Roots of Luigine in India

God’s ways are wonderful and mysterious. It is wonderful to know how the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Aloysius started its root in India. It is a very wonderful and long history. Miss Teresa Lasagna, the paternal aunt of two of our Italian sisters, namely Daniela Lasagna and Ada Lasagna, was sponsoring Fr. George Malieckal from Kerala, when he was a seminarian. After his ordination, Fr. George had correspondence with Miss. Teresa Lasagna in English. Since she didn’t know English, she used to go to Rev. Canonico Benso, the chaplain of the “Suore di San Luigi” who knew well English. Later in the 60s Teresa approached Sr. Rafaela who was in Italy from East Pakistan for the translations of her letters. Making use of the golden opportunity, Mother Gertrude requested to Teresa Lasagna to ask Rev. Fr. George Malieckal to send some vocations from Kerala for the Congregation. Then Fr. George was, the parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Church, Ettumanoor, Kottayam District, Kerala. Fr. George responded promptly to the request of the mother general. He gathered from the nearby parishes of Ettumanoor, 8 young girls who were desirous of living their religious life. They were Annamma C.T, Mary Luca, Annakutty, Cecily, Money, Elsamma, Thresiamma and Annamma Thomas.
Subsequently, Fr. Cyriac Puthenpura, his close friend started sending a few candidates to the Congregation with its headquarters in Italy.
The first batch of the candidates reached Italy in 1962 and in the subsequent year they started their formation in the novitiate. Prompted by the idea of the Holy Father conveyed through the Mother General to start activities in India, some of the sisters who took their first profession in 1965, returned to India in 1971 and started organizing the activities with their base in Bandra, Bombay.
Gradually with the help of Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Thumma, the Bishop of Vijayawada, the Congregation was able to establish its Indian headquarters in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh in 1975.

Coordinators

The Congregation began to work in India as Delegation under a Coordinator appointed by the Superior General. The first Coordinator Rev.Sr. Emmanuela Mangattukunnel took charge in 1982 and continued in the same position up to 1989 followed by Rev. Sisters Damiana (1989 – 1995) and Flaviana (1995 -2002) guided the Delegation in its infancy stage as Coordinators. Sr. Mercy Joseph became the last coordinator of Indian Delegate in 2002.

Region

In view of the administrative requirements, the sisters working in India were brought under a Region subsequent to the Revision of the Norms ad experimentum for the Missionary lands. Rev. Sr. Mercy Joseph was appointed as Regional Superior by the General Council in 2006. Later, the First Regional Chapter was convened in 2008 in which Rev. Sr. Mercy Abraham was elected as the Regional Superior and she continued in this post till 2011.The meeting of the Regional Chapter was held in Vijayawada in 2011 and Sr. Mercy Joseph was elected as the Regional Superior. The next Chapter convened in 2014 elected Sr. Jancy V.M as the Regional Superior.

To the great satisfaction of all the members, the then Regional Superior Rev. Sr. Jancy V. Mathew was elected as the first Indian Superior General of the Congregation, in the General Chapter held in Alba, Italy on 26 August 2016, and the Indian region was raised to the status of a Province.

Message from Provincial Superior

‘Apart from the Cross, there is no other ladder by which we may go to heaven’

Dear Sisters, As we have begun our Lenten journey, we are called to deepen our commitment to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This sacred season is a time for spiritual renewal, guiding us toward the Paschal Triduum and the glorious Easter Season. It is an invitation to reflect on our lives, turn our hearts more fully toward God, and allow His grace to transform us. In the Gospel of Matthew, we read, “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert... He fasted forty days and forty nights” (Matthew 4:1-2). This passage reminds us of Jesus’ own journey into the wilderness, where He fasted, prayed, and prepared for the work ahead. As we received the ashes on our foreheads with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” we are reminded of our mortality and our need for repentance. Lent calls us to introspection—a call to examine the state of our hearts and our relationship with God. Saint Teresa of Avila beautifully reminds us, “Our Lord is pleased only with the motions of the heart… although, to please Him, we must begin with exterior practices, and we must soon pass to the interior.” This wisdom teaches us that outward acts of penance—prayer, fasting, and charity—are not ends in themselves. They must be rooted in the interior transformation of our hearts. True penance is not simply about what we do, but why we do it. It is through genuine change within us that we find true spiritual renewal. Lent invites us to move beyond superficial observance. While external acts of penance are important, they must be animated by a sincere desire for inner conversion. This journey is not only about what we give up, but also about what we take on—a deeper relationship with God, a heart open to His grace, and a willingness to be transformed by His love. As we undertake this Lenten journey together, let us be mindful that our acts of charity, fasting, and prayer are not only for our personal spiritual benefit, but also for the healing and peace of the world. By allowing our hearts to be transformed, we contribute to building a more compassionate and peaceful world around us. May this season of Lent be a time of deep conversion, where we allow the grace of God to work within us, transforming us into instruments of peace, love, and mercy in our world.

