About Us
Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas, the Founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany often expressed his burning desire that Bethany should further spread her branches to the vast Indo-Gangetic plains of Northern India, and other parts of the World and carry on the ministries of pastoral, education and socio- medical and be at the service of the people.
In 1960 Fr Christanand, a priest of Simla Diocese, besides looking after the spiritual needs of the students who came to the National Dairy Research Centre, had started an English medium school in August 1960 at Karnal in Haryana and was running a Catholic Information Centre in Karnal at 2 D Model Town. He expressed his desire of the people for a Convent school in the area, and his own need to be assisted by the sisters in the Pastoral ministry. He requested Rt Rev John Burke, the Bishop of Simla to invite Bethany Sisters from Mangalore to North India. Accordingly, the Bishop gave a pressing invitation to Mother Macrina, the Superior General, to open Convents in the North.
The Pioneers
While the preliminary arrangements were being made for the sisters to set forth to the North, Fr. RFC Mascarenhas, the Founder was in his death bed. Yet, very consciously, divinely and with much enthusiasm he extended his paternal blessings to Sr Honoratha BS and Sr Gemma BS who had gone to present him the good news of starting Bethany Mission in the North. He blessed them saying, “Go, my children, go, God will bless you; my blessings and prayers are always with you.” He foresaw that Bethany would rapidly spread to the four corners of the world. Soon on December 23, 1960 the holy soul flew to its heavenly abode. Sr Agnella BS and Sr Verena BS the dynamic leaders of Bethay were in Simla at that time planning the details of Bethany’s Mission in the North with Bishop John Burke, the Bishop of Simla Diocese.
In the year 1961 on 6 January, a significant day in the Christian Calendar- the feast of Epiphany, a band of Sisters – Sr Oliva BS, Sr Gemma BS, Sr Genevieve BS, Sr Florence BS, Sr Rosalie BS, Sr Mida BS, Sr Benilda BS Sr Benjamine BS and Sr Rosaline BS set foot on the soil of Karnal which was still a part of East Punjab. Haryana state came into existence on 1 November 1966.
Mother Macrina, the Superior General, Sr Agnella BS, Sr Verena BS her councillors accompanied Sr Gemma BS, Sr Florence BS, Sr Benilda BS and the domestic helper Mary D’Souza to Bathinda by train. Sr Oliva BS, Sr Genevieve BS and Sr Rosalie BS and their domestic helper Josephine were the members of St Theresa’s, community, Karnal and Sr Mida and Sr Benjamine stayed on at St Theresa’s Karnal until further arrangement were made for their departure to Mashobra in Simla, Himachal Pradesh. Sr Rosaline, who was to accompany them to Mashobra, took ill due to extreme cold and was forced to return to Mangalore.
Travelling from South India to the North in those days was a feat in itself. They braved the hard winter with deep faith in God, perseverance and steely courage. Thus began the legend of Bethany in the North. What an ordeal it was for Sisters who were used to moderate southern climate, when the icy cold winds of January caused their teeth to clatter! Even their bone marrow seemed to freeze. No shoes, no jackets or warm gloves to provide them warmth and comfort in what was to all purposes a strange land for them. Swollen fingers and toes with excruciating pain, brought tears to our eyes,” recalls Sr Linus. Summer was just the opposite. In Punjab and Haryana, the persisting heat waves and dust storms spelt misery throughout summer. The Sisters experienced the extremes of the northern climate to the hilt. In severe winter they felt that they were covered by an avalanche, and in the sizzling heat of mid-summer, they felt that they were being roasted in ‘burning infernos.
Adjustment to the rented rooms that served as classrooms during the school hours, and as dormitories for the Sisters at night, was also quite an experience for them. They paid a heavy price indeed! But the times were so good and safe that people often slept in the open air at night.
Life long Dedication as Housemaids
Formation of Northern Region
On 1 October 1970 the Northern Region was formed with Sr Genevieve as the first Regional Superior. From 1970 to 1975, Sacred Heart Convent Sarabha Nagar, Punjab, served as the Regional House. From 1975- 1977 it was reverted to St Theresa’s Convent Karnal, Haryana. In 1977 again Ludhiana formed as the Regional House and continued it till 1980. The Regional Superiors were Sr Genevieve (1970-’75), Sr Gemma (1975-’77), Sr Nora (1977-1980) and Sr Canice (1980-1986). From 1980 to 1986, the North and North East Regions were combined.
Formation of Northern Province
Year of Establishment: 01.06.1986
In 1986, the Silver Jubilee Year of Northern Province, Northern Region was raised to Northern Province at St Theresa’s Karnal as the Provincial House. Sr Wilberta (1986-1993) was the first Provincial Superior. Subsequently Sr Miriam (1993-97), Sr Wilberta (1997-1998), Sr Nora (1998-2006)
Sr Maria Leena (2006-2014) and Sr Jyoti (2014-2018) Sr Erasma (2018 -2026) became the Provincial Superiors. The present Provincial team consists of Sr Erasma BS, Provincial Superior, Sr Arpan BS Assistant Provincial Superior, Sr Clare Toppo BS, Sr Rose Margaret BS and Sr Helen D’Costa BS, the Provincial Councillors and Sr Gracy D’ Souza BS is the Province Procurator.
In December 2012 the Northern Province was bifurcated into Eastern and Northern Provinces. The Northern Province spans across the States of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Karnataka, West Bengal and Union territory of Chandigarh. The diverse culture it embraces is marvellous. Bethany in the North covers the diocese of Jalandhar, Simla-Chandigarh, Bareilly, Dumka, Khandwa, Mangalore, Kolkata and Arch Diocese of Delhi.
Bethany Provincial House, Ish Kripa, Karnal
In 1986, the Silver Jubilee Year of Northern Province, Northern Region was raised to Northern Province with St Theresa’s Karnal as the Provincial House. Sr Wilberta (1986-1993) was the first Provincial Superior. Subsequently Sr Miriam (1993-97), Sr Wilberta (1997-1998), Sr Nora ( 1998-2006) Sr Maria Leena (2006-2014) and Sr Jyoti (2014 to date) became the Provincial Superiors. The present Provincial team consists of Sr Jyoti, Provincial Superior, Sr Jane Chantal, Assistant Provincial Superior, Sr Arpan, Sr Helima and Sr Violet. Sr Gracy D’ Souza is the Province Procurator.
On 1 October 2004 Ish Kripa, a separate Provincial House was inaugurated by Rt Rev Gerald John Mathias, the Bishop of Simla- Chandigarh when Sr Nora was the Provincial Superior.
In December 2012 the Northern Province was bifurcated into Eastern and Northern Province making the Province half in its size. The Northern Province spans across the States of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, West Bengal and Union territory of Chandigarh. The diverse culture it embraces is marvelous. Bethany in the North covers the diocese of Jalandhar, Simla-Chandigarh, Bareilly, Dumka, Khandwa, Mangalore, Kolkata and Arch Diocese of Delhi.
Community Photo – Ish Kripa
