I, Sister Mary Marjorie of Jesus Crucified, C.C.R. (Mary M.), am the daughter of the late Mr. Gabriel and Mrs. Mariamma. I am the eighth of twelve children in a devout Catholic family. Sadly, I never met two of my siblings, who passed away in infancy. Nine of us grew up in a disciplined and loving home, sharing joys and struggles. By God's grace, four brothers and two sisters remain alive, though one sister is half-bedridden.
A Call, Gift and Service. God constantly calls us to be and to do. It is a joy and privilege to be a member of the Congregation of the Carmelite Religious (CCR). Rooted in God’s unconditional love, we are called to embrace ourselves just as we are—authentic, selfless persons who build relationships and community. This is where true joy begins: in living as children of God, in communion with Him and one another. Ultimately, our joy flows from God Himself, who calls us from the moment He forms us in our mother’s womb until He calls us again into new life through the tomb.
It was truly God’s plan that I became a member of the CCR family. My desire to join religious life was first kindled when I listened to the Sisters of the CSST during Sunday School. After completing my 10th standard, I attended a vocation camp at one of the CSST convents. Some days later, accompanied by our Sunday School Headmistress, I travelled to Kochi to meet some Sisters for an interview. There, I met Sr. M. Laura and Sr. Celine Kallarakal. To my surprise, I discovered that Sr. Celine was related to my father. After the interview, Sr. Laura informed me and my companions that we were to come to Ernakulam with all our belongings on the 6th of June 1981.
As Christians, one of the greatest blessings is to realize that in spite of our humble background, we have been chosen by God to experience His goodness. I realized that serving Him is a thousand times better than enjoying the fleeting pleasures of this world. However, being chosen and blessed is not only a privilege but also a great responsibility. I am indeed happy to be His spouse. I, Sr. Philomena N.M., was about seven years old when I first came into contact with the C.T.C. Sisters. I began my schooling at Little Flower Convent School in Panaiakulam, Aluva. From my early childhood, I had a strong desire to become a religious sister, as I was blessed to live close to the convent where the Sisters resided—it was just a five-minute walk from my home.
My journey to Religious Life was a remarkable one, marked by GOD’s great mercy and intervention. As the eldest child in my family that spoiled me with luxuries, I wasn’t raised with a strong spiritual foundation. In fact, prayer wasn’t a part of my life. However, everything changed when I attended a Retreat. The experience ignited a deep desire within me to pray and connect with GOD. As I began to cultivate a prayer life, an old dream resurfaced- to become a nun. Without hesitation, I sought GOD’s guidance, asking for specific five signs to lead me to the right Congregation. Miraculously, every sign was answered, guiding me to this CCR family.
“I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me” — Philippians 4:13 I come from a humble village in Shrirampur, where I began my early schooling up to Standard Two. It was my grandfather’s wisdom and foresight that opened a new chapter in my life—he enrolled me in the boarding school at St. Joseph Convent, run by the Religious of RJMs Sisters. Life in the boarding was joyful and enriching, and I fondly remember the warmth and care of the sisters who became my guiding stars.
My Journey of Love: A Mission of Hope My journey of love began on 29th October 1997, when I was gifted to my loving parents, John Manual and Laila John, as their second daughter. My mother was a devout and prayerful woman who once desired to become a religious. She had deep devotion to Our Blessed Mother and to saints such as St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and St. Anthony, among many others. During our childhood, she taught my sister and me to love selflessly—without expecting anything in return. Through her life, she revealed to us the value of prayer, endurance, and redemptive suffering. I truly believe that she now enjoys the glory of the Lord in Heaven.
Mother of Carmel, and the Saints of Carmel, Pray for us.
Superior General
Sr. Molly Attully CCR
CCR Generalate,
All Saints’ Campus,
Chackai P.O
Thiruvananthapuram–695 007,
Kerala, India
Provincial Superior
Sr. Lucy Mary CCR
St. Therese’s Provincialate, House
“Pushpadhara”, Kizhavoor,
Mukhathala, P.O.
Kollam-691577
Provincial Superior
Sr. Wilma Mendes CCR
St. Teresa’s Provincialate,
Teresian Mansions,
St. Teresas’Campus, S. V. Road
Santacruz (W), Mumbai–400 054
Provincial Superior
Sr. Jane Bavelil CCR
St. Joseph’s Provincialate,
Sachidanand Niwas
Opp.Mahalakshmi Lawns
Nagar Road, Aple Ghar Kharadi,
Pune-411014
© 2025 The Congregation of The Carmelite Religious. All Rights Reserved.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Superior General
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.
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.
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.
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.
Secretary General
Served as a teacher in:
Assistant Headmistress at Tassia Catholic Primary and Nursery School, Nairobi, Kenya.
Animator at Little Flower Convent, Nairobi, Kenya.
Appointed as General Secretary in 2023.
Bursar General
Primary Teacher & Office Administrator,
St. Paul’s Convent School, Dadar
Assistant Teacher:
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)