approached Sr Leena Mascarenhas, the Provincial Superior, and requested to assist him in faith formation as well as in the ministry of education.

Sisters Benvita D’Souza and Renita Claudiet were chosen for the task; they arrived at Kudige on June 1, 2006. While residing in a rented house and being fully involved in parish apostolate such as visiting families and praying Rosary in families the Sisters were mulling over putting up a house of their own. In order to actualize their dream, a two-acre land was bought in 2006. A three room school building was constructed; Sr Olinda Sequeira, the Provincial Superior, inaugurated it on December 1, 2006. It has to be noted that the Sisters continued to reside in the rented building. Happily for the Sisters Don Francesco Saverio Bazzoffi, the Italian benefactor of the Congregation, offered to finance the construction of a fifteen room school building through a generous donor Marilena Ferrari. The building has been completed. A part of the building is used for the residence of the Sisters.

Diocese: Machakos

Pioneers: Sisters Cynthia Wilma Rego, Cecilia D’Souza and Reshma D’Souza

Sisters Cynthia Wilma Rego, Cecilia D’Souza and Reshma D’Souza landed at Katoloni at Machakos in Kenya on February 6, 2012. At their arrival, they resided in a house of the Diocese, which is in the Bishops’ Campus. The Campus consists of eight religious institutes belonging to various religious Congregations. A diocesan seminary, a parish church, a pastoral centre, and teachers’ quarters also form part of the Campus. Their house, named Assisi Convent was blessed and inaugurated on the day of their arrival by Bishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Machakos Diocese.

Pastoral apostolate is the primary concern of the Sisters at Machakos, which they render in two secondary schools, a parish, Our Lady of Fatima and chapel of the seminary Pope Paul VI. In the secondary schools, which are residential in nature, the Sisters are involved in preparation and conducting of Sunday liturgy, catechizing on Sundays and preparing students for adult Baptism, reception of Holy Communion, and Confirmation. The parish church and the seminary chapel are taken care by way of their upkeep for liturgical celebrations and prayer. Their cleanliness is a routine task of the Sisters.

As a varied ministry, the Sisters instruct in the diocesan Minor Seminary, consisting of classes IX to XII with a number of 250 students. The pupils belong to diverse backgrounds such as single mother/father, step mother/father, pupils under custody of a guardian. Given this reality, the Sisters have a demanding schedule which resumes at 4.45 am. In other words, they are required to strive towards holistic growth of students and not mere academic progress. Sr Reshma was involved totally in health apostolate at Bishop Kioko Hospital. Her cheerfulness, self-confidence and committed service made her the most fitting person for the job. Her work was rightly recognized and appreciated by the Director as well as the Management of the hospital. When a new community was started in Kenya at Kithimani in June 2013, she was transferred there to pioneer the health apostolate and Sr Vivian Lona Pinto replaced her. The latter has begun her mission with youthful zeal. Sundays are days of communion: all religious and priests residing in the Campus meet together for BCC prayer. The occasion is utilized to discuss issues related to their mission.

In their own words, their mission is demanding. However, they are bracing through it. Good and supportive neighbours are a pillar of support to them. This positive note of fruitfulness in mission is affirmed by the bishop at their completion of one year in the mission. He said, “Thank you for your dedication to the ministry! You have brought us new life, joy and revived our missionary zeal. Be blessed with the peace of Christ and joy of the Holy Spirit”.

Diocese: Shimoga

Pioneers: Sisters Maryanne Sequeira, Anicetus Souza and Edelfi Souza

 

Thirthahalli, a ‘hamlet of holy water’ is located in the Shimoga District which is also a Taluk headquarters of the same name. The Ursuline Franciscan

Sisters landed in this ‘sacred’ place on November  3, 1956. The people of the village were poor; facilities of any sort were simply not there. The dense

jungle all around worsened the situation. Fr F P Lopez invited the Sistersinto this state of affair and entrusted them with a threefold task: to educate the

poor, to attend to their basic requirements and to  help out in the apostolic activities of the parishchurch.  The Sisters resided in the old parish

chapel, launching out into their activities. The first book of the History gives us aglimpse of their life and work. All thattookplace for the past fifty-seven

years is a tribute to their heroism. They ought to be saluted for sowing the seedsof love in young minds and hearts, fordisseminating tolerance and peace

in situations of opposition and for spreading the Word which is theirboundenduty. A band of committed Sisters,namely, Sr Aloysia D’Souza, Sr

Joyceline D’Souza and Sr Alicita Lasrado under the able leadership of Sr Irene B. D’Souza were a blessing at Thirthahalli in those years.

 St Mary Kannada Medium School was started on the corridors of the parish as well as under the trees. It was only in the year 1965 that the school

building was constructed and a few rooms were added in the year 1974. As the number of students kept increasing, stage by stage low cost building

constructions were done to meet the needs of the students until the new school building was erected in 1999. A spacious and conducive convent building was

also constructed and inaugurated on April 24, 2001. Heeding the demand of the people for an English medium school, the St Mary English Medium High

School was inaugurated on June 8, 2005. In keeping with the need of the time a separate block for English Medium School was spotted at Indiranagar, two

kilometres away from the existing school building. Once the land was acquired within a span of thirteen months the new school building was ready for

English medium students. It was inaugurated on October 3, 2008 by Rev Sr Olinda Sequeira, Provincial Superior, and blessed by Most Rev. Jerald Isaac

Lobo the then Bishop of Shimoga. We cannot but record with appreciation the tireless labour of Sr Irene Mascarenhas. The artistic design of the

building by Mr Louis Cutinha, the architect and engineer is worth noting too. 

January 22, 2007 was a day marked for the expression of gratitude to God and colourful external celebration of the golden jubilee of Kannada Medium School, witnessed by the dignitaries, members of the Congregation and beneficiaries of the School.

The Sisters do not claim credit for their educational exercises alone; they hold their charism close to their heart which guides them to involve themselves in the parish ministry. They participate actively in the programmes of the parish; they also identify with people by partaking in their joys and sorrows. Catechizing has been carried on with passion. The forty-four years of labour of love of the Sisters was duly acknowledged and rewarded by the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes of Thirthahalli when it honoured all the Superiors of Assisi Convent since its inception at the occasion of its centenary celebration on December 9, 2000.

   

Diocese: Shimoga

Pioneers: Sisters Millicent Pinto, Redempta Francis, Irene Vas and Juliana Miranda

Jogfalls is a tourist attraction spot due to its gorgeous waterfalls; the waterfall in turn is a contributive factor towards generation of power, which lights up a vast territory of Karnataka. Due to the power project, Jogfalls had housed a large number of labourers. In order to cater to their spiritual and other needs, the Diocese of Shimoga required a committed band of Sisters. At the behest of Bishop Alphonse Mathias of Chikmagalur Diocese, Fr Joe Mary Lobo, the parish priest of Jogfalls, invited the Sisters to Jogfalls.

     At their arrival, they resided in a transient structure of the Power Project. They undertook educational, pastoral, medical, and social and development works at Kargal, a town located seven kilometres away from Jogfalls. Kargal housed the additional labour force of the Power Project. Sr Millicent, one of the pioneers, recounts their initial days at Jogfalls: the arduous walking they had to undertake to and from Kargal and Jogfalls, the days of starving they had to spend due to lack of financial stability, and the weight of heavy work they had to assume on their young shoulders. As the immigrant workers at Kargal vacated the place in 1970s at the completion of their project, the Sisters focused their total attention on Jogfalls. The Sisters clearly point to the fact that they follow the mandate of Christ in their mission and never their own schemes.

By 1970s, the Sisters managed to procure rent free housing from the Power Project. The immediate task was to begin a school at Jogfalls. The initiative was backed by SK Hanumantha Reddy, BE Super Intending Civil Engineer, Kargal and his assistants. Christa Prakash School was started in 1971. It achieved progress within a short span of time. The educational office, impressed by the good work of the Sisters, offered financial assistance to the School. Along with educational activities, the Sisters kept alive their developmental works. They extended their services to substations such as Kogar, Linganamakki, Siddapur and Padambyle.

