ESTABLISHED : 21 AUGUST 1956
BETHANY SISTERS' PROVINCIALATE, NALANCHIRA P.O., TRIVANDRUM - 695 015
TEL : 0471- 2530043, 2533695 (P); MOB: 9400275511, FAX: 2533243
E-Mail : bethanytvm25@gmail.com
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Imitation of Christ was founded in the year 1925 in the Jacobite Church by Archbishop Mar Ivanios of happy memory. The first house was started at Thiruvalla, Thirumoolapuram.When the founder Mar Ivanios became Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram, the house of Thiruvalla was closed down according to the decision of the General Chapter and all the sisters went over to Thiruvananthapuram where the Mother house was erected in 1936. A couple of months later, three sisters, were sent back to help His Excellency Mar Theophilos, the Bishop of Thiruvalla, in his diocese. Thus two diocesan congregations were formed. These congregations continued to grow independent of each other and established houses, schools and orphanges of their own until their re-unification in 1956.
In 1953, His Eminence Cardinal Tisserant visited these congregations. At the request of the Bethany Sisters, the congregation was elevated to the Pontifical status on August 6,1956. As, Rome demanded, the two branches of the congregation were united, as two provinces of the same order under one Superior General, maintaining its spiritual heritage and charism. Thus, on 21 August 1956, under the chairmanship of Rev. Fr.Placid Podippara, the delgate from the Apostolic Sea the Bethany sisters were gathered at Bethany Madhom Chengannur and as a result of the interventions and discussions all the members were convinced about the nature and identity of Bethany and need to have provinces for apostolic activities. Thus in the united assembly ofthe sisters of Bethany on August 21, 1956, unanimously proclaimed the erection of a province namely. Trivandrum Province and was erected on 21 August 1956. And on 22 August 1956 members of the province of Thiruvananthapuram unanimously elected Mother Basim SIC as the first Provincial Superior. Following are the early houses at the time of re-unification.
Bethany Madhom, Nangiarkulangara, 1931.
The first abode of the Bethany Sisters of the Thiruvananthapuram Province. The site of the convent was originally owned by the high caste Hindus as is evident from its name- ’Pottiparambu’. As it was an ideal location for a school, a school for the eduction of the girls of the locality was started under the title Bethany Balikamadhom School. One of the aspect of the charism of the Bethany Sisters namely the empowerment of women through education was realised even at its first venture.
Bethany Madhom, Nalanchira, 1936.
Established in 1936, Nalanchira Bethany Madhom has been the Provincial House of the Bethany Sisters of Trivandrum Province. The novitiate house of the province also is erected attached to the Provincial house. Besides it is the formation house for the Pre-novices-Aspirants and Postulants. The Junior Sisters studying in college also form part of the community. Also teaching sisters of different categories are residing here.The house runs St.Goretti’s L.P, U.P, H.S and Higher Secondary School. Our sisters are on the staff of the Mar Theophilus Training College and Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology.The old and sick sisters of the province also find a place of solace and serenity in the Provincial house as they rightly deserve the care and concern of all on the eve of their earthly sojourn. The children below poverty line are taken care of in the creche, located in the vicinity of the provincial house.
Bethany Hostel, Palayam, 1941.
Aim-To give accommodation to the college students and working women..
Bethany Madhom, Puthencavu, 1945.
The main activity of the sisters is education- A school was started with few girls in honour of St.Ann-its name being- St.Ann’s H.School, Puthencavu.
Bethany Madhom. Erezha, 1951.
It was very providential that a school run by the Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram at Erezha has been converted to a convent under the name Bethany Madhom, Erezha. Attached to it there started an Orphanage. The sisters were full time engaged in charitable service - the care and protection of the children.
Bethany Madhom, Kayamkulam, 1951.
A High School under the mangement of Chettikulangara, A.N.P.Nair was bought by Archboshop Mar Ivanios and was entrusted to the Bethany Sisters. As the school atmosphere was made tumultous by the then Headmistress, the sisters appointed in the school preferred to come from Bethany Madhom, Nangiarkulangara. Afterwards, when the situation came under control, a convent was built in the school campus and sisters shifted from Nangiarkulangara to Kayamkulam.
The Bethany Congregation set foot on firm grounds in Thiruvananthapuram, though it struggled hard at the early years of growth for existence and development. The elected governing body- the Provincial Chapter now called the Provincial Synaxis was actively engaged in executing its responsibility of governance and service. From 1956 there were 19 Provincial Synaxis convened. Until 1968, there were only three councillors in the provincial body. Since 1968, the number of councilors are stipulated as four and there is a secretary and procurator along with the councillors to assist the provincial superior in the administration of the province. The following are the names of the provincial body and the theme of each Synaxis up to 2010..
