Queen of Angels' Community
Queen Of Angels' Convent
F ounded with the noble intention of providing a safe haven for working women, the Queen of Angels’ Convent is located at Vallakadavu, the scenic intersection between the Arabian sea and the Parvathy Puthanar Lake. The Convent is the culmination of the vision of Mother Angela who wished to establish a Convent to see to the needs of working women and thereby encourage women to seek employment and be financially and socially empowered. In 1993, a quaint private hospital named Mable Cottage and the adjoining forty two cents of land was purchased from Dr. Tony Fernandez, a devout Catholic. All the renovations were completed by 1995. Mother Angela oversaw the preparations for the blessing ceremony, but her untimely demise the very same year saw the Convent remaining closed for the next four years.
The sisters of the Infant Jesus Convent School, Murukkumpuzha were accommodated in this Convent in 1999 as they were facing hostilities from the locals. The Convent was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and named ‘Queen of Angels’. The Blessing of the Convent was done by Rev. Fr Patric on 10th April 1999 at 6. 30 pm. The Vicar of Valiyathura Forane Rev. Fr. Joseph Gomez, Cappuchin Fathers Rev.Fr Sunil and Rev.Fr James blessed this occasion with their prayer and presence. Our Superior General Mother Mary Frances, Sr. Mary Lilian, Sr. Mary Agnes, Sr. Mary Ursula, Mother Bernada and some of our sisters from All Saints’ were present for the Blessing ceremony.
The sisters of the Murukkumpuzha Community effortlessly blended with the life at Valiyathura and became active members of the spiritual and social community of the local people. The Murukkumpuzha community had Sr. Lucy Mary as the Superior and Sr. Mary John, Sr. Lily, Sr. Lourdes, Sr. Trudy, Sr. Flory and Sr. Piereina as members. Though they travelled at 6.30 A.M every day to Murukkumpuzha and returned only by 6 P.M, they enthusiastically participated in the activities of St. Xavier’s Church, Valiyathura. The Convent was also graced by the presence of Sr. Mary Evangelist, the Regional Superior.
By July 1999, The mission of the Convent was already on its way to realization as 19 aspirants under the guidance of Sr. Bernice were housed in the Convent. From then on, the Convent became home to young sisters pursuing their studies at All saints’ College and St. Roch’s Training College.
This continued till June 2001, when the bifurcation of the communities was announced by Sr. Mary Lilian, the then first Councilor on 20 June 2001. Sr. Mary Effy was appointed as the first superior of the Queen of Angels’ Convent and Sr Lucy Mary and her sisters shifted to Murukkumpuzha the same year. The Queen of Angels’ Community functioned as CCR study house under the leader ship of Sr. Mary Effy. Sr. Evangelist continued to stay with the Queen of Angels’ Community. With the arrival of the Junior Mistress, Sr. Elsy Paul, the Convent became a Juniorate. . During that period juniors and some senior sisters were studying at All Saints’ College and St. Roch’ Training College, Thope. This young community became involved with the welfare of the local community.
Another milestone in the history of the Convent was in 2006 when, as per the decisions of the XVI General Chapter, the decentralization of governance led to the establishment of three provinces and two delegations. The Queen of Angels’ Convent was the temporary Provincial House for the Southern Province and housed the Provincial Sr. Mary Elma and her team. In 2011, the Provincial and her team moved to the new Provincialate at Thazhuthala, Kottiyam.
In 2012 the new Animator Sr. Nirmala Vincent took charge of the Community. The present Community consists of Sr. Helen as the Superior and Sr. Maxine, Sr. Bessy. Sr. Phyllis, Sr. Eunice and Sr. Jacintha as the members. The members are involved in the Catechetical Ministry of two Churches, St. Xavier’s church and St. Antony’s church. The Sisters have also taken responsibilities as Parish Council members, Sister Animators of Catechetical Ministry and BCC coordinators. They prepare the young children for their first Holy Communion. The Sisters also reach out to adult non-Christians and are taught Catechism. They also help couples understand the gravity of sacred matrimony. Thus, the Queen of Angels’ Convent works tirelessly to ensure the spirit of charity and love and the teachings of Christ are kept alive in the hearts of all those who come in contact with it.