In 1987 at the intervention of Fr Mark D’Silva, the parish priest, the Sisters put up a school as well as a convent building. The school consisting of both Kannada and English mediums, excelled wonderfully under the able leadership of several Sisters. The Superiors in particular deserve a mention: Sisters Millicent Pinto, Celomia Olivera, Petronilla D’Silva, Alicita Lasrado, Supriya Handiavar, Santosh D’Souza, Jacintha Veigas and Rita Lobo. In the succeeding years, demands for English medium effected a drastic fall in number of students to the existing Kannada medium school. In order to maintain the number, the Sisters had to open a boarding house with the assistance of Bishop Jerald Lobo of Shimoga Diocese. The boarding house accommodates children belonging to economically weaker sections.

The Sisters at Jogfalls are active pastorally. They animate and guide Youth Associations, Legion of Mary, Y.C.S, Altar Boys’ Sodality and St Vincent De Paul Association. Socio- developmental works are not sidelined; they steer Mahila Sanghas. Jogfalls being an electric colony illumines a vast part of the State of Karnataka. Certainly, in the years to come Christa Jyothi Convent and School will continue to radiate the light of Christ to those living still in darkness.

Diocese: Chikmagalur

Pioneers: Petronilla D’Silva, Antonette, Alice Lewis and Simplicia D’Souza

The dedicated work of the Sisters at Koppa and Balehonnur had given them ample publicity in the Diocese of Chikmagalur. Fr Joseph D’Souza, the parish priest of St Rita’s church which was the first parish of the newly erected Diocese of Chikmagalur, invited the Sisters to bless Jayapura with their services. These were required in forming the faith of the ‘little flock’ that resided in and around Jayapura. Apart from this, they were assigned the tasks of beginning a tailoring as well as a nursery class and coaching the SSLC children in view of procuring good results.

When the Sisters arrived at Jayapura on June 1, 1973, their residence lacked even the basic needs. Hence they dwelt at Nirmala Convent, Balehonnur, established a decade earlier, and stayed there until June 10, 1973. Immediately after their arrival, the Sisters involved themselves in pastoral activities. Sr Antonette recollects her catechism class that consisted of sixty children. Along with Sr Alice she also coached the school children; the modest income thus obtained had been a means to balance the meagre remuneration of Rs. 200/- they received from the parish. 

Sr Petronilla D’Silva, fetched some income from the tailoring class (Rs five per head); she used the opportunity to form the faith of her students; she also inculcated in them the values of the Kingdom. Sr Simplicia supported their venture by being a kind-hearted mother at home. The Sisters visited the Karkigunda (in the coffee estate) substation regularly and assisted in catechizing and in the reception of sacraments.

The construction of the convent building was completed in 1974 with the assistance of Fr Joseph D’Souza. A part of the convent building was used to house ten destitute children. Gradually the Sisters started a nursery section by fetching children daily from their homes. The only place they could obtain for the purpose was the parish church – a portion of the Church was curtained off and used as a classroom for six months until the class was shifted to the newly erected convent building in 1976. A school building was erected braving all the odds in 1973 on a 3.25 acre of land received from the diocese.

The school put up and brought up with sweat and tears has come up to be a symbol of success. Now the school has been upgraded till VIII. As the number of students kept increasing year by year, the Sisters felt the need of putting up a multi- purpose hall; the hall was constructed and inaugurated on March 29, 1995. The labour of love put in the construction of the hall by Sr Celomia Olivera and the other Sisters certainly calls for admiration.

The pioneers and the successive members who served the people of God at Jayapura   count the blessings with joy today. They remember with gratitude Fr Joseph D’Souza who made their stay at Jayapura joyful in spite of all the odds. Even though he was transferred from Jayapura within a year of the arrival of the Sisters, he supported them until his death on July 21, 2008. The Sisters also owe their gratitude to Mr Henry Pinto and his family, Basrikatte for financing the construction of toilets in Christa Prabha Convent in 2006.

The Sisters are active apostolically. They visit families, coach school dropouts and guide students in their selection of future career. They are faithful to the charism of the Congregation, namely, the catechizing of children and adults, preparing them for the reception of the sacraments, animating SFO and Youth Association. These interactions keep the Sisters united with the people.

Diocese: Mysore

Pioneers: Sisters Beatrice D’Silva, Claudia Tauro and Stella Rodrigues

The year 1965 is significant to the Church as it marks the conclusion of the grace-filled event of the Second Vatican Council on December 8. The spirit of the Council began to flow in the Congregation too as it deepened the zeal of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters to carry the message of Christ to the marginalized of society. Having been already rooted in the love for the poor and the downtrodden the Congregation carried on the task  of moving in line with the directives of the Councils and intensified its option to go to the backward villages of the State of Karnataka and strove strenuously for the promotion of the well-being of people, the marginalized in particular.

Accordingly, the Sisters chose a non-developed village, Naganahalli; it is located 34 kilometres to the south-east of Hunsur and 58 kilometres to the south-west of Mysore. The closest bus point to Mysore was seven kilometres from the village. The veiled village was detected during his hunting by a humane French missionary to India, Fr Peter Penven MEP, a professor at the St Peter’s Seminary, Bangalore. Fr Michael, the parish priest of Hunsur, having witnessed the work of the Sisters elsewhere  in Mysore, invited them to illuminate the shadowy existence of people.

When the Sisters arrived at the place on June 8, 1965 traversing by a bullock cart, they received a heartwarming welcome by people, which entailed in it a pressing appeal for assistance as well as an assurance for collaboration. The Sisters determined to face a situation of unhygienic water for drinking, kerosene lamps for illumination, ragi as their staple food which was sometimes gobbled by dogs due to lack of safety in the hut, a thatched hut for their residence which was inundated during rainy season and developed ant hills during summer season – all with love, patience and prudence.

It can be claimed that their endurance was rewarded duly. As if to make up for insolvency, the Sisters own a large plot of land. Bishop Mathias Fernandes of Mysore Diocese while handing over the M&RF hospital to the Sisters in 1981 donated a coconut farm of three acres for the maintenance of the hospital and six acres of dry land opposite to the convent for orphanage. In addition, Sr Beatrice D’Silva, then superior of the community, purchased six and three acres of land on either side of the Taraka flowing stream. Later Sr Alphonsa purchased another three acres of land. The land is reachable easily by means of a bridge constructed in 2001. 

The Sisters have been serving in the field of education, pastoral care, and socio-medico concerns ever since the inception of their existence in Naganahalli. Pastorally, the Sisters undertake a lot of responsibilities. They catechize, pray with people, animate Altar Servers’ Sodality and Legion of Mary; they prepare children for reception of sacraments. They have also introduced Universal Living Rosary Crusade founded by venerable Pauline Mary Jeri Cot in USA, Texas. Sr Severine Barrows deserves a note of admiration for the great efforts she took to spread this devotion not only among the people of Naganahalli and elsewhere but also among the Sisters of the Congregation. She can be rightly called a promoter of Rosary. For this special apostolate she undertook in her years of acute pain and helplessness, Mother Mary blessed her with the reward of a happy death on October 7, the feast of our Lady of Holy Rosary. The Sisters visit the sick and the aged and participate in SCC prayer services. One can claim unhesitatingly that the Sisters have contributed a great deal in the formation of faith of people at Naganahalli. The number of priests and religious from the place probably attests to this fact. The education apostolate of the Sisters has been a boon in the all-round development of Naganahalli. The Sacred Heart Primary School of 1965 has been upgraded to high school in 1985 by Fr Angelo Pais, the parish priest. The Sisters endeavour to educate every child of the locality.

The Sisters have been putting maximum efforts into health ministry throughout the course of their life at Naganahalli. The hospital receives visiting doctors from St Mary Health Centre, H D Kote. Two each general nurses and nursing-aids and a few helpers are at the beck and call of patients always. On an average 50 to 60 outpatients and five to six inpatients receive treatment at the hospital. It sounds strange but it is true that the Sisters have been often working for twenty hours a day. In their times of illness, people trust the Sisters more than they trust in medication. At the silver jubilee celebration of the Convent, a block was added to the existing structure which caters to more sick persons. Sr Jyothi Fernandes inaugurated it and Bishop Joseph Roy blessed it on December 1, 1999. A Sister nurse travels across villages and attends to the sick. Seeking assistance of the specialized medical personnel, she organizes periodical awareness programmes on HIV/Aids and communicable diseases. The hospital M&RF has assumed collaboration in the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme since 2010.