1956
It was concerned only for electing the new provincial Superior and her team.
Provincial Superior: Mother Basim
Councillors:Mother Denaha, Sr. Slomo
Procurator: Sr.H’feeta
1960
Different subject were discussed such as the necessity of having a Chapel, an old age home for the poor and other subjects for building up community life.
Provincial Superior:Mother Slomo
Councillors:Sr.H’nono, Mother Denaha,Sr. Philomina (Seretary)
Procurator: Sr Hanso
1962
Discussions were mainly on finding out income generating process and putting up school buildings in different places.
Provincial Superior: Mother Slomo
Councillors:Mother Denaha, Sr. Philomina (Secretary)
Procurator: Sr.Hanso
1965
The social impact of the presence of the Bethany in a place and deepening of the spirituality of sisters were subjects of discussion.
Provincial Superior: Mother Resma
Councillors: Mother Basim, Sr. Scholastica (Secretary)
Procurator: Sr. Hanso
1968
The main theme was about updating the life of the sisters taking into consideration the signs of the time.
Provincial Superior: Mother Maxa
Councillors: Mother Basim, Sr. Alphonsa, Sr. Rehmas, Sr. Philomina
Secretary: Sr. Resma
Procurator: Sr.Hanso
1971
Spiritual renovation of the community was the main theme. Liturgical life was highlighted.
Provincial Superior: Mother Slomo
Councillors:Sr.Philomina, Sr. Stansilaus, Sr. Alphonsa, Sr. Helena (Secretary) Procurator: Sr. Hanso
1974
Sense of equity and healthy personal relations between superiors and sisters and between sisters and sisters were discussed. The importance of the proclamation of the Kingdom of God was the main theme.
Provincial Superior: Mother Slomo
Councillors: Sr. Philomina, Sr. Helena (Secretary), Sr. Hadusa, Mother Salga Procurator: Sr. Hanso
1977
The witnessing value of our service and other subjects of community build up.
Provincial Superior: Mother Vijaya
Councillors: Sr. Rehmas, Sr. Slomo, Sr. Stansilaus (Secretary), Sr.Hadusa Procurator: Sr. Hanso
1980
The Charism of Bethany was the main theme. Also prayer, penance and simplicity of life were given importance.
Provincial Superior: Mother Vijaya
Councillors: Sr. Slomo, Sr. Rehmas, Sr. Stansilaus, Sr. Felicita
Secretary: Sr. Selka Procurator: Sr. Basilia
1983
Deepening of spiritual life of sisters and other matters regarding the signs of time.
Provincial Superior: Mother Felicita
Councillors: Sr. Vijaya, Sr. Hadusa, Sr. Selka (Secretary)
Procurator: Sr. Basilia
1986
The deepening of prayer life to enrich and enlighten the active life.
Provincial Superior: Mother Felicita
Councillors: Sr. Rehmas, Sr. Stansilaus, Sr.Scholastica, Sr. Selka(Secretary)
Procurator: Sr. Basilia
1989
The concept of the ”Imitation of Christ” to be followed closely in our prayer life and apostolate.
Provincial Superior: Mother Rehmas
Councillors: Sr. Alphonsa, Sr. Stansilaus, Sr. Macreena, Sr. Paschal (Secretary)
Procurator: Sr. Basilia
1992
Grow in the fullness of Christ in the spiritual and social melieu.
Provincial Superior: Mother Rehmas
Councillors: Sr.Alphonsa, Sr. Paschal(Secretary), Sr. Berchmans, Sr. Eymard
Procurator: Basilia
1995
Renewal of the life of dedication and its involvement in the modern world according to the signs of time
Provincial Superior: Mother Alphonsa
Councillors: Sr. Rehmas, Sr. Karunya Sr. Berchmans, Sr. Eymard
Secretary: Sr. Paschal
Procurator: Sr. Ashish
1998
First synaxis after bifurcation. The contribution of Thiruvananthapuram Province to the spiritual growth of Bethany. Deepening of liturgical life. Celebrating the Great Jubilee 2000 and the Platinum Jubilee of Bethany
Provincial Superior: Mother Rehmas
Councillors: Sr. Lumina, Sr. Karunya, Sr. Ursala, Sr.Ardra
Secretary: Sr. Dhanya Procurator: Sr. Ashish
2001
Life of communion, participation, in the Trinitarian communion. The solidarity of the youth and their sense of values.
Provincial Superior: Mother Lumina
Councillors: Sr. Rehmas, Sr.Ursala, Sr. Edith, Sr. Berchumans
Secretary: Sr. Dhanya Procurator: Sr. Ashish
2004
Biblical impact on the life of dedication. The challenges of modern life.
