Building bridges of unity and understanding across faith traditions
The Congregation of the Daughters of Mary, and specifically St. Joseph's Province, has a deep-rooted commitment to ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, which is woven into its founding charism and daily activities.
The primary ecumenical effort is inherent in the very foundation and mission of the Congregation.
The Congregation was founded with a commitment to "promoting Christian unity among non-Catholic Churches." This is not a secondary activity but a core part of their identity.
A concrete example of this effort is their active service in 56 dioceses across India belonging to all three Catholic rites:
This demonstrates a practical, on-the-ground commitment to working across historical and liturgical divisions within Catholicism itself, fostering unity and collaboration.
Through their work in parish ministries, including catechism, liturgical participation, and pastoral care, they support and strengthen the local Christian community, which is a fundamental step toward broader unity.
While the text focuses more on Christian ecumenism, elements of interfaith engagement are present through their service-oriented approach.
A key principle repeated throughout their mission is providing service "without discrimination based on caste, creed, or religion." This is most explicitly stated in the description of their healthcare ministry, such as at St. Joseph's Medical and Charitable Organization, Panachamoodu.
Their extensive social outreach programs (e.g., Stella Maris Institute projects, health centers in tribal areas like Udaiyar Kuppam) serve populations of diverse faiths. By serving the needs of all people respectfully, they engage in a form of interfaith dialogue through action and witness, building bridges of understanding and compassion within pluralistic communities.
The text explicitly mentions structured initiatives aimed at collaboration and unity with other Christians.
The charism of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church includes a strong emphasis on ecumenism. The Daughters of Mary live this out through "actively promoting ecumenical dialogue and Christian unity."
They organize and support various faith-based organizations that likely include members from different Christian backgrounds in their areas of service, fostering collaboration at the grassroots level. These include:
This team's activities, including "public preaching" and "missionary activities in rural and underserved communities," are conducted in a region with a diverse Christian population, implying interaction and engagement with other Christian groups.
The Congregation has a significant and growing international presence, extending their ecumenical and service mission beyond India.
They are explicitly serving in international missions across Europe, America, and Africa.
Their work abroad is part of their participation in the "universal mission of the Church." This involves:
The text mentions that St. Joseph's Province has 48 convents and 2 service centers established throughout India and abroad, confirming their physical presence and active work in other countries.
While the specific countries are not named, their international missions involve the same holistic approach: pastoral ministry, education, healthcare, and social outreach, adapted to the local context and needs.
Whether through prayer, volunteering, or support, you can be part of our ecumenical and interfaith initiatives.