Naganahalli is doubtlessly a receptive ground for initiatives of any sort. Precisely this aspect led the Sisters to venture into social apostolate at Naganahalli. In 2006 Sr Carmine D’Souza initiated women development programmes, which were extended to surrounding villages of Naganahalli. People were organized in groups and guided to work for the uplift of their individual villages. They procured benefits of governmental schemes. It is observed that as a result of the pastoral-socio- medical apostolate, social evils such as alcoholism, gambling, theft and suicide are restrained to a large extent. Moreover, Naganahalli is declared a ‘clean Panchayat’ on August 16, 2010 for its development in health and hygiene.

A few other developments require a mention: the coconut farm was improved in 2005 by a borewell as well as a farm house named ‘Jyothi Farm’. The residence of the Sisters has been well furnished making it feasible for accommodating the elderly Sisters of the Province. Bishop Thomas Vazhapilly blessed it and Sr Jyothi Fernandes inaugurated it on September 9, 2003. Christa Raj Convent has offered solace to Sisters Severine Barrows and Jude D’Souza in their final days on earth. The Sisters have been keeping the Franciscan Spirit alive by toiling in the farm: they cultivate cash crops such as groundnuts, cotton, tobacco etc. The Sisters at Christa Raj Convent take example of Christ the King to be the compassionate and loving Sisters in their ministry.

Diocese: Mysore

Pioneers : Sisters Apoline Goveas, Servella Rodrigues and Cecilia D’Souza

The Christu Raj Convent at Hanur was one more added to several others established in 1970s. It was also the last in the series of thirty-one convents established during the tenure of Sr Ernestine D’Almeida (1968-1971) as Superior General. As in the case of convents established during this epoch, Hanur too had its share of affliction. Unmitigated poverty, rampant caste system and its consequences, as well as ethnic conflicts had been common elements of the region. In order to confront these crucial challenges Fr Henry Monteiro, parish priest of Kamagere, with the recommendation of Bishop Mathias Fernandes of Mysore Diocese, invited the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters to Hanur. Kamagere is situated ten kilometres away from Hanur. Perpetual Succour Convent established in 1961 at PG Palayam in Kollegal, lying 27 kilometres away from Hanur is the immediate Ursuline Franciscan neighbouring house to Hanur.

Hanur had been a substation of Kamagere at the arrival of the Sisters at the place. A steady growth in the number of Catholic population, namely 150 over the years due mainly to the evangelizing mission of the Sisters, led to the elevation of the substation into Our Lady of Velankani parish church in 1989. The Sisters render pastoral service in the parish as well as in two substations of the parish, i.e., Chikkamalapura and Gundapura situated at a distance of eight kilometres from Christu Raj. Pastoral activities of the Sisters are similar to those of their Sisters elsewhere like catechizing, liturgy, and preparing children for reception of the sacraments. They visit families, pray with them, and reach out to them as and when necessary.

Ever since 1979, the education ministry of the Sisters has made amazing progress at Hanur. The Lower Primary Christu Raj School started in 1980, after the arrival of the Sisters has reached to the level of class XII. The Chirstu Raj English Medium School started in June 1981 has achieved the height of Class XII as well. The Sisters teach in both the schools. On June 6, 2008, the Christu Raj Convent started a pre-primary section in a separate block constructed for the purpose. The Angela Play Home caters to 25 tiny tots of the locality.

The town of Hanur has developed significantly. It was constituted into a town Panchayat in 2002 and declared the head office of the Kollegal taluk in 2003. The town is the wealthiest in the district of Chamrajnagar. Business settlers in the town have repainted the face of Hanur as an affluent city. This reality stresses two factors. The first is that the progress of Hanur is limited to its township; the second is that the basis of progress to a large extent is the quality education along with accompaniment at all levels offered by the Sisters to their pupils and the people of the village. It ought to be noted that the surrounding villages of Hanur continue to reel under poverty and wretchedness. The Sisters need to brave a number of obstacles in assisting the people living in rural areas to realize their dignity as the children of God, for “obstacles are those frightful things one sees when one takes one’s eyes off the goal”– Henry Ford.

Diocese: Mysore

Pioneers: Sisters Bibiana Noronha, Gemma Pinto and Lissy Madavath

The Ursuline Franciscan Congregation was considering acquiring a prayer house of its own. Subsequently, on June 25, 1997 the General Administration bought a plot of land at Alanahalli with an existing building that operated as a hostel for girls until then. Alanahalli is a village in Mysore Taluk. It belongs to Mysore Division. It is located eight kms towards the west of District Headquarters of Mysore. The existing structure required certain alteration to make it suitable for the Sisters to reside in it and the fulfilment of the purpose of the prayer house. Having attended to these requirements the house was now ready to acommodate small groups of participants. It was named Deepanjali, meaning ‘offering of light’ The name of the Convent receives confirmation in the chosen patron saint of the Convent, St Clare meaning ‘brightness’. Deepanjali is meant to radiate the light of Christ to those coming into it and those living around it by way of making itself available as a house of prayer.

In order to concretize the above-stated vision Sisters Bibiana Noronha, Gemma Pinto and Lissy Madavath arrived at Deepanjali as pioneers on June 25, 1997. On August 11, 1997 Deepanjali was inaugurated by Sr Edilburga Monteiro, the Superior General; it was blessed by Bishop Joseph Roy of the Diocese of Mysore. In the subsequent years, the requirements of Alanahalli have been met such as, registering the land in the name of Sr Beatrice D’Silva, compounding the land with boundary, upgrading the house with a conference hall, dining hall and two guest rooms. As a dwelling place of prayer, Deepanjali has housed the tertians of the Congregation for 10 years. Besides, both male and female religious, priests, Brothers and people from other denominations too have been spiritually nurtured by Deepanjali. It was  canonically erected with the formal decree of the erection on April 20, 2003 by Sr Edilburga, Superior General. In 2005 an additional conference hall was built.

After 10 years of its existence under the care of the Generalate, Deepanjali was handed over to the Mysore Province on 2007. Sr Annie M A was appointed the first Superior under the new regime. Ever since its inception, the Sisters have been extending their services both in pastoral and social field. Pastorally, they participate and coordinate in the parish activities. Socially, they visit families, listen to the woes of people and counsel them. They also coach the slow-learning and illiterate children and youth of the neighbourhood. Retreats and courses etc are being conducted at Deepanjali as usual. The Sisters continue to radiate Christ the light by their ‘being’ and ‘doing’ at Aalanahalli.

Diocese: Mysore

Pioneers: Sisters Fridesville Menezes, Premalatha C

Evangelization and catechesis are interrelated. Evangelization refers to proclamation or announcement of faith to those who do not yet ‘believe’. It is also called kerygma. It is necessary that the act/process of proclamation is carried on in a fascinating, interesting and coherent way so the logic and beauty coincide and help bring one to belief. Catechesis succeeds evangelization or kerygma. This means that once one believes and accepts faith, then examination of that faith in its entirety/ its implications/its history must be set forward in a systematic and regular way, which is carried on through catechesis.

The analysis of evangelization and catechesis transports us to Udbur. Udbur is a village in Mysore Taluk of Karnataka State. It belongs to Mysore Division. It is located 14 kms towards south from district headquarters of Mysore, 13 kms from Mysore. The existence of Divya Jyothi at Udbur meaning ‘to well up and overflow’ rightly elicits sentiments of delight in the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters. For it has actualized the dream of the Congregation, specifically of Sr Edilburga Monteiro, the Superior General – in line with its charism – to begin a centre exclusively for evangelization and catechesis. After seeking a written permission from Bishop Joseph Roy of Mysore Diocese, the centre was started in a rented building at Model House, Karunapura Extension, NR Mohalla, Mysore. The Catechetical- Evangelization office was established on September 2002 to March 2006. Sr Jyothi Fernandes inaugurated it and Fr Joseph D’Mello, parish priest of St Joseph’s Cathedral, Mysore blessed it. Sr Edilburga Monteiro graced the occasion by her presence; Ms Irene D’Souza, President of the Catholic Women League of St Joseph Cathedral, Mysore, Sisters of the Province and laity were present as well. It has to be noted that an endeavour towards active involvement in catechetical programmes has been existing in the Mysore Province since 2002. 