Gratitude and Prayerful Collaboration

I also take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the trust and confidence you have placed in me by electing me as your Provincial Superior. With humility, I accept this responsibility, knowing that it is not by my strength, but by the grace of God, that I am called to serve. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). As I step into this role, I ask for your prayers, support, and collaboration. Like the early Christian community, let us strive to be “of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32), bearing witness to the Gospel through our lives. Challenges will come, but together, strengthened by the power of Christ’s resurrection, we shall move forward with hope and unity. May God bless each one of you as we journey through this Lenten season and as we work together in our shared mission.

Yours Sincerely in Christ,
Sr. Mercy Mathew
Provincial Superior

Province

The First Provincial Chapter held in Vijayawada elected Rev. Sr. Teresia M.Antony alias Molly M.Antony, as the First Provincial Superior on 13 January 2017 and she took charge as Provincial Superior on the same day with the newly elected Provincial Council.

Eventually, more and more candidates from various federal states of Indian union like Kerala, Tamilnadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Jharkhand joined the Congregation. Formation for them was started in 1977 in Vijayawada itself. At present, the Congregation has 22 communities spread across the above mentioned states, taking care of general education of the children, the sick and destitute, running counseling centers and production centers for electronic gadgets.
The newly constituted Province has 21 communities and a Novitiate house situated in Vijayawada. In 2019 we have begun a mission in Germany and 2020 two of our sisters volunteered to render mission service in Brazil. Those who join the Congregation as aspirants are housed in Gunadala Andhra Pradesh, the Postulants in Nyayampally AP and the Novitiate house is in Vijayawada, A. P.

General Information About Our Congregation

Name of the Congregation: THE CONGREGATION OF THE OBLATE SISTERS OF ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA

Founder: Venerable Don Giovanni Battista Rubino (1776 -1853)

Co- Founders: Sr. Teresa Moscone and Sr. Maddalena Caminale

Date of Foundation: 15 October 1815

Place of Foundation: Lamorra, Italy

Our Patron

St. Aloysius Gonzaga

Models: St. Aloysius Gonzaga - Model of purity, Charity and innocence

Immaculate Virgin Mary

- Model of purity and Spiritual Maternity

Co- Patroness of the Congregation: St. Adeodata- St. Adeodata died in defense of Christian faith and purity and was given as a model and co –protectress to all the young girls and to all Christians to more easily practice virtue to avoid sin and remain firm in the faith even amidst trials and tribulations.

Congregation Recognized & Approved: 29 April 1948

Obtained the recognition of juridical personality: 21 April 1949

The Decree of the Pontifical Recognition: 29 January 1958

Our Charism:

To pray for the peace in the Church and among the nations and to assist, instruct and educate the poor daughters and youth. Through prayer and dialogue with others, Don Rubino´s Charism became very clear in his heart: To lead others, above all the young, on God´s path.

Our Motto:

Ad majorem Dei gloriam et proximorum utilitatem (For the greater glory of God and the good of our neighbours)

Our Emblem:

OSL - OBLATES OF SAN LUIGI (OBLATE SISTERS OF SAN LUIGI GONZAGA)
THREE STONES ON WHICH THE CROSS IS PLACED
THE CROSS REPRESENTS CHRIST
THREE STONES: FAITH,HOPE AND CHARITY

VISION

A life totally dedicated to the glory of God and the sanctification of souls, practicing Chastity, Poverty and Obedience, can change the world and bring it to God, the creator.

MISSION

• Empowerment of women and the weaker sections of the society through education to transform the families for a life embedded in the teaching of Christ and His Church.
  
• Formation of the youth in general and technical education to help themselves and others
  
• Care for the sick and the aged following the footsteps of the Patron
  
• Collaboration in the building up of the Church through pastoral service, rehabilitation of broken families, Care for the Senior Citizens and family prayers
  

OUR MAIN APOSTOLATES

Education, Healing Ministry, Socio – Pastoral Service, St. Aloysius Senior citizens Home.

St. Adeodata

Co- Patroness of the Congregation

St. Adeodata died in defense of Christian faith and purity and was given as a model and co –protectress to all the young girls and to all Christians to more easily practice virtue to avoid sin and remain firm in the faith even amidst trials and tribulations.

Congregation Recognized & Approved: 29 April 1948
Obtained the recognition of juridical personality: 21 April 1949
The Decree of the Pontifical Recognition: 29 January 1958