Milestones of CCR

January 8, 2025

The Golden Jubilee Celebration of Holy Angels Novitiate was solemnly inaugurated.

December 23, 2023

The Closing Ceremony of the Bicentennial Birth Anniversary of Venerable Mother Veronica washeld at Holy Angels’ Convent, Trivandrum. All the Family members of the Sisters from Trivandrum were warmly invited to partake in this special occasion.

May 24, 2023

At the XIX General Chapter, the Election of Sr. Molly Attully as the SuperiorGeneral.

October 1, 2022

Inauguration of the Bicentennial Birth Anniversary Celebrations of our Foundress, Venerable Mother Mary Veronica of the Passion. This momentous occasion took place during the first Pre-Chapter Session at Santa Cruz.

July 15, 2019

The Sesquicentennial celebrations culminated in a solemn closing ceremony, graced by the presenceof Sisters from both the CCR and the Apostolic Carmel at All Saints College, Trivandrum.

July 16, 2018

Special commemorative pilgrimage, 50 Sisters from the CCR and Apostolic Carmel journeyed through Paris, Pau, Lourdes, and Fatima, retracing the sacred footsteps of Venerable Mother Veronica. In Bayonne, they paid homage at her tomb.

May 3, 2018

Sesquicentennial Celebration in the A.C Generalate at Bangalore in the presence of 700 Sisters of the twin Congregations.

May 16, 2017

At the XVIII General Chapter, the Election of Sr. Mary Frances of Holy Mary as Superior General.

July 9, 2014

Our Holy Foundress, Mother Mary Veronica of the Passion, was declared Venerable by the Holy Father as per the Decree of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

December 8, 2010

Congregation’s pioneering Secondary School in the Diocese of Ngong, Kenya, was solemnly inaugurated — the First Educational Institution fully established and administered by the CCR in East Africa.

June 22, 2010

Approval of the Revised Constitutions and Directives, Congregation of the Carmelite Religious.

October 2009

An Extraordinary General Chapter to approve the Revised texts of Constitutions and Directives guided by Fr. Joe Tauro OCD.

November 18, 2006

Commemoration of the First Death Centenary Celebration of Mother Veronica at All Saints College.

June 06, 2006

The Election of Sr. Philomena Viegas as the First Provincial Superior of St. Joseph Province, Pune.

May 30, 2006

The Election of Sr. Geraldine as the First Provincial Superior of St. Teresa’s Province, Mumbai.

May 27, 2006

The Election of Sr. Mary Elma as the First Provincial Superior of St. Therese’s Province, Kottiyam.

MayJune 2006

Establishment of Three Provinces and Houses under the Centre.

July 16, 1999

Mother Veronica of the Passion was declared Servant of God during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II.

November 10, 1996

The CCR Generalate was shifted from Holy Angels Convent to All Saints’ Campus.

May 15, 1996

The election of Rev. Mother M. Frances of Holy Mary coincided providentially with the election of Sr. M. Vincent as the AC Superior General. This led to a change in thoughts and feelings in both Congregations.

May 31, 1990

Amended Constitutions approved. Establishment of the Congregation as four Regions.

December 6, 1979

Amended Constitutions approved for 10 years.

1977

Extension of the Congregation beyond Indian Borders and the apostolate included other works of mercy.

1975

Shift of the Holy Angels Novitiate from Trivandrum to Pune.

May 13, 1975

During the Tenth General Chapter Election of Rev. Mother M. Angela of the Resurrection.

AugustOctober, 1973

The Preliminary General Chapter and the Extraordinary General Chapter to revise the Constitutions as per the documents of Vatican Council II.

December 7, 1971

Foundation of Carmelite Convent of St. Thomas, Sandor, Bassein. The pioneers were Mother M. Adelrich, Superior, Sr. M. Jacob, Sr. M. Emmanuel and Sr. M. Augustine. They were led by Sr. M. Louise, Mother M. Archange’s delegate.

1968-1969

A Special General Chapter, held in two sessions for the work of renewal and aggiornamento of religious life in our Congregation, resulted in changes to the religious dress and permission for home visits.

November 13, 1957

Constitutions and Directives of the Congregation was definitively approved by Rome.

February 7, 1950

The Congregation was declared as a Pontifical Religious Institute. The Constitutions was revised and approved for seven years.

December 28, 1944

Election of Mother M. Louise of the Holy Angels as the Superior General, Growth of communities in the Congregation.

May 4, 1944

Death of Mother M. Archange. After such a Holy life of prayer and sacrifice Mother was well prepared to meet God and passed away peacefully.

October 18, 1939

Change in the name of the Congregation from the Third Order Apostolic of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Trivandrum to Congregation of the Carmelite Religious of Trivandrum (CCR) approved by Rome.

