MSMHC PROVINCES
LITTLE FLOWER PROVINCE - BANGALORE
Owing to the administrative difficulties, St.Joseph’s Province Tezpur was divided into a Province and a Region. Thus Little Flower Region of the MSMHC was carved out from the Province of Tezpur and canonically erected on 13th December 1996, with Sr.Ivy Joseph as it’s Regional Superior and Sr.Alma Joseph as the Asst. Regional. She along with her team members steered the Region from 1997 to 2002. The Region comprised of Communities in West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. At the creation of the region, there were 101 sisters in 19 communities. St. Joseph’s Convent, Emani, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh was kept as the temporary Regional House.
The inauguration of Little Flower Region was held on 24 February 1997 at St. Joseph’s Convent, Emani. Rt. Rev. Dr. Gali Bali, the Bishop of Guntur presided over the Eucharistic celebration. Mother Elizabeth Packumala installed Sr. Ivy Joseph as the first Regional Superior in the presence of Rt. Rev. Dr. Gali Bali, the Bishop of Guntur, Sr. Mary Sebastian, the General Councilor, Sr. Elsa Puthenpurackal, the provincial of Tezpur and Rev. Fr. Benjamin Puthetta, the Salesian Provincial of Hyderabad. A good number of sisters, fathers, friends and well wishers were present for the occasion.
The twin provinces Little Flower Province, Bangalore and Mary Immaculate Province, Calcutta came into existence on 9th December 2002 which were forked from Little flower Region. Sr. Bridget Jacob and Sr. Nancy Augustine were appointed as the maiden provincials of these newly erected provinces respectively. The Province comprising of four states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala) of South India in 2002, with 15 communities and 69 sisters has been on the path of a marvelous growth ever since its inception.
Now there are 65 finally professed and 27 temporarily professed active and vibrant members, who reach out to the poor and needy through 16 communities spread over the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala. Being the channels of God’s unfathomable love, we have launched ourselves into the mission of the congregation through pastoral activities, social apostolate, schools, orphanages, home for the aged, boardings etc.
On 11th February 2003, during the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. Mathew Maruvathinal SDB, the Salesian Provincial of Bangalore, Sr. Mary Thadavanal, the Superior General of the MSMHC installed Sr. Bridget Jacob as the first and incumbent Provincial of the newly erected province of Bangalore and entrusted her with the baton of animating the Province, at Pushpa Sadan, Kengeri, Bangalore, the cradle of the Province, the newly built Provincial House. Sr. Philomena Mathew, the Assistant General, Sr. Teresa George, the Bursar General, Sr. Ivy Joseph, the Regional Superior, a good number of priests, sisters, friends and well-wishers participated in the function. On the same day the provincial Councillors were also appointed to help the provincial in the administration of the province. Sr. Tessy Joseph, Sr. Alice Antony, Sr. Lisy George, Sr. Matilda Xaxa and Sr. Mercy Scaria were the members of the Provincial Council. With all the initial difficulties, the Provincial and her team with their dynamic leadership and undying zeal worked untiringly for the tremendous growth of the Province. During her tenure, on 24th May 2005, the Province began a new presence in Red Hills, Chennai in collaboration with the Salesians of Chennai Province. In the same year, on 5th June the province extended its service to Yadgir in North Karnataka along side with the Salesians of Bangalore Province. Due to financial constraints, the province was compelled to terminate its service at Pallivela, Andhra Pradesh, in 2005.
Soon after the General Chapter in January 2006, Sr. Bridget Jacob was re-appointed as the provincial of Little Flower Province. The members of the new provincial team are Sr. Tessy Joseph, Sr. Pushpa Surin, Sr. Alice George, Sr. Regi Chacko and Sr. Molly Mathew.
Sr. Alice Antony was re-appointed as the Provincial Bursar. The activities of the province were once again rejuvenated by the Provincial and her Council. On 4th November 2006, a new foundation was laid in KGF, Karnataka solely for the pastoral ministry. Two sisters were sent to Karunashreya, a center for terminal cancer patients, run by a trust in Bangalore. The province is now compelled to close down its’ another centre in Nallajerla, in May 2009.
FERRANDO PROVINCE - GUWAHATI
We, the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians are an international organization of women dedicated to the service of people, especially the less privileged and the marginalized of the society. True to our call as missionaries we aim at building the whole person enabling them to live with dignity and honour finding their rightful place in the society as well as in the life hereafter. The family being the nucleus of the society and woman taking the lead in making the home we focus on her holistic growth particularly paying attention to the formation of her mind and heart. Guided by the wisdom of our Founder we are engaged also in the care and formation of children. Our mission is realized through evangelization and catechesis, educational institutions, boarding houses, youth ministry, health centres, vocational training centres, centres for the differently abled and rendering adequate assistance to the young at risk. Having made substantial contribution towards the growth and development of the Church in North east India, and being aware of our universal commitment we continue spreading our wings to the rest of India and the world around. Our strong conviction to give the best we can for the world urges us to move on forward. Founded by Bishop Stephen Ferrando SDB, an Apostle of Christ from Italy to North East India of the twentieth century, we strive on to live the great missionary legacy passed on to us by our beloved Founder and Pioneers. This official website of our Congregation will give you some idea of our life and work. We are convinced of why we do what we do and the enormous good that can be done by our committed and collaborative efforts.
