Sr M Prabath BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
Teaching ministry
Medical ministry
Under the shadow of Madikeri hills, crowned by the majestic Western Ghats, within the remote Malnad reserve forests, amid lush green rubber plantations, stands Queen of the Missions Convent Sampaje in Sulia Taluk.
Mission work was the forte of Sr Gertrude. Rev. Fr Leo Antony Cutinho, the parish priest of Sampaje is another missionary priest who had succeeded in bringing her to Sampaje at his request to Fr Founder Mgr RFC Mascarenhas. Prior to this, efforts were made to cater to the spiritual needs of a few Tulu Christian families in Sampaje by Rev. Fr Elias P. Dias visiting them only on Sundays and concluding his mission of the day with a Holy Eucharist. The real missionary work was left to Fr Leo Anthony Cutinho who started primary education to the Catholic children, much against the wishes of the nearby Board School. He was badly in need of Religious Sisters who could join him in his work among these people. The local Congregation would not oblige his request. Then he approached Bethany Sisters. Mother Priscilla, the then Superior General, could not find Sisters to send to Sampaje. But Rev. Fr Leo Anthony Cutinho was persistent and got what he wanted. He was also a friend of Fr Founder Mgr RFC Mascarenhas. Meanwhile Mother Macrina became the Superior General. She too was concerned to send the sisters to Sampaje at the risk of the school having no grants. She did not want the sisters to suffer any hardships regarding their maintenance. Finally Fr Founder Mgr RFC Mascarenhas called Sr Gertrude and asked her if she could join Fr Leo Anthony Cutinho in his mission. Ever zealous missionary Sr Gertrude willingly agreed in spite of the uncertainty of the future. On reaching there in awe she said, “This is God’s work and I shall not go back. Residing in the sacristy of the church she did the work of a teacher, cook, sacristan and catechist. After a week Sr Columba joined her. Both of them would visit Tulu Christian families after their classes in the school.
The Sisters, although a few in number in the community, recall with love and admiration late Rev. Fr Leo Anthony Cutinho whose exemplary life and ardent zeal for missionary work won for Jesus Christ a large number of souls. The journey of faith of the pioneering Sisters of the Congregation helps them continue their mission, pastoral work in particular in Sampaje with buoyant courage. The healing ministry of Jesus is carried on with ever more zeal in the Anugraha Centre. They wait with hope for God’s own time to know His will in their ongoing yes with Mary the queen of the Missions.
Year of Establishment : 09-01-1960