The centre got into task immediately after its inauguration. It began with Sisters of the Province: the Catechism of the Catholic Church has been explained to Sisters zone-wise. Besides, lay leaders of Mysore diocese at the level of deaneries and mission stations have been trained. Bishop Thomas A Vazhapilly has encouraged and supported the venture greatly. In spite of the several hurdles involved in the work such as lack of a suitable venue, distance involved in reaching places of activity, the centre has extended its services to sixty parishes and schools. The centre has trained people of different age groups such as adolescents, youth, adults, women and children with programmes of shorter and longer durations.

Having acknowledged the fruitful work undertaken in the field of catechesis and evangelization under the leadership of Sr Clotty Olivera (Coordinator for pastoral apostolate of the Congregation) on the one hand and on the other realizing the necessity to be more effective in the fields, the second Provincial Chapter mandated to the  newly  elected  Provincial  Superior, Sr Leena Mascarenhas and her team to establish a catechetical centre at the province level. Following this, a plot of land was purchased at Udbur on July 23, 2005. A training centre especially for lay leaders was put up in response to the need of the hour and in line with the terms and conditions of the donors. The Divya Jyothi farm house was ready for habitation on December 9, 2006. Fr Bona Marcel Rodrigues OFM Cap blessed it and Sr Leena Mascarenhas inaugurated it. Sr Fridesville Menezes, was the pioneer of this house. Sr Cressy D’Souza replaced Sr Fridesville as animator of the community on June 1, 2007; Sr Pramila D’Souza joined the community as a member.

On August 31, 2009 a new structure was ready. Sr Olinda Sequeira, the Provincial Superior of Mysore Province, inaugurated it and Bishop Thomas Anthony Vazhapilly blessed it. On September 17, 2009 the initial state of formation for religious life – candidacy– was shifted to Udbur from Bangalore. Sr Anitha Fernandes guided fourteen girls in their quest to become consecrated religious.

Besides the specific work in the field of evangelization, the Sisters reach out to people by way of literacy, emotional assistance, pastoral help etc.

Diocese: Shimoga

Pioneers: Sisters Lilly Pushpa and Sunitha Monis

Molakalmuru is one of the six talukas of Chitradurga District. It covers an area of 732.49 square kilometres. It is 100 kilometres to the south of the Chitradurga District head quarters –   Bellary. Molakalmur is within the jurisdiction of Shimoga Diocese. Bishop Isaac Lobo of the Diocese, having known the work of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters in rural areas, invited them to reach out to people in Molakalmur especially by way of evangelization.

Sr Doreen D’Souza, Superior General, sent Sisters Lilly Pushpa and Sunitha Monis as pioneers to the place. Accompanied by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo and Fr Clarence D’Souza of Shimoga Diocese they arrived at Molakalmuru on June 4, 2005. They were welcomed by Fr Alphonse Lobo, the parish priest of Blessed Joseph Vaz church, Molakalmuru.

The Sisters were put up in a rented house provided by the parish. They began their mission right in the scorching heat. Extreme heat proved to be part of their mission as this was to be accomplished in the interior villages of Molakalmuru. The expertise of Sr Lilly Pushpa, a Master in Social Work came as a blessing at this juncture. She began coaching school children of primary, high school and PUC level. She also organized weekly meetings of the groups of children and women whom she had formed to deal with financial and social matters in their respective villages. In addition, she conducted awareness programmes on issues such as health and hygiene. Alongside, she organized the local non-governmental groups too.

Fortunately for the Sisters the Bishop of the Diocese, Isaac Lobo, shared the concern of the Sisters to reach out to the marginalized. He was insistent that the children of the economically poor parents ought to receive best education. In order to concretize the vision, a school was started at Molakalmuru in 2006. Sr Anthoniammma C rendered her service in the school as headmistress and Sr Sophia Bellary as a supporting staff. The village heads, namely, Mr Nagaraj and Shushilendra and the people alike have been expressing delight at the service of the Sisters in the field of education.

Fr Alphonse Lobo, the parish priest, was supportive of the Sisters ever since their arrival at Molakalmuru. With his assistance, the Sisters have purchased an eight acre land at Sommanahalli village of Molakalmuru Taluk. On May 18, 2007, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo laid the foundation stone for Divya Kripa Convent as well as Divya Kripa Social Service Centre. Sr Lilly Pushpa toiled hard to get the construction ready in ten months. The Generalate team assisted the venture greatly. The assistance of Sr Jeraldine D’Souza, Councillor General for construction, the support of Fr Alphonse Lobo, the help of Mr Thipperudra Gowda of Molakalmuru in processing the documents of the land, and the labour of Mr G Nagaraj of Bommalinganahalli in compounding the property were noted and are remembered with gratitude by the Sisters. Bishop Isaac was supportive in all the endeavours of the Sisters; he remunerated them with Rs 2000 a month.

On March 31, 2008 Divya Kripa was inaugurated by Sr Doreen D’Souza, the Superior General, and it was blessed by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo. From then onwards, the administration of the house has been entrusted to the Mysore Province. Sr Petronilla D’Silva, as the animator and Sr Felcy D’Cunha as the social worker, Sr Reena D’Souza the headmistress of the School and Sr Precilla Dollin as teaching staff were members of the canonically erected community. Sr Petronilla focused her immediate attention on cultivating fruit and coconut trees all over the land. She also managed to obtain a transformer with a capacity of 100 kilowatts; the financial burden was shouldered by the Generalate. 

The gradual transition towards working in an institutionalized set-up did not deter the Sisters from reaching out to people in villages near and far of Molakalmuru. They visit villages regularly including the Ashoka Siddapura village which is 24 kilometres away from Molakalmuru; they stay overnight in villages, conduct prayers in Catholic families and visit other families. The Sisters also assist children and women in their socio-economic development. Currently, Sr Milagrin D’Souza, a trained social worker, organizes various programmes in villages such as saving schemes, awareness programmes on gender issues and equal rights, and leadership training. The Sisters commute distant villages by means of bicycle. Through their unassuming service the Sisters would surely sow the values of the Kingdom in the hearts of the people and enable them to experience ‘Divya Kripa’ - God’s grace - his favour in their life.

Diocese: Bangalore

Pioneers: Sisters Epiphania Fernandes, Apoline Pinto and Marie Correa

The Holy Family Convent has its origin in the incentive offered by Fr Pacificus Menezes OFM Cap. Having intended to establish a monastery in the suburbs of Bangalore South, he invited the Sisters to join hands with him in the faith formation of people as well their holistic development. The Superior General Sr Genevieve Castelino responded promptly to the invitation and sent Sisters Epiphania Fernandes, Apoline Pinto, and Marie Correa who are the pioneers at Dubasipalya.

They rented a house for their residence at Kengeri until a plot of land was bought at Dubasipalya and a convent building was erected in September 1966. Meanwhile the Sisters ventured into starting a primary school, the beginning of which was made on the corridor of the Capuchin Friars. They braved all hitches that arose in the process and laid the foundation of the Gnanabodhini Kannada medium school on May 28, 1967. Sr Philomena D’Souza took charge of the school as Sr Apoline Pinto breathed her last on July 3, 1967. Sr Severine Barrows and Sr Gemma Pinto took up the challenge of constructing the school building soon after their arrival on June 3, 1969. The school building as well as the convent building saw its completion in 1971. In 1972 an English medium school was commenced at the public demand. On September 17, 1988 a new convent building was blessed and inaugurated by Archbishop Alphonse Mathias.

The school has expanded and developed beyond expectation over the years. Its growth led to shifting the Gnanabodhini High School to the campus of Maria Nilaya in Gollarahatti (now known as Gnanbharathi Layout) in 1989. Consequently the quarters for teachers have been terminated as the teachers have found their own residences. The Primary School celebrated the silver jubilee of its existence. This event of joy was inaugurated by Sr Severine Barrows, Superior General, on June 22, 1991; it was concluded on 31 December 1991.

The Sisters take credit not merely for their educational apostolate. They are an integral part of the parish church even after the parish church was moved in 2001 to the Satellite town from the Deena Seva Ashram at the Capuchin Friary which is at a kilometre’s distance from the Convent. They catechize children and adults, animate youth groups, altar servers, and Marian Sodality; they pray with families and stand by them and with them always.

The Sisters reach out to people in all possible ways. In 1985 Sr Alphonsa Fernandes organized health awareness programmes in Oddarapalya village now known as Shivanapalya. Consequently in response to the need of people a health care unit has been started. The unit organized health and hygiene programmes especially to illiterate and poor women of the locality; it also takes up the task of reinstating children who have been dropped out of school. 