October 20, 1933

Our Co-Foundress, Mother Mary Elias of Jesus, breathed her last at St. Joseph’s Orphanage in New Norcia, Western Australia.

May 23, 1927

The opening of the Convent at Karwar. This Convent, which Mother M. Michael purchased at the cost of her life, was very dear to Mother M. Archange, for it bore her own name too and is a monument to Rev. Mother M. Michael of the Redemption.

December 28, 1926

The Election of Mother M. Archange of the Sacred Heart as the Superior General

June 21, 1926

Bishop Benziger blessed the corner stone of the new Convent at Neyyattinkara. Besides the Sisters of the Community, Rev. Mother M. Archange, Mother Marne Therese and three Priests. Mother. M. Michael was present for the blessing of the stone, but she had already expired before the blessing of the Convent.

May 9, 1926

The Death of Mother M. Michael in Mangalore on her way back from Karwar. The Sisters of the Great Carmel most readily agreed to lay out her body in their Chapel.

May 17, 1925

The Golden Jubilee of St Joseph’s Convent, Quilon and the entire Congregation participated in this celebration. Mother M. Michael with Bishop Benziger’s advice and assistance had obtained from Holy Father Pope Pius XI a Jubilee Blessing.

March 25, 1916

The Foundation of Sacred Heart Convent Anjengo by Mother M. Michael. With the celebration of the Solemn High Mass followed by the Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament.

December 18, 1908

The First General Chapter, and the Election of Mother M. Michael of the Redemption, the first Superior General. She was also the first aspirant who came with Mother Elias to Trivandrum from Cannanore.

1907

Amalgamation of the three Convents of Tuet, Trivandrum and Tangacherry by Bishop M. Benziger and the establishment of Mother House at Trivandrum.

November 16, 1906

Death of Mother Veronica. She had the consolation that her foundation resulted in the emergence of two Congregations.

April 20, 1904

The Arrival of Sisters M. Denis. M. Archange, M. Elisee and Teresa Mary of Jesus trained by Mother Elias. After two years on November 8, 1906 the arrival of Sr. M. Gerard.

June 16, 1900

Establishment of the Convent of Our Lady of the Missions at Ypres, Belgium by Mother Elias to train the Sisters for India.

March 4, 1900

The Departure of Mother M. Elias for Europe. In April, Mother M. Elias visits Mother Veronica of the Passion.

July 22, 1885

The Foundation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Tangacherry under the Superiorship of Sr. Ann Teresa.

November 10, 1880

Rev. Mother M. Elias of Jesus founded Holy Angels Convent at Trivandrum, with the purpose of educating the Catholic girls of the locality

December 12, 1879

Mother Marie des Anges opts to work with the Jesuits. Mother Mary Elias comes to Quilon to work with the Carmelites.

April 24, 1879

Passing of the Mangalore Mission into the hands of the Jesuits. Connections severed between Quilon and Mangalore.

May 16, 1875

The Foundation of St. Joseph’s Convent, Tuet, Quilon, at the request of Rt. Rev. Ildephonse Borgna, under the Superiorship of Mother Mary Augustine of the Cross

October 11, 1873

Closure of the Bayonne Foundation. Re-entry of Mother Veronica, as a novice into Carmel at Pau.

August 20, 1870

The Departure of three Carmelites trained by Mother Veronica for India: Sisters M. Elias, Marie des Anges and Mary Joseph. The Establishment of St. Ann’s Convent. Mangalore on November 19.

July 16, 1868

Foundation of the Regular Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel for the Missions in India by Mother Mary Theresa Veronica of the Passion at Bayonne, France, at the request of Fr. Marie Ephrem, a Discalced Carmelite Friar

Mother Mary Michael of the Redemption (1860-1926)

Mother Michael was our first Mother General. Elected in 1908, this first architect of our Congregation, established her foundations with steadfast courage and great patience despite lack of personnel and funds, the first one at Anjengo (1916), the next at Santacruz (1922) followed by another at Neyyatinkara (1926) and the last one at Karwar (1926) where she was called to her heavenly abode. She was at the helm from 1908 to 1926.
With a heart of gold, intrepid spirit and the virtue of a saint, Mother M. Michael proved herself a skilled captain steering the ship of the infant Congregation through stormy waters and safely to harbour, with firm faith and confidence in God. She had the satisfaction of seeing the Congregation firmly established.

