Carmelite Missionaries | Province of India

Founded 1860 in Spain • Serving India Since 1954

Sign of Communion in the Church & World

An international Carmelite family present across 40 countries, dedicated to contemplative prayer and uplifting humanity.

Explore Indian Itinerary

Girl Child & Women Empowerment

Healing, Education & Self-Help Groups

From the Leprosy Hospital in Junagadh to nine states across India, bringing dignity to remote communities.

Sisters Feast & Birthdays

1860

Founded in Spain

By Fr. Francisco Palau

Countries Worldwide

Global Carmelite Family

1954

Arrival in India

Junagadh Leprosy Hospital

Indian States

Schools, SHGs & Clinics

Our Calling in India

From Junagadh (1954) to 9 States

Invited by the Indian Government to care for leprosy sufferers, we now empower women and educate the girl child.

Foundation Cradle (1954)

Gujarat

Where Spanish sisters began at the Junagadh Leprosy Hospital. Today serving tribal welfare and youth education.

Social & Parish

Maharashtra

Pastoral care, women self-help initiatives, and community dispensary services in rural belts.

Provincial Seat

Karnataka

Kodathi Provincial House, novitiate formation, and girls' academic coaching.

Healthcare & Education

Andhra Pradesh

Schools promoting education for underprivileged girl children and maternal health clinics.

Tribal Outreach

Odisha (Orissa)

Self Help Groups (SHGs), village skill development, and rural primary healthcare.

Youth & Vocation

Jharkhand

Tribal educational apostolates, boarding facilities, and youth vocational training centers.

Pastoral & Elderly

Kerala

Palliative healthcare, care of the elderly, and parish pastoral ministries.

Himalayan Mission

Sikkim

Education of mountain children and promoting self-reliance among remote village women.

Frontier Mission

Arunachal Pradesh

Hostels for remote border students, village catechism, and primary health aid.

Historic Pilgrimage

Congregation Itinerary & India History

The Carmelite Missionaries in India

We the Carmelite Missionaries were founded by Fr. Francisco Palau, a Carmelite Priest from Spain in 1860. As an international Congregation present in forty countries worldwide, our core charism is to be a sign of communion in the Church and in the world.

Our Congregation has been present in India since 1954. The Indian Government officially invited our pioneering Spanish Sisters to serve in the Leprosy Hospital of Junagadh, Gujarat. Embracing Christ in the wounded, our sisters brought dignity, medicine, and love to those cast aside by society.

Varied Apostolates & Priorities in India:

Today, we minister across 9 states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Jharkhand, Kerala, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Education of the Girl Child: Boarding facilities and schools in remote tribal villages to break the cycle of poverty.
Women Empowerment: Organizing rural women into Self Help Groups (SHGs) for financial self-reliance and dignity.
Healthcare: Rural mobile health clinics, dispensaries, and leprosy/palliative support.
Social & Pastoral Work: Collaboration with parish communities, youth animation, and catechism.

Community Fraternity

Sisters' Birthdays & Patronal Feasts

Praying with and honoring our consecrated sisters on their special personal days.

Birthday

Sr. Marykutty Mathew

Provincial Superior • Kodathi, Karnataka

September 12

Feast Day

Sr. Sonia Delcita Mendonca

Education Apostolate • Gujarat Mission

Feast: February 02

Birthday

Sr. Yoginia Rymbai

Pastoral & SHG • Northeast Unit

April 27

Feast Day

Sr. Meena Jancy

Healthcare & Dispensary • Jharkhand

Feast: October 15

Liturgical & Province Life

Upcoming Events & Calendar

Important feast days, provincial assemblies, retreats, and anniversaries.

Province Liturgical Schedule

OCT 15

Solemnity of St. Teresa of Ávila

Patroness and Mother of the reformed Carmel; observed across all houses in India.

NOV 07

Feast of Blessed Francisco Palau (Founder Day)

Congregation-wide liturgical celebration and annual renewal of vows.

DEC 03

Feast of St. Francis Xavier

Patronal feast of the St. Francis Xavier Province, India.

FEB 02

World Day of Consecrated Life

Perpetual profession renewal and vocation promotion in parishes.

JUL 16

Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Patronal feast of the entire Carmelite Order; investiture of scaptulars.

Prayer Petitions

Our sisters keep your families in daily adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

Our Venerable Father

Blessed Francisco Palau y Quer

1811 – 1872 • Founder of the Carmelite Missionaries • Beatified in 1988 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Francisco Palau

Carmelite Priest & Founder

“Look at the Church: contemplate her in God, and serve her in humanity.”

Patronal Feast: November 7

Our Living Charism

St. Francis Xavier Province, India

Vocation Discernment

Hear His Calling

Are you called to be a sign of communion in the Church and the world?

Vocation Enquiry Form

Contact the Vocation Directress of St. Francis Xavier Province, India.