The Holy Family Convent has housed the new recruits of the Mysore Province ever since the inception of the Province in 1995. They were accommodated in the renovated wing of the Primary School building until the programme was shifted to Divya Jyothi Convent at Udbur, Mysore in 2009. At Kengeri, the candidates had the opportunity to be in touch with socio- pastoral realities both in the parish and among people. The atmosphere has certainly enriched their vocation.

Certain incidents have shaken the Sisters: Sr Collette Vas died on March 8, 2003. As a community member of the Holy Family Convent, she had toiled strenuously for the well-being of the Sisters and the people. She was laid to rest at Bogadi, Mysore. Sr Winnifred breathed her last on September 17, 2004. Having worked in underdeveloped areas including Bijapur, she was brought to Holy Family in her last days when she was diagnosed with cancer. The mortal remains were laid in the Maria Niketan cemetery Bogadi.

Diocese: Chingleput

Pioneers: Sisters Edwina Saldanha and Milly D’Souza

At the request of Archbishop Arul Das James of Madras- Mylapore Archdiocese, the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters landed at Pallikaranai in Valechery. Fr Vincent Monterio (brother of Sr Edilburga Monteiro) and Fr Vijay Kiran were instrumental in the process and in particular in selecting Pallikaranai as the base of the apostolic activity of the Sisters. Pallikaranai is 22 kms to the south Chennai.

The objective of their presence was to strive for holistic development of the marginalized, which they were to achieve through literacy and faith formation. To this effect, Sr Edilburga Monteiro, the Superior General, Sr Jyothi Fernandes, the Regional Superior of Mysore and Archbishop Arul Das signed an agreement on May 1, 1995. Sr Edwina Saldanha, a committed Sister and an experienced pioneer elsewhere and Sr Milly D’Souza were chosen as pioneers of the mission at Pallikaranai. They involved themselves in socio-pastoral apostolate; they also organized the youth. For their residence, they had a rented house close to the present residence. The residence served as a transit house for Sisters travelling to and from North-East India.

In the meantime, the Sisters purchased an acre of land in Pallikarnai. A convent building was constructed and Infant Jesus Convent was inaugurated on January 22, 1995. Simultaneously, the Sisters started a nursery class with thirty-five students on June 1, 1995. Pursuing scope for education, foundation stone was laid for Infant Jesus School in 1999. On December 21, 2000 Sr Jyothi Fernandes, the Provincial Superior inaugurated the school building and Bishop Lawrence Pius, Auxiliary bishop of Madras-Mylapore Diocese blessed it2. Sr Leena Mascarenhas blessed the newly added block of the school on November 7, 2005. To the dismay and contentment of the Sisters, in 2006 the first batch of students passed out of the portals of the school with SSL Certificate.

At the request of the people, the higher secondary section is being initiated in the school. Its foundation was laid on September 13, 2010 by Sr Jyothi Fernandes for the additional block. It was inaugurated by Sr Jyothi Fernandes, the Provincial Superior, and blessed by Bishop Neethinathan, the bishop of Chingleput in 2012.

The Sisters endeavour to give the best of academics to children. The education activity proves itself in its expansion in strength of students as well as academic excellence. Besides, pastoral work also has been given equal importance. Animation for Marian Sodality, catechism, choir, altar servers has been done. Ursuline Franciscan Lay Association has been started in the parish comprising 12 members.

Diocese: Mysore

Pioneers: Sisters Beatrice D’Silva, Florence Sequeira, Bridgit Mary and Milburga Cunha

When the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters arrived at Jompanahalli on May 21, 1971, they witnessed all around an un-mitigated impoverishment, including spiritual. The place was located forty kilometres away from the city of Mysore. Towards the northern direction of Jompanahalli lay a habitat of migrants;  they originated from villages of Oddaradoddi, Martalli, Chandihatti etc.

Mgr Fr Cappel MEP, France, who was the parish priest at St Teresa’s Church at Mysore South, took up the charge of the development of people of Jompanahalli, and approached the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters to assist him in his endeavour. Even though a clear-cut ministry was not assigned to the Sisters, they took upon themselves educational and socio-medical assignments. Having lived in the sacristy of the parish, Sr Florence took up the administration of the diocesan school; Sr Beatrice D’Silva, being a nurse attended to the medical needs of people both by treating them in their ailments and imparting health awareness programmes; Sisters Brigit Mary and Milburga Cunha assisted both in the school as well as in the socio-medical field. Giving the people a listening ear, guiding them in their moral living and catechising were the chief exercises of the Sisters.

In order to perform effectively their formidable task, the Sisters were gifted eight acres of land; to these three more were added by purchase. On March 16, 1974, the Kamala Nivas Convent was inaugurated. It was renovated in 2009. A medical centre was erected in 1990 with the financial assistance of KRF Germany. The agency financed a vehicle in view of attending to the health requirements of people in interior villages of Jompanahalli as well as surrounding villages. A bus commutes to the village thanks to the efforts of Fr S D Joseph, the then parish priest. The Shanthi Kannada Medium School has been upgraded to class VII.

The Sisters have been striving strenuously to meet the apostolic demands. Educating people on prevention of diseases, empowerment of women, eradication of illiteracy, annihilation of superstitious beliefs have been their chief tasks ever since Kamala Nivas was started. The Sisters have been carrying on these assignments in coordination with the Mahila Sanghas (women’s groups) on the one hand and on the other through the projects sanctioned by the Misereor (funding agency), Germany. They have been conducting awareness programmes regarding health, hygiene and social evils through the media of street theatre, an effective mode of communication in rural areas.

The health centre has been a boon to the village. Sr Gertrude D’Souza has been trying hard to secure the medical facility schemes for the people guaranteed by the government. The widows and the aged of Jompanahalli receive pension because of her efforts. The Sisters continue to attend to the socio-spiritual and psychological needs of people. Eco-friendly programmes are being conducted regularly; rain water harvesting has been a specific feature of the programme.

The people value the presence of the Sisters at Jompanahalli. The celebration of the golden jubilee of Sr Rosalia Lobo on April 28, 1995 by the people was truly a sign of their appreciation of the presence and work of the Sisters. In their own words, Sr Rosalia Lobo has been the heartbeat of Jompanahalli – her simplicity, humility, prayerfulness, faith, love for people – all of which they experienced during her visit to their family. Above all her effort in the formation of their faith had been immense.

The Sisters find Jompanahalli a place, to date, to experience the poor and crucified Jesus. The people challenge the Sisters constantly to renew their commitment among the poorest of the poor.

Diocese: Mysore

Pioneers: Sisters Jessy D’Souza and Gracilda Dias

Kripanjali came into existence as early as 1995 when two Sisters Jessy D’Souza and Gracilda Dias (1988-1992), and Sisters Mariola Picardo and Philomena T V (1992-95) began commuting on daily basis to Padukote and its surrounding villages, while residing at Shanthipura, Muddanahalli. The key objective of the presence of the Sisters at Padukote, a rather underdeveloped village is faith formation as well as socio-political uplift of people. In 1995, the Sisters Mariola Picardo and Philomena T V resided in the village in a community hall in view of getting a feel of the situation of people. On June 6, 2008 the community of Sisters who were already residing in the new convent built in 2007 was canonically erected. It was named Kripanjali.

The Sisters involved themselves in pastoral activities such as preparing the people for the reception of the sacraments and leading singing during liturgical activities. The apostolate has been carried on to date. In order to empower the people socio- economically, the Sisters chose the technique of conscientization. Currently, they organize training programmes for self-help groups that are formed already; they also organize formal as well as non-formal education activities to children and adults. Currently these programmes are being conducted in two talukas, namely, Hunsur and HD Kote.

Kripanjali does not own a school of its own; the Sisters do not teach in any school either. However, having realized the fact that education is a significant force in socio-economic development, the Sisters coach slow-learning children studying in government school. They encourage every child to complete basic education; in view of this, they admitted children to Open Schools. Recognizing the involvement of SG (Shanthi Gramabhivruddhi Kendra) Kendra in educational activities, it has been selected to evaluate Parihar Bhodane, a government- enabled education programme for fifty schools in Hunsur taluk. Since 2000, the Centre is taking care of the Rural Initiative Programme of the government in ten government administered schools. Their involvement in conjunction with the involvement of people in educational activities has enabled the upgradation of the Padukote Primary School from Primary to Secondary in 2006. Besides, the school building has been reconstructed; the school owns a spacious playground.