Every moment of her life was characterized by the spirit of humility, simplicity and charity to the poor, the sick and the orphaned. God accepted every sacrifice made by Mother M. Michael for the sake of the Congregation she loved so well and served so nobly – even the supreme sacrifice of dying and being interred far from her beloved daughters in Mangalore

Rev. Mother Mary Archange of the Sacred Heart (1879-1944)

Mother Archange, our second Mother General was trained by Mother Mary Elias of Jesus at Ypres in Belgium. Her great and loving heart was ever open to all and she devoted her life especially to the poor and needy in the missions in India. Concentrating on prayer and spirituality she used her talents in God’s service, to draw her Sisters nearer to God. The sentiments voiced by an English lady, D. H. Watts, an ex-student of Holy Angels’ School capture Mother’s beautiful personality. “With spiritual qualities she combined an intellect, disciplined by reading of the literature of more than one country, the intuition and receptivity of an accomplished musician and artist, a talent for organization and reaching straight to the heart of things and understanding our human frailty. Hers was the all- embracing charity, which Christ ranked above all other virtues.”
An outstanding educationist, blessed with generosity and greatness of heart, she was also an ardent lover of nature. Her sincerity and straight-forwardness, her culture and refinement, her foresight and zeal, her love for the Church and the Congregation did much to lead the Sisters along the path of progress. Mother Archange was Mother General from 1926-1944.

Rev. Mother Mary Louise of the Holy Angels (1882-1981)

A towering personality, Mother M. Louise our third Mother General infused in her daughters a deep Carmelite Spirituality. Mother incessantly endeavoured to instill in her daughters, by example more than by precept, a love for prayer and the interior life even while engaged in the active apostolate of teaching, caring for the destitute and orphans.

A good helmsman, Mother M. Louise was steadfast in spirit, sturdy of heart and steady of purpose, both spiritually and morally. Her virtue was genuine and truly heroic. The light of the Holy Spirit, a guiding star all through her life, infused into Mother prudence, tact and discretion.
Mother’s term from 1944 to1975 was an era of expansion, progress and change for the Congregation. During her term the Congregation was declared a Pontifical Religious Institute in 1950 and the brown Carmelite habit was changed to white. The vestition ceremony was replaced by the Rite of Initiation into the Religious Life. Foundations increased in countries outside India.

Rev. Mother Mary Angela of the Resurrection (1916 - 1995)

Mother Angela, our fourth Mother General was a gracious and elegant person who steered the Congregation to great heights. As a leader, she was strikingly superior in every respect first as Secretary General, as Councillor and later as Mother General. With authority, fervent energy and an irresistible urge for perfection, she forged ahead, fostering unity and ensuring that the Sisters did their best.

A pioneer in many ways Mother started a New Novitiate in Pune due to the increase in the number of Aspirants during her time. Sisters were sent abroad for studies. Twenty-three Convents were started both in India and outside. Mother offered the services of our Congregation to the International Church in Rome – Collegio Missionaries Internazionale San Paolo Apostolo. The All Saints’ College was her biggest enterprise in the field of education. The Congregation was divided into four Regions for better administration and support as it had grown considerably during her tenure. Regional delegates were appointed and the code of governance given.

Her commanding personality impressed one and all. A tower of strength and spirituality, her kindness, generosity, beneficence and munificence was unparalleled. Seminarians, Institutions, hospitals, families, several spiritual and social enterprises like the Home for the Aged were funded by her and even strangers benefited. With her charming smile, polite demeanour and the softness and warmth of a mother, she endeared herself to everyone.

Mother was at the helm for twenty years from 1975 to 1995. She was a beacon light to the coming generations, the dreamer and shaper of the Congregation’s destiny.

Rev. Mother Mary Frances of Holy Mary (1946)

Mother M. Frances, the fifth Mother General focused on development and renewal. She urged the sisters to update their knowledge in Theology, Biblical studies, academics and other professional courses. Her approach to renewal was to overhaul Formation and instill a deep Carmelite spirituality and love for the interior life even while being engaged in an active apostolate. Her simple, charming, humble and humane personality won the hearts of all who interacted with her. Her love for nature was phenomenal and she completely changed the landscape of All Saints’ College during her time as Principal. A seasoned orator she could hold an audience spellbound as she spoke. The highlights of her tenure were the shifting of the Generalate to the serene campus of the All-Saints’ College, organization of Provinces and the Revision of the Constitutions and Directives. Though faced with many challenges, Mother Frances forged ahead valiantly to open new convents in Assam, the United States of America and Africa.

Rev. Mother Mary Elma (1952)

Mother Mary Elma, the sixth Mother General, with deep faith and trust in God, accepted the role of Superior General, knowing that He who chose her would guide her all through. She worked zealously and sincerely for strengthening and developing the existing institutions. Prior to this Sister Elma was in the Formation team and thereafter she was elected Provincial of the Kerala Province. In her early days she was sent to Africa, where she worked whole heartedly in that mission. She was very sensitive to the needs and did her best to keep the boys cheerful and happy.

Soft spoken, calm and serene, with her gentle smile and sparkling wit, she added joy to the sisters on her rounds to the various convents, advising them to use freedom with responsibility.