Provincial Superior: Mother Lumina
Councillors: Sr. Nairmalya, Sr. Edith, Sr. Prakash, Sr. Berchmans
Secretary: Sr. Dhanya
Procurator: Sr. Mangala
2007
As the Sisters of the Imitation of Christ inspired by the charism of Bethany to grow in the fulness of Christ in union with the life of the Church.
Provincial Superior: Mother Ardra
Councillors: Sr. Lumina, Sr. Ashish, Sr. Damascene, Sr. Namitha
Secretary: Sr. Selka
Procurator: Sr. Mangala
2010
Promotion of the contemplative dimension of our religious life(Holy Rule art.165,167). Building up of the religious communities in faith, hope and charity and evangelization of the families. Inflammed in spirit by prayer and meditation, carry the light of the Word of God to the interior of the family background and to the social surroundings at large.
ProvincialSuperior: Mother Ardra
Councillors: Sr. Ashish, Sr. Rehmas, Sr. Damascene, Sr. Felicia
Secretary: Sr. Mahima
Procurator: Sr. Mangala
The General Synaxis in 1998 decided to bifurcate Thiruvananthapuram Province into two provinces ie; Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta. After all the preceeding procedures Pathanamthitta Province came into being on April 15, 1998.
The first Synaxis of Thiruvananthapuram Province after bifurcation was convened on 18th June, 1998. Even after the bifurcation, Nalanchira Madhom continued to be the Provincial House of Thiruvanathapuram Province having a total number of 24 houses and 6 institutions.
Recently, a branch house is transformed into a mission house to carry out the Good News from house to house. The perpetual adoration chapel blessed recently in Nalanchira Provincial House is a power house of the congregation and of the locality. Thus,’’the contemplative in action” is found meaning in the prayerful atmosphere of manifold activities-still in activity and vibrant in repose as the great saying goes. At present there are 40 houses and 12 institutions. The details are given below.
The Apostolic Activities for the fulfilment of dedication and to enrich the society we belong to.
Educational Institutions
Education is one of the main aposolate of the Bethany Sisters. We have our own schools where some of our sisters are serving.
1.St. Rita’s U P School, Aruviode(Aided. Our first education endeavour in this field.)
2. St.Mary’s GHS, Kayamkulam(Aided).
3. St.Goretti’s GHS, Nalanchira(Aided).
4.Little Flower High School, Kundara
5. Pre-Nursery School, Mukhathala.
6. Infant Jesus Central School, Kuravankonam.
7. Amala Nursery School, Kuriode
8. Karuvelil L.P School, Karuvelil
9. Amalgiri Bethany Vidyalaya, Kulappada
10.Bethany Vidyalaya E.M Senior Secondary School, Durg-Bhilai
11.Bethany L.P School, Kulathupuzha
12.Bethany Nursery School, Nagarcoil
13.Little Flower Nursery School, Madras.
14.Mar Ivanios Bethany CBSE School, Ambilikonam
15.Mar Ivamios L.P School, Kallumala
16.Santhidam Bethania Nursery School, Kanyakumari
17.St.Antony’s E.M School, Veliyam
18.St. Joseph’s Bethany High School, Ambernath- Mumbai
19.St. Mary’s Bethany Central School, Valakom
20.St.Mary’s Bethany Convent Vidyalaya, Secundrabad
21.St.Mary’s Bethany E.M School, Punalur
22.St.Mary’s Bethany Public School, Kayamkulam.
23.St.Teresa’s U.P School, Kalayapuram
24.St.Thomas Bethany E.M School, Kulathamal.
Besides, our sisters extend their service to other institutions run by the Archdiocese. They are:-
1.Mar Baselios CBSE School, Amboori
2.CBSE School, Chirattakonam
3.CBSE School, Kaithakodu
4.Enlish Medium Scool, Elamadu
5.Sacred Heart Matriculation HSS, Padi, Chennai
6.St.Jude School, Mukhathala
7.School of Malankara Educational Trust, Sakinaka
8.School of Borivili Parish
9.L.P School, Puthoor Parish
10.Franciscan Brothers Engineering College, Borivili, Mumbai
There are quite a few other institutions where our sisters render their services- The Catholicate Centre, the Clergy Home both belong to the Archdiocese of TVPM. Two of our sisters are in charge of different sections in both these centres. The Nature Curre Centre run by the Bethany Navajeevan Province, TVPM also enjoys the services of two of our sisters.
Important Events Took Place
1925- Foundation of the Bethany Congregation.
1936 - The two Diocesan Congregations.
1956- Unification of the two Diocesan Congregations.
1956- The first Provincial Chapter.
1998- Bifurcation of Thiruvananthapuram Province in to Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta