Sr M Zenita BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
BLA Members
Educational ministry
Hostel ministry
Balkunje is situated 35-40 kilometers away from Mangalore in Dakshina Kannada District. The convent has a rural setting with its hills and valleys, forest and fields. Houses are few and far. People in 1930s were mostly illiterate, simple and lived a life of harmony with their Hindu neighbours. The Catholics were rich in faith.
When Rev. Fr Marian Castelino was the Parish Priest of St Paul’s Church, in 1930, he invited the Bethany Sisters to start a convent in Balkunje.
The construction of the convent building was started in April 1930 with the help of the parishioners and local people. Slowly and steadily the humble residence of the sisters took shape on 8th June 1930 on the feast of the Pentecost. The parishioners and the parish priest received the pioneer Sisters Margaret, Lazarus, Xavier and Stanislaus along with Rev. Fr Mascarenhas and the Superior General Mother Martha. Sister Margaret was garlanded at Kadama and brought in a procession to the parish Church. After the Benediction, the Sisters were led in procession to the Providence Convent, Balkunje. The convent building was blessed and dedicated to Christ the King and named as Providence Convent. The sisters began their mission in the school, church and locality. The Decennial anniversary of the Convent was celebrated in a befitting manner on 8th June 1940.
A new page was opened in the history of Providence Convent when Rev. Fr. Alexander Lobo, the Parish Priest took the initiative to begin St Paul’s High School in Balkunje and entrusted the responsibility of Management and Administration of the school to the Bethany sisters. Sr Lisia was the Superior of the convent. The plot for the High school was registered on 31st March and Sr Wilberta took up the responsibility as Headmistress on a temporary basis. Later Sr Marie Emilda continued to be the Head Mistress and the permission for recognition from Mysore was obtained. In 1979 the Golden Jubilee of the convent was celebrated and in the year 2007 a boarding house was opened. At present there are 63 children in the boarding. Providence convent is forever grateful to Fr Founder Mgr RFC Mascarenhas and the Pioneers, for their vision that has bestowed on them this incomparable living abode of service to humanity. At present Sr M Zenita BS is the Superior of the Convent. Sisters join with her in fulfilling the mission of Jesus .
Year of Establishment : 08.06.1930