Sr. M. Elma forged ahead with great fidelity to duty, firm in the assurance that God watched over her, leading her to guide the Congregation to green pastures.

Rev. Mother Mary Frances of Holy Mary (re - elected in May 2017)

A golden jubilarian in her religious life Mother M. Frances, the seventh Mother General bears the stamp of a sagacious, enterprising and dynamic leader. An astute visionary, an amazing organizer, a prayerful guide blessed with wisdom, prudence and efficiency beyond her years, her tenure marks the significant growth of the Congregation. She began her apostolate as a Professor in English at All Saints’ College, Trivandrum, teaching students at the UG and PG levels, instilling in them a love for the language. A gifted educator, her inspiring presence touched numerous young minds. As Principal in the same prestigious Institution, she renewed the infrastructure and led the Institution to lofty heights of excellence in academics and extra-curricular activities. From sandy dunes to a beautiful clean verdant paradise, the astounding transformation of the campus bears testimony to Mother’s ingrained love for nature and a deep concern for the ecology. Today as its Corporate Manager, she spearheads the move to revamp and re-energise the Institution in its march towards the future.

As Superior General for two and a half terms from 1996-2011, she shepherded the Congregation through its transitional phase which witnessed the decentralisation of power and the formation of Provinces. Blessed with innate humanity, a responsive heart, golden eloquence and wide contacts Mother is well known and loved. Re-elected in 2017, she leads the Congregation into the future, bestowed with grace, turning vision into reality.

Sr Molly Attully CCR

Superior General

An endearing personality blessed with a compassionate heart, Sr. Molly touched the lives of many as a Teacher and Head of Institutions in
  • Maria Assumpta Convent, Kashipur
  • Queen of Angels Convent H.S.S, Baruch, Gujarat.
  • Sacred Heart Convent H.S.S Mathura, U.P.
  • Lecturer in St. Teresa’s Institute of Education, Mumbai.
  • Holy Angels Convent H.S.S Trivandrum.
  • Elected General Councillor for Education and Mission in 2011
  • Re-elected as in 2017 as Assistant Superior General and was in charge of Spirituality and ongoing Formation.
  • In 2023 elected as the Superior General.

Sr Paulina I V CCR

General Councillor of Formation and Vocation Promotion

– Served as a Teacher, Headmistress and Animator.

– Councillor to the Provincial of St. Joseph’s Province, Pune from 2014- 2017.

– Vocation Promotor and Formator of St. Joseph’s Province, Pune.

– In 2023 elected as the General Councillor for Formation.

Sr Mary M M CCR

General Councillor of of Finance

– Served as a Teacher, Headmistress and Animator of Communities.

– Provincial Councillor of St. Therese’s Province, Kerala for Education and Mission from 2008- 2011.

– Elected as the Provincial Superior of St. Therese’s Province, Kerala from 2011- 2017.

– In 2017 elected as the General Councillor and in 2023 re-elected as the General Councillor for Finance.

Sr Clare D’Souza CCR

General Councillor of Education and Social Apostolate

– Served as a Teacher and Principal.

– Provincial Councillor of St. Teresa’s Province, Mumbai from 2006 – 2014.

– Provincial Superior for the St. Teresa’s Province, Mumbai from 2014- 2021.

– Elected as the 2nd General Councillor in 2023.

Sr Philda Varghese CCR

General Councillor of Spirituality and Ongoing Formation

– Served as a Teacher, Assistant Headmistress and Animator of the community.

– Assistant Provincial of St. Joseph’s Province, Pune from 2014- 2017.

– Provincial Superior of St. Joseph’s Province, Pune from 2017- 2023.

– In 2023 elected as the Assistant Superior General.

Sr Mary Carmel CCR

Secretary General

Served as a teacher in:

  • Infant Jesus Convent ISC School, Murukkumpuzha, Kerala.
  • Rosa Mystica Convent School, Kamalapuram, Telangana.
  • St. Teresa’s Secondary School, Mbooni, Kenya, East Africa.
  • Tassia Catholic Primary and Nursery School, Nairobi, Kenya.

Assistant Headmistress at Tassia Catholic Primary and Nursery School, Nairobi, Kenya.

Animator at Little Flower Convent, Nairobi, Kenya.

Appointed as General Secretary in 2023.

Sr Teresa Joseph CCR

Bursar General

Primary Teacher & Office Administrator,

St. Paul’s Convent School, Dadar

Assistant Teacher:

  • St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Jalgaon (1996 – 1998)
  • St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Khadki, Pune (1998 – 2007)

Secretary to the Provincial Superior (2007 – 2008)

Provincial Councillor in charge of Finance (2008 – 2014)

Principal, St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Khadki (2010 – 2022)

Provincial Bursar (2014 – 2017)

Animator – in Wagholi for one year. 2022- 2023

General Bursar (2023 – Present)