The Sisters carry on their pastoral apostolate with commitment. Padukote as a substation came under the jurisdiction of St Mary’s Church, HD Kote, and under St Paul the Hermit Church, Jompanahalli. In 2001, Padukote received a church building. People of other faiths too use the House of Prayer. Currently, Padukote is a substation of St James Church, Shanthipura. The Sisters have been striving for the formation of faith of the people. They teach catechism, prepare children for the reception of the sacraments, accompany the people in liturgical and para-liturgical activities, pray Rosary in families.

Health apostolate is given due importance at Padukote. In 2000 a dispensary was put up in a plot of land offered by the Diocese of Mysore. Fr Patrick Langue and the group of students studying in France have been instrumental in erecting the structure named St Antony Health Centre. Bishop Thomas A Vazhapilly blessed it on May 25, 2003. Several people benefit from the Centre. It offers preventive and promotive measures of health.

A significant aspect of health apostolate of the Sisters at Padukote is the promotion of herbal medicine. The Sisters have trained health workers from sixty villages who promote health of their own village as well of their neighbouring villages. This project has been extended to six years from 2002 to 2009. Each health worker has been fostering herbal garden in his/her home. Exposure programmes are organized in villages regarding herbal health care; they succeed in enlightening people on alternative methods of health care.

Besides the above-noted activities, the Sisters train youth and women in professional carriers such as knitting, tailoring, electricity, repair of electronic gadgets, preparing incense sticks, skills in leadership and awareness in legal aid. A group of committed animators who upgrade their skills regularly undertakes these programmes. These programmes have enabled a good number of youth and women to be self-sufficient economically.  

The good work of the Sisters has generated a buzz in and around Padukote. Representatives of several organizations visit the Centre; the novices of the Province spend a substantial amount of time in the villages of Padukote and of course, people from villages have recourse of the Sisters in times of ill-health and of trouble. Being true to the name Kripanjali – ‘place of tender hospitality’ – the Sisters at Padukote strive to be true witnesses to the tender care of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Diocese : Chikmagalur

Pioneers: Sisters Lilly Rodrigues, Gratia Pinto, Mildred Crasta

The Sisters rendering their service through six establishments of the Congregation in the district of Chikmagalur –    Assisi Convent at Tirthahalli (1956), St Joseph Convent at Koppa (1958), Sacred Heart Convent at Hirebile (1960), Nirmala Convent at Balehonnur (1962), Christa Jyothi Convent at Jogfalls (1965), and Christa Prabha Convent at Jayapura (1973) – have been facing a twofold problem. The first difficulty is related to the geographical distance lying between these houses and the administrative unit of the Congregation/Province, which created a sense of ‘being secluded’ in the Sisters. The second hitch concerns the hassles the Sisters had to undergo during their trip to the headquarters on account of civil and educational purposes; they had to take recourse of the generosity of people at the area, which was not always reasonable.

As a result of the decision of the Mysore Province Chapter, the first concern was addressed in 2008 by forming the Chikmagalur Region which consisted of the six above-noted houses. The second issue was settled by setting up a transit house at Chikmagalur in 2011. This section offers details regarding the transit house. Larissa meaning ‘cheerful’ or ‘light-hearted’ is the name assigned to the transit house. The house has been rented from Mr Lawrence Lobo who resides in Mumbai. The owner of the house handed over the house to the Sisters on 29, December 2010 at Chikmagalur depositing Rs 30,000/- and Rs 3,000/- as the monthly rent. Sr Irene Brian D’Souza has been instrumental in procuring the rented house. Larissa has been furnished by the articles secured from the Giri Jyothi Convent at Kudremukh as it was closed down due to closure of the Iron Ore Mining Company   at   Kudremukh.   Sr   Jyothi   Fernandes,   Provincial Superior inaugurated the house and Bishop Antony Swamy of Chikmagalur Diocese blessed it on February 2, 2011.

The Capuchin Friars working in the area have offered to the Sisters a teaching post at their Infant Jesus School. Hence, from June 2011 onwards a Sister teaches in the School. The Sisters are involved in pastoral ministry as well. They visit families; the Catholics are assisted in their faith formation. Above all, the Sisters at Larissa fulfil diligently and joyfully the charge of providing a transit to the Sisters arriving from the outposts of the Delegation in discharging their responsibilities at the civil and educational administrative units in Chikmagalur. They no more feel excluded but rather feel included and loved too….

Chikmagalur literally means ‘the town of the younger daughter’. The town is said to have been gifted to Rukmangada by her father, the legendary chief of Sakrepatna. This portrays the significance accorded to female members of the family. We wish that the Sisters rendering their service at Larissa in Chikmagalur offer ‘cheerful’ service not merely to their fellow Sisters but to people of the area and women in particular who bear silently the torment of domestic violence.

Diocese: Mysore

Pioneers: Sisters Alphonsa Fernandes, Asha Pannekar, Vanitha Teena D’Souza and Diana Rego

Mysore Province had to go a long way to claim a structure as its official administrative unit – Provincial House. Maria Niketan, Bogadi had efficiently shouldered the responsibilities of a Provincial house from 1998 until 2003 (1992-1997 it was Regional house). It has to be admitted that organizing activities such as administration and formation programmes of the Province, running a school and dispensary, and managing a religious community – all within a site of 6.38 acres of land can be sometimes taxing. Moreover, a growing institution like the Mysore Province demands a composed atmosphere, which facilitates governance with right discernment. In order to ensure that tranquillity, Maria Kripa was brought into being on April 5, 2003.

On November 8, 2001 the Province bought a readymade structure measuring 20“x 70“square feet at Puthali Park, Mysore. It was registered in the name of the President, Ursuline Franciscan Society, Mysore®, represented by Sr Jyothi Fernandes, the Provincial Superior. Fr Lawrence D’Mello OCD (Provincial Superior) was instrumental in finding the place. It was blessed on December 11, 2001 by Fr Edwin Colaco OFM Cap. Sisters Alphonsa Fernandes, Asha Pannekar, Vanitha Teena D’Souza and Diana Rego were the pioneers of this house.

On April 5, 2003 the house was erected as the Provincial House; it was named Maria Kripa. Sr Jyothi Fernandes inaugurated the house and Bishop Thomas Antony Vazhapilly blessed it. Sr Angeline Sequeira, the Councillor General for land and building read the Decree of Erection on behalf of the Superior General, Sr Edilburga Monteiro. The new Provincialate had its first meeting on April 6, 2003 headed by Sr Jyothi Fernandes along with the Provincial Team – Sisters Leena Mascarenhas, Lily Fernandes, Emily D’Souza and Apoline Cordeiro. The house was officially occupied by the Provincial team on May 1, 2003. Sisters Cressy D’Souza, Violet Pinto, Genevive Pinto and Vanitha Teena D’Souza formed part of the Maria Kripa community assisting the administration team. The succeeding Provincial teams have been residing in the house along with the assisting Sisters. Amazingly, during the period of 2003 and 2013 Maria Kripa has welcomed four Provincial Superiors!

As Maria Kripa is on the outskirts of the city of Mysore, the Sisters join the Apostolic Carmel Sisters for Eucharistic celebration at St Joseph Convent, Bannimantap. The Capuchin Friars and diocesan priests celebrate Eucharist in the chapel of Maria Kripa on weekly basis and on special occasions. No doubt, Maria Kripa is an administrative unit of the Province. However, the Sisters have not sidelined the charism of the Congregation. They catechize at St Jude Thaddeus parish, BM Shree Nagar, Mysore and Virgin of the Poor parish, Bannimantap, Mysore. The earnest prayer of all the Sisters is that all those who reside at Maria Kripa represent good governance to those within and be Christ bearers to those without with the aid of our Heavenly Mother.

Diocese: Mysore

Pioneers: Sisters Gemma Pinto and Colette Vas

As has been noted already, most of the houses of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters in the province of Mysore are based in rural areas. The Sisters have been on the lookout to establish a house in the vicinity of the city of Mysore which would serve as a transit house as well as an administrative base of the Province. However, they had to be satisfied with yet another rural area – Bogadi. Bogadi is a village of Mysore Taluk in Mysore District of Karnataka State. It belongs to Mysore Division. It is located six kms towards west from the district headquarters of Mysore. The land comprising a total six acres and thirty eight guntas was bought by Sr Severine Barrows, Superior of St Joseph’s Convent, Hunsur. The Capuchin Friars of Kripalya were a great help and inspiration in the process of buying the land and taking up apostolic activities. Thanks are due to Capuchin Friars for offering spiritual service to the formees and Sisters.

