Nazareth Sisters
The Congregation of the Nazareth Sisters is a religious community for women founded in the Syro-Malabar Church. God used great but humble people to unfold His mysterious ways. Mar Sebastian Valloppilly was one among them. He was instrumental in the foundation and edification of the Congregation. By his apostolic zeal and deep prayer, he could discern God's wonderful plans. Ultimately, he made Himself available for the fulfilment of His will.
During the first phase of the Malabar settlement, the young women of ordinary Christian families were very keen to lead a dedicated life but were denied religious life due to their insufficient education and poor financial background. These circumstances led the Bishop to founded the Congregation of the Nazareth Sisters on September 15 1975. The Bishop was looking for an ideal location for the proposed Nazareth Congregation and ultimately came across a moderately convenient house in the Santhome Estate, Kunnoth, belonging to the Archdiocese of Tellicherry. It was to house the first batch of sisters. Thirty girls were in the first batch, and fourteen received their religious habit from Bishop Mar Sebastian Valloppilly and made their first profession on December 28, 1978.
Keeping in mind Jesus's words, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me' (Mt.25:40), the newly professed Nazareth Sisters engaged in catechismal teaching ministry, parish ministry, family apostolate, social work, and self-employment training classes for young girls, sharing the redeeming love of God with others, especially with the less privileged.
During its infancy, Late Msgr. Thomas Pazheparambil, Late Msgr. Jacob Varikattu, the Vicar General, Rev. Fr. George Kodakanady, and Rev. Fr. John Kaniyanpalackal assisted the Bishop in the growth of the Congregation. Sisters of the Sacred Heart Congregation were invited to assist in the formation of the members of the Nazareth Sisters. The first profession of the second batch was held on September 08 1982. After five years of selfless service, the Sacred Heart Sisters left to return to their own Congregation. The members of Nazareth Sisters became competent enough to manage themselves by that time. In the first general chapter, Sr. Annie Thomas was elected as the Superior General, Sr. Mareena as the Assistant General and Sr. Mercy Thomas as the Procurator. Sr. Rose James was elected as the second Superior General, and Sr. Mercy Thomas, Sr. Rosett Jose, Sr. Mariet, Sr. Annie Tom, Sr. Mary Paul, Sr. Annie Tom, and Sr.Grace Mary were elected as the Superior Generals in the subsequent general chapters. Rev. Sr. Jaseentha Sebastian is the present Superior General. With the authorization of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, Rome, His Grace the Archbishop Mar George Valiamattam raised our community to a Congregation of Eparchial Status on July 21 2001. It is, indeed, a landmark in the path of growth for the Congregation.
The first house of the Congregation was opened at Palathinkadavu on December 30 1982. A convent of the Congregation was opened in the diocese of Thamarassery at Muthappanpuzha on May 20 1992. In 2004, Nazareth Sisters started the first house at Pezhumkandam in the Idukki diocese. As a part of extending the different ministries, the Congregation opened the first house in Pala diocese in response to the invitation of the Bishop of Pala diocese in 2007. The sisters here are engaged in various apostolic activities. Further, the evangelical zeal of the Nazareth sisters to share the spirit of the Gospel with everyone led to an invitation from the fathers of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) for a mission station to be established in far-flung Kashmir accepted by the Congregation in 1997. Shortly afterwards, impressed by the unique service the Sisters provided to the local communities in Kashmir, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Hippolitus Kunnumkal, the Bishop of Jammu–Srinagar, requested our services in his diocese as well, and the Nazareth Sisters started their service at Dansal in the educational ministry and social work field. We began our service in Ettawh Mission at Jaswanthnagar station in 2009 in UP and in MP at Ujjain in 2019.
The Nazareth Sisters began their nursing care and services in Germany on November 01 1998. It is the goodwill, interest, and generous help of Rev. Fr. Joseph Karinattu, former Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Tellicherry, Our sisters learnt the German language with the help of some generous Fathers and sisters and started health ministry services at St. Wendel in Trier diocese. Presently, we have four houses in Germany. The other three are at Saarbrucken, Altenwoog and Puttlingen. All these houses are located in the Trier Diocese. The sisters also find time to participate in the parish ministries.
