Our Founders

The Daughters of Mary was founded on 8th May 1938 at Marthandom, Kanyakumari District — the fruit of a missionary’s love for the poor.

Founder · 1903 – 1983

Monsignor Joseph Kuzhinjalil

The pioneer of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, His Grace the Venerable Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios, after the historic event of communion with the Universal Catholic Church in 1930, made an extensive appeal to the Syro-Malabar and Latin Catholic rites for clergy and religious to serve the spiritual needs of his people. Mar Ivanios visited St. Joseph’s Seminary, Aluva and requested the assistance of the future priests.

So, after his priestly ordination on 17th December 1933, the young, dedicated and zealous missionary Fr. Joseph Kuzhinjalil of the Archdiocese of Changanassery — born in the village of Pravithanam, Palai, in a traditional Syrian Christian family — was sent to the Archdiocese of Trivandrum, determined to carry out the mandate of the Divine Master to preach the Word of God to the poor and marginalised. He courageously left his hometown, family, friends, native culture and material belongings to serve the people of God of the newly-united Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

Among the poor of Marthandom

When he arrived in Trivandrum in 1934, Mar Ivanios sent him to Marthandom, the southern section of the Archdiocese, where there were no establishments or structures. Most people in the region were socially backward, unemployed, destitute and illiterate — many bound to local landlords and spending their meagre wages on black magic, hoping for protection from famine, drought, poverty and sickness.

Fr. Joseph lived in a small rented mud hut in the midst of the poor. On a rented bicycle he moved through village after village, visiting families, counselling and praying for the sick and suffering. People began to share their difficulties with him, and in return he shared his experience of faith.

The birth of a Congregation

Within a short span of time several hundred people received baptism, and spiritual centres were established in remote villages. Administering the sacraments and faith education to so many became impossible for one priest — and cultural barriers kept him from caring pastorally for women.

Moved by an inner inspiration to begin a women’s religious congregation to assist him in the Lord’s vineyard, he founded the missionary congregation of the DAUGHTERS OF MARY on 8th May 1938 at Marthandom, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.

In his old age he was a silent missionary, raised by the Church to the dignity of Monsignor in recognition of his missionary service. On 22nd August 1983 he celebrated three Divine Liturgies in different mission churches; early the next morning, Tuesday 23rd August 1983, he went peacefully to his eternal reward.

Message from the Founder

“Emptying and dedicating ourselves to God Almighty, let us do His Will. We, who have dedicated ourselves to God have nothing to fear when the Hands of our God is with us. Not only that, the joy of the Lord will be with us and our joy will be perfect. By always doing His Will, let us experience the peace and happiness which symbolise the eternal bliss to come. May the observance of these Rules help us experience the eternal happiness.”

Msgr. Joseph Kuzhinjalil

Marthandam · 12 August 1978

“And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we saw His glory” (Jn 1:14). “He went up the mountain and summoned those whom He wanted, and they came to Him that they might be with Him and He might send them forth to preach” (Mk 3:13–15).

Scripture · Identity, Charism, Mission, Vision

Co-Foundress · 1898 – 1985

Rev. Mother Mary Kallarackal

17th April 1898 – 30th July 1985

Rev. Mother Mary Kallarackal is honoured as the Co-Foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary. Together with Msgr. Joseph Kuzhinjalil she laid the foundations of the Congregation’s life of prayer, poverty and missionary service among the people.

Message from the Co-Foundress

“We, who have dedicated ourselves to Christ, who is the Truth, the Life, the Way and the Light, imbibing in ourselves that Life and Light, must go forth to the ways, byways and beaches, and enlighten those who are in darkness and in the shadow of death and lead them to the Truth and the Way of life and thus fill the House of the Lord. This is our duty. Let the Holy Rules help us to fulfil this duty.”

Mother Mary D.M.

Marthandam · 12 September 1978

Our Inspirations