Maria Niketan, Bogadi is a Convent very dear to every Sister in the Province. Being one of the oldest and spacious houses within the city limits of Mysore it accommodates Sisters who visit Mysore on various occasions. It is the Mother House of the Province where most of the spiritual activities, seminars and celebrations of the Province are held. The main purpose and vision of having this house is to educate the poor, to provide health care to the people as well as to organize the religious formation of the candidates. The canonical erection of the new community was on June 20, 1985. Sisters Gemma Pinto and Collette Vas were the pioneers who resided there in the small farm house which came with the property.

As there were a number of convents established in the Mysore, Chikmagalur and Shimoga Dioceses, there was a great need to have the headquarters for networking their services and for better functioning. The first East Karnataka Regional House was inaugurated on October 20, 1992 and Sr Gertrude D’Sa was the first Regional Superior who was succeeded by Sr Irene D’Souza and Sr Jyothi Fernandes respectively. Subsequently, this house was made Provincial House for better administration. In 2003 the Province administration was shifted to Tilak Nagar, Mysore.

Maria Niketan has secured under her wings various formation programmes of the Province such as candidacy programme (1992-1995) and programme of novices (1995-1997). Sr Juliana Pinto was the first Candidate Directress and Sr Severine Crasta the first Novice Directress. On January 3, 1998 the novitiate programme was shifted to a separate block constructed for the purpose in the same campus. Underdeveloped surroundings of Bogadi have proved themselves a good ground for the formees to do fruitful ministry. Maria Niketan has been a beneficiary of the intercession of the Congregation’s deceased members. Sr Redempta Francis, a Sri Lankan had worked as a committed missionary at Doddagajanur for 32 years. Now she lies buried at Maria Niketan following her death on April 8, 2002. She heads the long list of the Province’s stalwarts who have come or will come to rest at this spot. Sr Collette suffering from cancer, shifted from Kengeri to Maria Niketan breathed her last on March 9, 2003. Sr Rosalia who expired at Jompanahalli on March 28, 2004, Sr Winnifred Pinto suffering from cancer who flew to heaven on June 17, 2004, Sr Frances D’Souza who succumbed to cardiac arrest on December 30, 2004 at her residence in Goa, gone there for vacation, Sr Wenscy D’Souza who passed away on May 19, 2009 at Mission Hospital; Mysore, Sr Jude D’Souza who died on January 15, 2011, Sr Severine Barrows on October 7, 2011, and Sr Raphael Pinto September 7, 2012 have been also buried at Maria Niketan.

On the occasion of the feast of Maria Niketan on December 8, 2001, a grotto was inugurated in honour of our Mother. She seems to be beckoning everyone who comes in to imitate her Son Jesus. A number of events must be recorded in the annals of Maria Niketan: The Kannada medium school started in 1988 was upgraded to high school in 2002. On April 25, 2006 Sisters Fridesville Menezes, Blean Costa, Wenscy D’Souza and on May 20, 2008 Sisters Severine Barrows, Raphael Pinto, Placid Saldanha, Aloysia D’Souza, Jacintha Pinto and Beatrice D’Silva celebrated the golden jubilee of their religious profession. On November 30, 2006 the Chief Minister of Karnataka Mr Kumarswamy paid a visit to Maria Niketan. On September 2, 2009 Maria Niketan Higher Primary School obtained the benefit of government grant-in-aid. The hard work of Sisters Flavia Fernandes and Pushpa D’Souza is worth more than a passing mention in this regard. The documents related to the land of Maria Niketan were obtained on September 4, 2009; the Province is indebted to Sr Olinda and her team for their strenuous efforts. On December 8, 2010 Maria Niketan celebrated its silver jubilee.

Maria Niketan Health Centre was opened in June, 1991. Sr Irene  Veigas  was  appointed  person  in  charge  of  the  Health Centre. Maria Niketan Community Health Centre, which is situated in the rural settings in the most backward area of Mysore District takes care of the patients, especially women and children who come to the Centre with common ailments and also provides gynaecological care. Besides, regular village visits have been carried on to educate the villagers about hygiene, organized health camps and medical check-ups. Now in keeping with the government rules the Health Centre cannot run without a registered Doctor. The Maria Niketan Health Centre has been officially closed in 2012 except RNTCP (Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme).

Until 2000 the Maria Niketan Community belonged to Perpetual Succour Church, Kuvempunagar which is 9 kms from Bogadi. Since the Sisters found it difficult to attend to any parish activities at Kuvempunagar, they started attending Sunday Mass either at Kripalya (Capuchin Friary) or Cloistered Convent. In 2000 a new temporary church building was constructed at Bogadi and dedicated to St Peter the Apostle. This new Church was blessed on February 16, 2009 by Pedro López Quintana, Nuncio of India. With the new Church at Bogadi, the Sisters have been engaged in catechizing, preparing First Communicants and altar servers, attending parish council meetings and activities, maintenance of the church and sacristy, house visits and prayers in the families and visit to the sick.

Diocese: Bangalore

Pioneers: Sisters Fridesville Menezes, Gemma Pinto and Carmine D’Souza

Maria Nilaya, the abode of our Heavenly Mother, was started at the initiative of the Superior General Sr Genevieve Castelino (purchasing the land), Sr Gemma Pinto (utilizing the land for cultivation), Sr Fridesville Menezes (tailoring and pastoral apostolate) and Sr Carmine D’Souza (initiating the medical apostolate). This enterprise spread through a period of twenty-one years, namely, 1967 to 1988. Maria Nilaya is situated in Gollarahatti. The hamlet derives its name from the livestock the people reared for their livelihood. As such, the region was filthy and therefore unhygienic. Under- development or absence of growth has been the characteristic feature of the village. The Sisters endeavoured to realize holistic development of the locality. They paid attention to their physical health; they attempted to enable the women to be economically self-sufficient, they guided them spiritually – the shrine of our Mother installed at Maria Nilaya in 1988 evidences this fact. They were not merely preachers; they were also ‘doers’ – by means of coconut plantation, sericulture and agriculture within the convent premises; they encouraged the people to adopt alternative means of livelihood.

By 1989, the face of Gollarahatti had been changing. To indicate the change, the area was christened Gnanbharathi Layout, all thanks to the good things that happened to the people because of the presence of the Sisters.

Quite a few significant events have occurred at Maria Nilaya in recent past. The house was canonically erected on June 1, 1996. A new convent building was inaugurated and blessed on September 19, 2006. The Gnanabodhini High School shifted to the premises of Maria Nilaya in 1995 celebrated its silver jubilee on December 15, 2010. An auditorium was added to the existing building of the High School on June 4, 2007.

The Sisters are involved in the formation of faith of people. The vicinity of our Gnanabodhini High School had been a secluded area, with very few houses and very little access of transport. The existence of the school has brought a lot of difference. Human population is on the increase and it benefits from the education imparted in the school.

Occasionally and on weekends, the Sisters make it a point to visit the families of the students, also the sick, aged and distressed, and pray with them and for them. Praying of the Rosary and Novenas and prayers are held at the Shrine of Our Lady in which many people of the neighbourhood and the nearby villages participate irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, social status and language. People are encouraged and they do make time to come and pray at the Shrine. Sisters are involved in teaching catechism at St Francis of Assisi church which was established in 2002.

Diocese: Mysore

Pioneers: Sisters Irene Leena Pais and Joyceline D’Souza

In early 1990s during the administration term of Sr Edilburga Monteiro as the Superior General, the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation had assumed the task of a methodical decentralization – in administration and in formation in the Congregation. Empowering its members by way of academic training in diverse fields and in higher studies was a specific objective of this endeavour. 

Accordingly, the East Karnataka Region was instructed to set apart a house for student candidates as well as for student Sisters. A rise in number of candidates to the Congregation was an added reason for this initiative. On August 15, 1994 a readymade house and an adjacent vacant site was bought at Udayagiri from the Missionaries of Charity Brothers. Corresponding to its functioning, it was named Maria Vidya Nivas. Until then the students had been residing in various communities which caused undue inconvenience to their study programme as well as to their formation. As presumed, the enterprise proved beneficial to student candidates and Sisters. Maria Vidya Nivas functioned as a sub-community of Maria Niketan of Bogadi until it was canonically erected as a Community, on December 13, 2001 by Sr Jyothi Fernandes, Provincial Superior of Mysore Province.

