Here we began

History

The beginning of Ashraya Mission

10th July 2003 was a heavy rainy day, sisters were on their way for the holy Eucharistic celebration, in the evening. They were disturbed to see an unconscious man on the roadside lying in his own excreta, full of wounds, and Sr. Hilary met the Lord on the way in the form of Christ whom she was going receive in the holy Eucharist, she ventured to pick him up by herself and brought him home. Since he could not speak she named him Manju, (a DEW Drop) which began with tiny step today reached to boundless horizons. Since then he became the first member of this Unseen & unplanned home Now which is known as Alzira Oasis "NAMMA ASHRAYA". The whole night the sisters kept awake to monitor him as he had continuous convulsions. Manju then weighed just 29 kilos.

As the news spread in the town of Nanjangud that the angels have appeared to reach out to the Destitutes and have picked up a man from the road, Nanjangud Govt hospital called the sisters on requesting to take in two more destitutes one with paralyzed state and the other one with multiple fractures lying in the hospital for more than 20 days, though there were not enough facilities to take care yet they said YES! Because they trusted in the providence of God. They knew God makes use of ordinary people to take care of the least one, unwanted, neglected children of the society, within 3 days the number increased to 3 in Karunalaya.

As the days, months and years passed Sisters brought in wandering, homeless persons with mental illness, especially women and thus was born the present “ALZIRA OASIS – NAMMA ASHRAYA”. At present where all live as one family with 76 residence with 9 staff and Sisters who reach out to them in every need of theirs as one family of men and women.

A much care, a good bath, Change of clothes and a plate full of food and so on…… the change is Unimaginable.

Time spent... patiently and lovingly - gently getting rid of their Precious Personal belongings – old stinking rugs, plastics of all kinds and pet bottles in their precious bags. Cutting their MATTED hair, long dirty nails, a good bath and fresh clothes- and there we see a real magic which is God’s wonderful creation. Seen a DIGNIFIED HUMAN person.

Namma Ashraya: - "Our Shelter", yes truly an Oasis for the homeless person with mental illness, wandering on the Ooty bound road from Nanjangud, a well-known pilgrim Centre about 28 Kms from Mysore city. It is a boon for the shelter less persons with mental illness. It also has a hospital in the same campus with two doctors a visiting Psychiatrist and dedicated medical and non-medical staff who cater to their needs.

"Smooth seas do not make skilled sailors." (African proverb). "Step outside your comfort zone. That's where the magic happens." (Blaise Pascal). Surely today the vulnerable world awaits for the persons who can render a valuable compassionate service to the wounded humanity -Physically challenged, mentally affected, deaf & dumb from all over India, speaking different languages & dialects.

Here at Karunalaya our language is "compassionate Love and service!".

The Sisters of St.Charles Borromeo in India

The story of the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo in India has for its beginning the proclamation of Pope Pius XI, made in the year 1927. He, by a decree declared, St .Therese the Little Flower as the Patroness of the Missions and the Holy See made frequent appeals to the Congregations in Europe to send labourers to the mission fields.

On December 31, 1929 with the blessing of Pope Pius XI and under the protection of St. Therese the first house in India was opened at Ranipet. They established a school and an orphanage for the girls. Also a dispensary was opened. This first set up in Ranipet became a strong foundation for our Mission in India.

Growth and spread of the Congregation

The historical facts that precede its beginning enforce one to exclaim, ‘Great are the works of God!‘ The flourishing Congregation in India bears witness to God’s intricate ways. The unceasing grace of God has led the Congregation to spread and to give formation to the East, West and the North Provinces in India.

Today there are 64 houses in India, covering 12states serving the people through schools, hospitals, dispensaries, leprosaria, social work centers, homes for the aged, orphanages, boarding houses for the destitute children mid-day meal project for the poor school children, schools for the special children and so on.

The clarion call from overseas missions received a prompt reply from the Sisters. Today the Indian sisters are engaged in various ministries in Belgium, Argentina, Poland, Italy Tanzania, Uganda and Mexico. The remarkable change in the history of the congregation is that, India who was depending upon the foreign missionaries is sending her daughters to the overseas mission to serve.

Mother Marie Gerard

Pioneer