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Our Founders

The visionary souls who inspired a global mission of love and compassion

Rt. Rev. Monsignor Joseph Kuzhinjalil

His Vision and Mission

Monsignor Kuzhinjalil was deeply committed to promoting Christian unity among non-Catholic Churches and witnessing the holistic Christian faith among non-Christians. His vision was to create a missionary religious institute that would actively serve the spiritual and physical needs of the marginalized.

Rt. Rev. Monsignor Joseph Kuzhinjalil

Rt. Rev. Monsignor Joseph Kuzhinjalil was a priest of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the primary founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary. On 8 May 1938, in the town of Marthandam, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India, he officially established the congregation.

His leadership and spiritual guidance were instrumental in its early formation and growth. He founded the congregation alongside Rev. Mother Mary Kallarackal, with the first members being Sr. Agnes and Sr. Theresa.

Rev. Mother Mary Kallarackal

His Vision and Mission

Monsignor Kuzhinjalil was deeply committed to promoting Christian unity among non-Catholic Churches and witnessing the holistic Christian faith among non-Christians. His vision was to create a missionary religious institute that would actively serve the spiritual and physical needs of the marginalized.

Rev. Mother Mary Kallarackal

Rev. Mother Mary Kallarackal was the co-founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary. She worked hand-in-hand with Monsignor Joseph Kuzhinjalil to bring the vision of the congregation to life.

As a co-founder, she played a critical role in shaping the spiritual and operational aspects of the nascent community, guiding the first sisters and establishing the congregation's charism and rules of life.

Their Shared Vision and Mission

Live the Charism

"To be pure and poor for the Kingdom of God," reflecting the teachings of the Gospel through lives of simplicity and purity of heart.

Engage in Holistic Service

To proclaim the Gospel through a wide range of apostolic ministries including pastoral work, education, healing, and social outreach, especially among the poor and marginalized.

Promote Christian Unity

Faithful to the ethos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, they envisioned a congregation that would actively work towards ecumenical dialogue and Christian unity.

Build a Global Mission

From its humble beginnings in a small town in South India, they laid the groundwork for a congregation that would eventually serve in 56 dioceses across India and in international missions across Europe, America, and Africa.

Historical Context

The congregation had its humble beginnings on 8 May 1938, in Marthandam. This location remains the heart of the congregation, housing the Mother House of the first province, St. Joseph's Province, which was bifurcated in 1987. The first members were Sr. Agnes and Sr. Theresa.

Today, their legacy lives on through 1,037 professed sisters, 172 houses, and 30 service centers, continuing to witness the holistic Christian faith as the founders envisioned.