Due to increase in number of student candidates, a first floor was added to the existing building that now serves as a dormitory. Fr Edwin Colaco OFM Cap blessed it on October 6, 1999. In order to procure sufficient space for study, a new building was constructed in the vacant site adjacent to the Convent. Fr Bernard Rodrigues SVD, parish priest of the church of Blessed Teresa of Kolkata, Rajeev Nagar, blessed it and Sr Leena Mascarenhas, the Provincial Superior of Mysore Province inaugurated it on February 9, 2006.

The house has been fulfilling its mandate devotedly. One hundred and thirty one student candidates have passed the portals of MVN from 1994 to 2013 to the next stage of formation. Many a well known study institution such as St Philomena College, Marimallappa College, Mahajana College, Teresian College, and Jagadhamba Pre-Primary Teachers’ Training Centre, Mysore has been their alma mater for two years. Most of the candidates excelled in extra-curricular activities, proofs of which are displayed inside the showcases of Maria Vidya Nivas.

The students alongside their academic curricula reach out to inmates at Missionaries of Charity Brothers and Home for the Aged at Gandhinagar. The centre for destitutes managed by the Missionaries of Charity Brothers offers ample opportunity to the young minds to remain rooted in the life-giving work of their Master whom they intend to choose and follow. On weekends and holidays the students visit neighbouring families and the homes for the aged in the vicinity. They also participate actively in the liturgical and apostolic activities of the parish church. Catechizing, family visits and prison ministry are regular exercises of the Sisters of the Maria Vidya Nivas Community.

From June 1, 2013 the student candidates have been shifted to Deepanjali for education. The Chetana Counselling Centre which was in a rented house (2010-2013) at Karunapura near FTS Circle, Mysore was shifted to Maria Vidya Nivas. Sr Olinda Sequeira carries on the Counselling activity and Sr Clotty Olivera functions from here as Coordinator of Ursuline Franciscan Lay Association.

Diocese: Mysore

Pioneers: Sisters Jacinta Pinto, Jaya Joseph and Mary Reg

The Convent is located to the west of Chamarajanagar Taluk. Bordering on the taluk to south are Kerala and Tamil Nadu States. To the north is Nanjangud Taluk of Mysore District. To the east is Chamarajanagar Taluk. To the west of this Taluk is HD Kote Taluk of Mysore District. Gundlupet town is  the taluk headquarters. The historical name of the Gundlupet town was Vijaypura. It is located on the banks of Gundlu River and situated on the Mysore-Udhagamandalam (Ooty) National Highway. It is at a distance of 61 kms to the south of Mysore  city.

The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters chose a place of such immense significance at the invitation of Bishop Mathias Fernandes of Mysore Diocese. Sisters Jacinta Pinto, Jaya Joseph, and Mary Rego arrived at Gundlupet on May 27, 1975. They had to usher in their apostolic life through a threefold task: educational, pastoral and socio-developmental.

The Nirmala Ashram Higher Primary School established in the same year as their arrival at Gundlupet had to beg for a viable number of pupils at the beginning. Today it can count 450, varying from LKG to class VII. The school occupies an esteemed status. The celebration of its foundation of 25 years earlier on February 20, 2000 has enhanced its fame further. Amidst success, the focus of the Sisters has not been shifted. They continue to admit destitute children to the school. They have admitted 90 destitute children from the Children’s Home of the ‘Christian Missionary Service’ (Christian Denomination). Besides, they coach the slow-learning students before and after school hours. In the year 2012 English Medium section of Class VI has been commenced with due permission from the department.

Sisters contribute to the life of the Church through their life witness and mission. They collaborate actively in all the liturgical, para-liturgical and pastoral activities. They teach catechism in the parish, prepare children and adults for the reception of sacraments, train the liturgical choir and assist in Sunday liturgy. In 2005, the Sisters commenced the ‘Lay Leaders’ Association’ in the parish. The association consists of twelve Catholic women who take leadership role in the parish church. Participating and guiding SCC and BCCs is a regular feature of the pastoral exercise of the Sisters.

In order to reach out effectively to the marginalized, the Sisters set off Nirmala Seva Kendra in 2005. With women and children as their focus, the Sisters reach out to all marginalized sections of society through the centre. Programmes concerning awareness of the rights of women, formation of Self Help Groups, empowerment of women through savings and obtaining government loans and other facilities, vocational guidance and skill training through tailoring for girls and women and activities related to women empowerment and Child Sponsorship Programme are conducted at the centre by the Sisters.

After 32 years, i.e., in 2007 the convent building was renovated and extended. It was inaugurated on September 1, 2008 by Sr Olinda Sequeira, the Provincial Superior. The Sisters have been toiling tirelessly for 38 years in the pursuit of fulfilling their objective of bringing the Kingdom of God to people. Much has been achieved and much more is yet to be achieved.

Diocese: Chikmagalur

Pioneers: Sisters Frances D’Souza, Laureen Vas, Magdelene Souza, Speciosa Alvares and Joanina Patrao.

The life lived by the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters at Balehonnur brings to the fore a string of adversities they had to endure in their task of evangelization, i.e., brining the Good News right from the inception of the Convent. They had to bring the Good News in particular to the suffering and the poor by being poor themselves and through enduring endless suffering.

Balehonnur is a town, situated in the Western Ghats, South- East of Sringeri. Alongside its rich topography and economy it also sustained its social and religious ills. In order to transform the situation in a way that is life-promoting, Fr Nelson Vaz the parish priest of Our Lady of Victory church invited the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters to Balehonnur. Their chief focus was to be educators and healers.

Having resided in the guest house of the parish for a short time, the Sisters put up a modest residence of their own in 1970 in the one-acre plot of land provided to them by Chikmagalur Diocese. Despite resistance from a section of people, the Sisters started a school in the convent building. Opposition surfaced again at the development of the school to four classes within a period of two years; the school was on the verge of being closed. Sr Eliza Pinto saved the situation due mainly to the witness the Sisters had already displayed.

As the number of students was increasing steadily, a modest structure was felt to be the need of the hour. The school building was constructed in the plot offered to the Sisters. The construction was completed in 1963. The Sisters had to fight tooth and nail to acquire legally the gifted plot of land. It was a prolonged struggle lasting until 1970. In the meantime, the convent building was constructed; a portion of it was brought down by the incessant rains. After four years of the commencement of the work of the convent, it was inaugurated on April 8, 1970. Then the school was upgraded to higher primary section.

The school building called for a further extension in early 2000s as the number of students kept increasing considerably. On June 27, 2002 foundation stone of the school building was blessed by Fr J D’ Costa and Sr Florine Menezes laid it. A group of French students from Paris arrived in Balehonnur and assisted in the construction of the building. Rotary club of Balehonnur made a handsome donation of Rs 18,000/- for supplying drinking water and to construct toilets. On March 14, 2001 the Nirmala Convent School celebrated the completion of forty years of the challenging life of the Sisters at Balehonnur. As the convent building was in a dilapidated condition by then, a new building was constructed and inaugurated on May 24, 2013

In order to facilitate better administration in the Province, Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts were formed into a region christened Chikmagalur Region on April 30, 2008. Nirmala Convent was chosen to be the Regional House. Sr Lilly Rodrigues as the Regional Superior served the Sisters along with Sisters Theresiamma PJ and Olivia Miranda as Councillors. The appointment came from Sr Doreen D’Souza, the Superior General, and they pronounced their oath in the presence of Sr Olinda Sequeira, the Provincial Superior. The twelfth General Chapter of the Congregation renamed the Region as Delegation and the Regional Superior as Delegate Superior. The Delegate Superior continues to reside at Nirmala Convent, Balehonnur.

In 2007, the Sisters started an English medium school at Balehonnur. Unlike their former years at Balehonnur, the Sisters enjoy peace now and gain respect from people and officials alike.

Alongside teaching in the school, the Sisters fully involve themselves in pastoral activities. They animate youth, choir, sodality, Sunday Catechism and substation ministry at Kadabagere.