MARVELLOUS BEGINNING
The origin of our Congregation is traced back to 19th Century in the State of Tamilnadu, India. It was founded by Thatipathri Gnanamma, a lay woman. She was an ordinary woman who hailed from Phirangipuram, a small village in Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. She was given in marriage to Innaiah, a catechist of Phirangipuram. This pious couple were blessed with five sons. Unfortunately, she became a widow at the early age of 37 years. Left all alone with five boys to bring up, she put her entire trust in the Divine Providence and raised her children strong in the basics of the Christian faith. Four of her sons joined the religious life and one settled down in family life. Read More...
Small but Special!
Epochs are born in a simple way from out of the lives of ordinary people. These men and women are primeval energies from the atom, sanctified already in the womb. These makers of history are often persons without any important historical background. They often do not have any historical roots to boast of. These are truly the saints of the Universe. The wonder that these men and women evoke in our hearts is beyond imagination, deeper than the seas and higher than the mountains. “This indeed is the work of God, a delight for our eyes….” (Psalm118:23) Read More...
The legacy of our Congregation is the basis for our identity. Yet, as the world keeps changing and as new needs emerge in the society where we are placed, we seek to make our methods creative, competent, and communitarian. The spirit of our commitment is generative and empowering the weak. We inherit these characteristics from our Foundress Mother Thatipathri Gnanamma who listened to the cry of the illiterate women of Kilacheri and wiped away their tears by her spontaneous and liberating response. She was solely inspired by the Spirit of the Lord who carried the cross to free the oppressed.
As needs expand, we continue to respond to the challenges of the times with trust and courage. Read More...
Our Mission
Education Ministry
Gender inequality pervaded the whole world in the 19th Century. India was no exception. The condition was rather worse than other countries. Read More...
Health Ministry
The ministry of healing is a work of compassion and love. When Jesus heals people, he is communicating God’s forgiving Read More...
Social work
Our Social Work Ministry directly springs from the vision of our Foundress Servant of God Mother Thatipathri Gnanamma. It was her deep desire Read More...
SISTERS OF ST.ANNE - MADRAS
The origin of our Congregation is traced back to 19th Century in the State of Tamilnadu, India. It was founded by Thatipathri Gnanamma, a lay woman. She was an ordinary woman who hailed from Phirangipuram, a small village in Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. She was given in marriage to Innaiah, the catechist of Phirangipuram. Read More...
Our Congregation was raised to the Pontifical status on 6th, December, 1979 by Pope John Paul II. The Generalate is located in Madavaram - Chennai. In 1987, our Congregation was divided into three administrative regional units with separate headquarters in Bangalore, Chennai and Tanjore. These regions were elevated to the status of Provinces in 1999. In 2014, Read More...
The journey which Gnanamma took in 1874 with just two young professed sisters, has reached the state where we are today. We march on with great vigour reaching out to the people who are on the periphery. We continue to engage in ministries that affirm the original spirit of our Foundress. Today, we are a band of willing hands, committed minds, and compassionate hearts. Read More...