Our History
From a single missionary’s dream at Marthandom in 1938 to a province of 156 sisters serving on three continents.
Born of the General Synaxis, 2002
According to the decision of the extraordinary General Synaxis assembled in March 2002, St. Joseph’s Province, Marthandom was restructured into two provinces — St. Joseph’s Province, Marthandom and Nirmala Province, Venniyoor — and a Vice-Province, Kristuraja Vice-Province in Punjab.
The new province was officially declared on 22nd August 2002 by Rev. Mother Felix DM, the Superior General, at the Generalate, Kudappanakkunnu.
The territory of Nirmala Province consists of the south region of Thiruvananthapuram District extending from the river Karamana to Kalaikkavila, the districts of Palakkad, Idukki and Ernakulam, and the mission areas of Andhra Pradesh. In time the province has also sent sisters to Bangalore, Germany and the United States.
Led by faithful shepherds
Nirmala Province began to develop and flourish under the leadership of its provincial superiors: Sr. Vimala DM (2002–2005), Sr. Mary Georgia DM (2005–2009), Sr. Udaya DM (2009–2014), Sr. Lydia DM (2014–2021), Sr. Karunya DM (2021–2024) and Sr. Francita Mathew DM (2024–2027).
See all administrationsMission · Vision · Charism
Mission
Our mission is to prepare the hearts of people to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour and to welcome non-Catholic brethren into full communion.
It is lived and expressed in a diversity of apostolates among the marginalised poor, especially women and children — through home visits, sacramental preparation, education, health care and social welfare activities.
Vision
The vision of the Congregation is to lead God’s people to the Kingdom of God through unity and freedom, characteristic of the Children of God.
Charism
In prayer before the Word, every Daughter of Mary is called to be a proclaimer of the Word Incarnate to the world.
Every member of the Congregation is called “to be pure and poor, to contemplate, witness and proclaim the Word Incarnate for the Kingdom of God.”
Sisters across eleven dioceses
Today 156 sisters render their service in the following dioceses in India and abroad.
| Diocese | Communities |
|---|---|
| Parassala | 14 |
| Muvattupuzha | 3 |
| Idukki | 2 |
| Kothamangalam | 2 |
| Pune – Khadki | 2 |
| Paderborn Germany | 2 |
| Trivandrum | 1 |
| Puthur | 1 |
| Speyer Germany | 1 |
| New York USA | 1 |
| Chicago (Atlanta) USA | 1 |
30 communities
At present Nirmala Province has houses in the following places:
Is the Lord calling you?
Young women who feel drawn to a life of prayer, simplicity and mission are warmly invited to “come and see” — candidates are received every June.