Our Lady’s Convent

Address

Our Lady’s Convent,
Mathagondapalli P.O. – 635 114,
Krishnagiri Dt.,
Tamil Nadu,

Telephone: (04347) 237201, 237136
Mob:(0) 9047570726 ,
Hospital: 237155,
E-mail: olcmadagondapalli@yahoo.com.

No of Religious : 14

Services

In 1937, in response to the invitation of Most Rev. Henry Prunier, the then Bishop of Salem. The three pioneers were sent to Mathagondapalli Namely Sister Antoine Marie, Sister St. Paul and Sister Marie Joseph.

At that time hygiene and health care, literacy rate as also the faith of the people was very low. There was a huge task ahead but nothing daunted the spirit of our sisters. They walked miles and miles distributing medicine to the sick, picking up unwanted children thrown on the wayside and caring for them. The first child they admitted was named Angeline and thus started the orphanage on August 14, 1937. A small dispensary was started on August 5, 1937. In 1960, they extended their service to Mathigiri once a week. Visualizing the need of establishing a small hospital, Bishop Selvanather offered the land while Misereor constructed the present Lourdes Hospital opened on February 11, 1971 with 25 beds, better equipped for a greater service. Today, this healing ministry is carried out by the sisters along with a resident doctor and other lay staff, both professionally and technically qualified.

Sr. Jacintha began a non-formal school to fight illiteracy by sitting under a tree, ringing the bell and offering sweets to attract the children grazing cattle nearby, her perseverance and endurance triumphed. Two schools with Tamil and Telugu as the medium of instruction were opened on November 30, 1957. Today there is a Primary School with 600 children and a High School which was upgraded in 1987 with 760 children. With her indomitable will power and courage and big strides Sr. Eugène Marie walked miles and miles each day to collect grains to feed the destitute children. Today, the Indira Gandhi Home – the Home for Children shelters 126 children under the able guidance and selfless service of Sr. Marie Benoit who not only cares for the children but also ensures their education through sponsorship programmes.

In 1984, Sr. Elise Mary initiated the Community Health Program, a Mobile Clinic and an Awareness Program. Self-employment schemes were introduced along with M.C.H and vaccination programme. Food from Caritas was distributed besides classes for mothers to educate them in child care and child welfare. The sisters assist the parish team in faith formation, through catechism classes, associations, family visits and conducting prayer services.
There is also an effort made to reach out to the young girls through the tailoring classes. They are helped to buy sewing machines at a discounted price.