India

The School Sisters of St. Francis believe that every child has a right to an education, regardless of gender, class, or religion. We promote holistic development by encouraging students to grow in knowledge, self-reliance, social sensitivity, and ecological awareness, while also developing a growing consciousness of human dignity. Through education, students become ambassadors of social and ecological justice and can live in mutual friendship.

Chayyoth
Our sisters minister through education in this part of South India through the English Medium School. They also serve in the local parish, and their presence here has attracted young women interested in joining the community.

Following the compassionate example of Jesus, the School Sisters of St. Francis offer health care services that are people oriented and holistic.  We seek to provide healing in all spheres—physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional—by serving as doctors, nurses, counselors, and health educators.

Usri Village Dispensary and Clinic
Usri, Madhya Pradesh
In Madhya Pradesh, the sisters at the Usri village dispensary and clinic serve about 8,000 villagers from 10 surrounding communities. Utilizing a combination of traditional herbal remedies and modern Western medicine, the sisters also conduct classes on health and nutrition.

Health Clinic
Goreghat, Madhya Pradesh
In Goreghat, Madhya Pradesh, the sisters operate a clinic that serves impoverished tribal people, many of whom come on foot from great distances to be treated.  The dispensary provides critical health services to people who do not have another option for medical care, including those suffering from malaria, typhoid, tuberculosis, snake bites, and bone fractures.

Assisi Nikethan Clinic
Kanjikode, Kerala
At Assisi Nikethan Clinic in Kanjikode, sisters provide nursing care for low-income workers from the area’s steel companies.  These patients come from many different states within India and so speak a variety of languages. The sisters work to overcome these boundaries, providing primary health care for these workers.

In the diverse culture of India, the School Sisters of St. Francis play a vital role in pastoral care as we build communities through dialogue and friendship.  Spiritual support strengthens the bonds of love among cultures, and we foster this love through retreats, liturgical preparation, collaboration with neighborhood ministries, and inter-religious dialogues.  We encourage people to use their faith to help them respond to their hardships, and help to form young people into future community leaders.

Sisters also work throughout India visiting local families to provide guidance, prayer and fellowship wherever it is needed.

The School Sisters of St. Francis strive to bring justice, equality, dignity and harmony to all people, especially those who are marginalized and oppressed.  Through outreach and assistance, we help people to increase their self-esteem and receive the tools they need to become self-sufficient.  We respond to social issues through compassion, love, and friendship and act as instruments of peace and justice in our diverse society.

Asha Bhavan
Our sisters operate this home to provide shelter and care for destitute elderly women who have been abandoned by their families. The sisters provide help and hope, enabling the residents to regain their sense of self-worth and self-respect, while restoring their physical and mental health.

Formation of our sisters, especially for young girls who join us immediately after high school, is a continuous process of personal growth. It empowers them to be effective and affirmative ministers of God’s kingdom.  Formation embraces a harmonious development of body, mind and soul.

The heart of our formation process lies in the heritage of our foundresses and in Franciscan spirituality; in an extensive study of theology, Scripture, spirituality, psychology, missiology, yoga practices, art and music; and in a variety of ministry experiences, especially among physically and psychologically marginalized people.  The entire process of formation at all stages of life enables each member of our community to communicate the meaning of vowed life in today’s world and gives evidence of God’s presence in our midst.

St. Francis Convent
Koramangala, Bangalore
This mission in the City of Bangalore is home to sisters who are engaged in professional studies, young women preparing to be received into the novitiate, and sisters working in nearby Catholic schools and hospitals. On weekends, these women take part in the pastoral ministry of the Church.