The congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate (MSMI) is belonging to the Syro-Malabar Church sprouted and took root in the rich soil of Kerala. MSMI Congregation was founded on 8th September 1962 at Kulathuvayal, in the then Diocese of Tellichery, Kerala, India, by late Msgr. CJ Varkey who had an unquenchable passion for souls. The specific charism of the congregation is to manifest the Redeeming love of Jesus to all. Jesus who, filled with the Holy Spirit, went about teaching the people, preaching the Gospel, healing every disease and infirmity, saving the people and visiting them in their homes (Matt. 9.35). The congregation is dedicated to missionary work and the dissemination of the redemptive love of Jesus through family apostolate and the proclamation of the Word of God.
The missionary zeal of Msgr. CJ Varkey for proclaiming the Word of God outreached MSMI congregation to Fatehpur mission station of the Arch Diocese of Bhopal in 1972 and expanded to various mission stations in India and abroad. On 15 October 1988 His Holiness John Paul II raised the congregation to Pontifical status. At present the MSMI comprises around 820 professed sisters in four Provinces assigned in the Church in 151 houses having their services in various apostolates, namely visiting families, proclamation of the Word of God, education, village exposure programs,health care and pro-life activities, care for the sick & orphans,teaching catechism, Christeen program, youth ministry and prayer & counselling etc. Aiming to the transformation of individuals and the liberation of people from all forms of evil, the congregation has four retreat centres and sisters engage in regular preaching ministry as well as spiritual and psychological counselling which help many to free from various kinds of bondages. This congregation give prime importance to proclaim the Good News to as many people as possible with the intention of helping the people to come out from the obscurity of ignorance of a loving God and enjoy the freedom of the children of God
According to the vision of the founder, the congregation give priority to family visits to get a clear picture of present family situation. Home Mission programs of the congregation help many families to grow in faith, to solve the problems by patient listening and dialogue and ensure to keep a spiritual atmosphere through regular daily prayers in the family, active participation in the liturgy, sacrament of penitence and active listening of the Word of God. Besides, the ministries of MSMI focus on the interaction among family members through frequent visits, dialogue with an empathetic listening which help many to come out from the suppressed negative emotions and feelings and guide them to lead an authentic Christian life based on faith, hope and charity.
The spirituality of our congregation is Marian spirituality and the life the life of the MSMI is coloured by the life and spirit of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the supreme model and the mother of the redeemer, who lived her entire life in union with God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The words and deeds of MSMI sisters give the message to the humanity to surrender totally to God and fulfil the will of God in all situations. “Behold the handmaid of the Lord” is the motto of our congregation. In order to renew Christian faith, regenerate society and build a community rooted in Christ, sisters dedicate their lives as the handmaids of the Lord and engage in various innovative ministries according to the needs of the time as true missionaries of redeeming love.
Sr. Elsy Vadakkemury MSMI
Mother General
