Orissa thanks the Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy
At the celebration for the 375th anniversary of the foundation of the institute, which has been present in this Indian region for more than 150 years, six priests welcomed by children in their schools serving orphans and the poor paid tribute to the service of the religious sisters together with 20,000 other people. ‘A reflection of God's care among us’.
Bhubaneswar (AsiaNews) - In the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, in the Indian state of Orissa, where they have been present for over 150 years, the Sisters of the Congregation of St Joseph of Annecy recently celebrated the 375th anniversary of their foundation in France. Six local priests who were educated in their schools gave particular thanks for this long service. Three of them were fatherless, one motherless.
‘Honour to our Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy whose loving hands shaped our childhood at the Saint Vincent orphanage in Mondasoro, in the district of Kandhamal,’ said Dushmonth Nayak, one of these priests, during the celebration held in honour of the religious on 8 October with over 20,000 people in attendance. ‘Their loving service during our childhood was truly a sacred reflection of God's care. By caring for us orphans with love and faith, these sisters became a sacred expression of God's compassion. We honour our sisters for their love and care in our early years.’
According to another former student priest, Manoj Nayak, current parish priest of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Mondasoro, the Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy extended their care beyond the classroom. Many of them dedicated their lives to serving orphans and disadvantaged children, offering not only education but also love, protection and hope. Their tireless efforts are a living testimony to the words of Christ: ‘Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph was founded by Jesuit Jean Pierre Medaille in Le Puy, France, in 1650, to care for the sick and poor in their homes. In 1849, the sisters arrived in India through the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) and settled in the diocese of Vishakapatnam. In March 1872, the mission in Cuttack was started, followed by those in Jokalandi and Mondasoro in Orissa. The most recent is the Sankarakhol mission, which began in 2005.
There are currently 13,000 Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy worldwide, in addition to approximately 5,000 co-workers who work in their facilities. They are involved in education, healthcare, personal services and environmental care in 55 countries.
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