The evangelical counsels, which lead to charity, join their followers to the Church and its mystery in a special way. Since this is so, the spiritual life of these people should then be devoted to the welfare of the whole Church” (LG 44). Drawing inspiration from this Council teaching, Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy, the Bishop of the Eparchy of Mananthavady (1973 – 1995), encouraged religious congregations and their diverse charisms and apostolates. According to Perfectae Caritatis No 19, “Particularly in those areas, where churches are recently established, those forms of religious life should be promoted and developed which take into account the genius and way of life of the inhabitants and the customs and conditions of the regions.” It was the pressing pastoral and missionary needs of the Eparchy of Mananthavady that encouraged Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy to form a new religious Society.
The Eparchy of Mananthavady was established for the migrant population from central Kerala. As people continued to migrate, Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy recognised the need for a group of dedicated women who would directly serve and empower the people in local parish communities which were backward in educational, social, cultural and spiritual domains. This idea, strongly supported by many, was acknowledged as a necessity. Convinced of this need and discerning the will of God in the voices of many, and encouraged and confirmed by the clergy and laity of the Eparchy, Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy, the then Bishop of the Eparchy of Mananthavady, founded the Kristudasi Society on May 19, 1977. What makes SKD unique is its origin in the heart of the local Church, founded by a local hierarch, nurtured, and patronised by the same, extending its existence to meet the needs and requirements of the Church and the people of God.
The Charism of the Society of KristuDasis is ‘Servanthood to Christ’. It is modelled after Christ who humbled himself, taking the form of a slave and was obedient unto death, a death on the cross. (Ph. 2:7-8). Reading the signs of times and discerning the will of God, the Kristu Dasi Society formulates its apostolate and style of functioning. They model themselves after Christ, who emptied himself on the cross, their guiding force.
Holy Mary, the Mother of God is the inspiration of the congregation, and the slogan of every SKD member is “Behold the handmaid of the Lord”. The ‘Blessed Virgin Mary at the Annunciation’ is the heavenly patroness of the Society of Kristu Dasis. Mary, who went in haste to meet her cousin Elizabeth, after the annunciation is the model of every SKD sister. The main areas of apostolate of Society of Kristu Dasis include family apostolate, social apostolate, healing ministry, educational ministry and preaching ministry. Through these apostolates, the SKD sisters spread the love of Christ in the world attracting many to His divine life.
The good Lord was prodigious in showering His abundant blessings upon the Society of Kristu Dasis. Spreading its wings over the globe, SKD’s witness the Gospel on different continents. Its members work inter-continentally in Asia, Europe, Africa, and America. The motto of the founder, “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (Gal 4:19), exhorts members of the congregation to take up challenging apostolates for the greater glory of God and the good of brethren, responding humbly with Mother Mary “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word”.
Sr. Tina Kunnel SKD
(Mother General)
