St. Philip Neri while leaving in Rome deeply desired to go to India as a missionary. He was inspired by the heroic zeal of Saint Francis Xavier and other Jesuit Missionaries who carried the Gospel to distant lands. However, upon the advice of his spiritual director he remained in Rome until his death. Though he never set a foot in India, his missionary spirit would one day be fulfilled through the presence and the ministry of the Sisters of St. Philip Neri. The congregation of the sisters of St. Philip Neri in Florence was started on February 2nd 1793 by Angela Gambhi a revered lady and Fr. Ferdinando Fattoracci belong to Philip Neri oratory congregation.

Centuries later this desire was providentially realised. His Eminence Mar Sebastian Mankuzhikkary, the first Bishop of the Eparchy of Thamarassery, encountered the sisters of St. Philip Neri during a visit to Florence. He was deeply impressed by their apostolic dedication and the Spiritual depth of their Charism. Moved by their mission, he invited them to serve in his Diocese in Kerala, India. The congregations’ leadership inspired by the spirit of the Second Vatican Council and its call for renewed missionary activity accepted this invitation. On the 10th of August 1993 two sisters arrived in the Eparchy of Thamarassery and took up residence in the diocesan house to begin our missionary work. As a part of the growth of the Sisters of St Philip Neri the Indian region separated from the Florence and erected as a religious Institute of Eparchial right with the title of sisters of St. Philip Neri of Thamarassery on January 6th 2021. Our charism is “To speak to everyone’s heart with the joy of Christ “(Saint Philip Neri) and to be a sister to the world with their heart turned to God. Our special mission is to co-operate in the apostolic activities and the charitable services of the church to educate and form children and the youth teach catechism. We serve God through the care homes, old age home, counselling, healthcare and renewal of families. By our devoted seeking of the voice and face of Jesus the master in prayer and service, we are so resolved to care compassionately for all of God’s creation and to be in solidarity with those in difficulty, the less privileged and on the periphery and to imbibe the special charism to be sister to the world with the heart turned to God. Today the presence of the sisters of Saint Philip Neri in India stands as a living Testament to the unfulfilled dream of their spiritual father. What St. Philip Neri once longed for has found vibrant expression through the life, prayer and service of his daughters in the Indian Church. Sisters spreading the joy of St. Philip Neri all over the world in India, Italy North India and Germany through many houses and sisters. 

Sr. Lisetta Azhakath (Mother General)