History of Province
As per the decision of the General Synaxis held in January 1985, St.Joseph Region centered in Changanassery was raised to the status of a Province on June 27, 1985. Divided into three Provinces the Congregation advanced forward, each in their own contexts with the firm determination to attain their pristine goal. Sisters got spiritually deepened and awake through the renewal programs organized by the Generalate. In close collaboration with the directives given by the General Council on religious formation to be rooted in our charism and tradition centred on Christ, each province carefully carries it out in her own background.
The duly elected Synaxis members assembled at the Regional House Podippara for the Election Synaxis. Mother Amabilis the Superior General, presided over the session held on 27 June 1985. The official inauguration and the first election of St. Joseph Province were held at Podippara on 27 June 1985. Sr.Savio was elected as the first Provincial Superior, Sr. Marceline the Vicar Provincial, Sr.Rositta, Sr.Petite Terese and Sr. Chrisilda the Councillors and Sr. Possenthy the auditor.
At the time of the division, St.Joseph Province had 17 communities with 163 Sisters in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. After fifteen years, in 2000 the Province was again divided and Krupadham Vice Province was formed in the Andhra – Maharashtra Mission with 15 houses and 90 sisters.
With reference to the Synaxis decision of 2009, the Sisters of St. Joseph Province were given chance for option for Tamil Nadu region. Accordingly 14 Sisters opted permanently and 17 Sisters opted for 5 years. In response to the application of the Provincial Council, to form a Region for the Tamil Nadu Mission permission was granted. Thus on 16 April 2010, the Superior General, Mother Smitha officially declared the establishment of Tamil Nadu mission as Santhome Region in the presence of the General Council, Provincials and Sisters, on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of all the Provinces. Santhome Region was officially inaugurated on 08.09.2010 at Perambur.
One more chance for option was given to the Sisters in 2014 and 17 members permanently opted for Tamil Nadu Region and 14 for 5 years. With great effort a plot of about two acres of marshy land was acquired at Veerapuram near Avadi in Chennai, under the jurisdiction of the Syro Malabar diocese of Hosur, and the Regional house was constructed there and blessed on 4 April 2017, by Mar Sebastian Pozholiparambil, the Bishop of Hosur. Â This is also the Formation House of Santhome Region. Region Day is celebrated on 3July, the Feast of Dukhrana .
Santhome Region comprises the following houses, with 25 Sisters.
SD Kongerpalayam, Erode Dt., Ootty Diocese
SD Nalroad
SD Coonoor Nilgiri Dt.
SD Perambur Chennai Dt. Hosur Diocese
SD Thirumullaivoyal, Thiruvallur Dt.
Santhome Regional House, Veerapuram, Thiruvallur Dt. Hosur Diocese
SD Sennathur, Thiruvannamalai Dt. Vellore Diocese
SD Perumanam,