MARY IMMACULATE PROVINCE - KOLKATA
MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS PROVINCE - SHILLONG
A new life began to flow through the veins of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians after the memorable Fourth General Chapter, 1988. It was a turning point in the history of the Congregation as it brought out the decision of forming Provinces for better growth and administration. The Province of Mary Help of Christians, Shillong was canonically erected on 13th February 1988, with Rev. Sr. Teresa Varkey as its first Provincial Superior. St. Margaret’s Convent, “Peachlands” which is situated at Laitumkhrah in the city of Shillong is the Provincialate. The Province had at that time 23 centres sited in the States of Meghalaya, Assam and Mizoram and 129 members working in 4 Dioceses of North East.
ST. JOSEPH'S PROVINCE - TEZPUR
St. Joseph’s Province, Tezpur, came into existence on 13th February 1988, following the decision of the IV General Chapter of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC), held in January 1988. The Chapter resolved to divide the Congregation into three provinces, leading to the formal establishment of this new administrative unit. Sr. Mary Sebastian was appointed as the first Provincial Superior, supported by a council of five members.
The Provincial office and staff were initially housed at St. Mary’s Convent, Barpeta Road, a location that holds a special place in the history of the Congregation. St. Mary’s Convent, Barpeta Road, was the first house of the MSMHC, established on 15th October, 1954. At that time, Barpeta Road was a remote and underdeveloped village, with railways as the only mode of communication, located within walking distance.
St. Mary’s served as the Mother House, Generalate, Aspirantate, Postulantate, Novitiate, and the hub of all missionary activities of the Congregation. Despite the challenges of the early years, the house was known for its deep family spirit and communal unity.
In 1965, following the advice of Cardinal Knox, the Generalate and Novitiate were relocated to St. Margaret’s Convent, Shillong. The newly formed Barpeta Province – now known as St. Joseph’s Province, Tezpur – covered a vast geographical area. At the time of its establishment, as per the circular issued by Sr. Elizabeth Packumala, the then Mother General, on 13th February, 1988, the Province had 16 centers spread across 7 dioceses, and was home to 114 members.
SACRED HEART PROVINCE - TINSUKIA
The Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians emerged as a divine inspiration on October 24, 1942, in the northeastern soil of Guwahati, Assam, under the visionary guidance of Venerable Stephen Ferrando SDB. It has since flourished into six vibrant Provinces, complemented by one delegation and one sub-delegation, each illuminating the path of faith across different regions and countries.
Among these sacred branches stands the Province of Sacred Heart, Tinsukia, which was canonically consecrated on February 13, 1988, with the late Sister Tessy Sebastian as its first Provincial Superior. For twenty-three blessed years, St. Mary’s Convent, Dibrugarh, held the distinguished honor of serving as the Provincialate—a sanctuary of leadership and spiritual direction—before this sacred mantle was reverently transferred to Tinsukia.
The journey of the province was launched with 105 members and 13 communities in the states of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. Thirty seven years have gone by since that humble beginning, yet with the blessings of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the unfailing accompaniment of Mary help of Christians, today the Province stands strong and vibrant. Today, the Province has blossomed to 340 members, of whom many are dynamic, dedicated and talented. The elderly members dedicate their time in fervent prayer, interceding for the congregation, the Universal Church and humanity’s wellbeing across the globe.
Our apostolic footprint now encompasses 55 outposts of service, extending the compassionate embrace of Christ through three Archdioceses—Imphal, Nagpur, and Tellicherry—and five Dioceses—Amravati, Dibrugarh, Kuzhithrai, Kohima, and Miao. In each location, we continue to answer the divine call to serve both Church and humanity with renewed purpose and steadfast commitment.
As the congregation is fully mission oriented with mission Ad Gentes, we joyfully carry out the mission mandate of Jesus “Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to the whole creation” (Mk 16:15), through catechetical instruction, schools, boarding houses, dispensaries, vocational training centres, open schools for dropout youth etc. In the schools we integrate human and moral values through multiple channels like moral science classes, assembly talks, and curriculum activities, which create a more holistic learning environment. This harmonious approach creates learning environments where intellectual, spiritual, and ethical development flourish in symphony, preparing young hearts to become beacons of light in a world yearning for authentic witness.