Growth and Spread of DPMT in India: St Joseph Province

The appeal made by the Second Vatican Council, in accordance with Jesus’ mandate gives rise in our Congregation a missionary urge that has been fostered and expressed for years. The mission in India started in the year 1968, under the able guidance of the then Superior General; Mother Teodolinda Venegoni. The pioneers of Indian Mission were two Italian Missionaries – Sr Lucina Carimali and Sr Lorenza Bietti. They came first to Perumpunna, Tellicheri Diocese- Kerala. Later we were invited by the Diocese of Calicut and started a house and High School in Chevayur and Perinthalmanna in the Diocese of Calicut. The land of mission proved to be fertile for the growth of the seed planted. Later we have spread our wings of mission into the other states of India: Andhra Pradesh & Gujarath. There we started to serve the poor, sick and marginalized and a special importance was given to lepers & blind. 

Later the Indian Region was bifurcated into two regions namely St Joseph Region and St Mary Region on 7 th April 1996. The First Regional Superior of St Joseph Region was Sr Lorenza Bietti and of St Mary Region was Sr Rosamma Thengumpallil. Gradually the two regions in India were made into two Provinces in the year 2011- St Mary Province and St Joseph Province in India and Sacred Heart Province in Italy.

Because of the vision and untiring commitment of late Sr Lucina Carimali and Sr Lorenza Bietti, the pioneers, the family of Presentation grew and we owe to them whatever heights we are in now.

At the invitation of Most. Rev. Alphonsus Beretta PIME (Late) the first Bishop of the diocese of Warangal we the Presentation Sisters came to Warangal, AP. in 1979 to involve ourselves in different activities like education, social work, pastoral care etc. We started with a community in Fathima Nagar in 1982 and spread out to different areas in Warangal.

St Joseph Province was erected on 19 th March 2011 with Sr Tessy Thomas Manianghat DPMT as the First Provincial Superior, Warangal based, Telangana State. There are 19 houses spread in Telangana, Andhra, Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and North East. The sisters of Presentation family are engaged in various apostolates like education, healing ministry, pastoral service and social activities.