MOTHER MARIE DES
ANGES ( 1845 to 1909 )
Steadfast and strong in faith, she guided the
Apostolic Carmel, from the time of its inception till her death forty
years later. She steered its course from practically the very beginning
of the Congregation. She was among the first candidates to be received
by Mother Veronica,
the foundress; one of the first three to come to India immediately
after her profession; the first novice mistress, a post she held for
twenty-two years; and the first superior general, filling that office
for nearly forty years. Her strength of purpose, her clear-sightedness
and humility were her support. Hers was the task of deepening the
Spirit, strengthening the foundations, consolidating and returning to
commitment. Her forty years of unbroken leadership brought the
congregation, before her death, to a point where all looked up to her
and the other sisters for the solid education and the all round
training they imparted in their schools.
MOTHER M. ALOYSIA ( 1855 to 1939 )
A keen witted, wide in outlook and sympathy, a
sharp judge of
character, outspoken in defence of truth, clinging fiercely to
principle, Mother Aloysia was none-the-less gentle, cheerful and kind.
She stood at the pilot's wheel for eighteen long years over a critical
period. In 1926 the Constitutions were sent to the Holy See and the
Decree of Praise obtained. It was a red letter day in the history of
the A.C. It was spring time in the field of A.C. education, with
schools renewed, new ones built, syllabi revised and modernised. The
crown of her educational work was Saint Agnes First Grade College, the
first Catholic womens college, which today has more than a thousand
young girls on its rolls. In the field of education her name still
conjures up a vision, restores ideals and awakens inspiration.
MOTHER M. JOSEPHINE ( 1886 to 1963 )
She went down the road of perfection to the
last detail, dutiful and firm, yet gracious and elegant was Mother
Josephine, who was destined to be at the helm for eighteen years. She
opened twenty-five convents in quiet towns and noisy cities. Prayer was
the strength of her life, and she never tired of speaking of prayer to
the sisters she had to guide. She established kingdoms - not to display
military prowess, but established communities dedicated to Christ and
Our Mother of Carmel, promoting literacy, and assisting the needy, in
areas which European congregations had not penetrated. She, with the
zeal and co-operation of the A.C.s of her time tapped virgin soil in India and Sri Lanka.
MOTHER M. ANNUNCIATA ( 1891 to 1936 )
Strong in the spirit, but frail in health, she
was willing to die for the Congregation, if not able to serve it in
this life. In twenty months she saw the dawn of the eternal day.
Gentle, quiet, unassuming, a woman of the gentle touch was Mother
Annunciata. Her first task was the revision of our Constitutions and so
they were sent to the Press. The Bond of Love to be maintained by the
Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel is a legacy and pious tradition was
started by her. During her short tenure she opened one convent at
Tambaraam, Tamil
Nadu.
MOTHER M. SYLVIA ( 1902 to 1977 )
Outstanding in learning even as in spiritual
depth, she served with zeal as Mistress of Novices before being elected
as Superior General. During her two terms of office she opened no less
than twenty-six convents. She was one of the most talented sisters of
the Apostolic Carmel. Though frail in health, she had twelve years of
toil, struggle, foundations, interviews and journeys even to Rome to a
conference of Major Superiors. Perfect to the core she called her
sisters to scale higher heights.
MOTHER M. THEODOSIA ( 1899 to 1995 )
As the pilot at the helm in the centenary
year, her name "God's Gift" rightly means so. With broad vision and
strength of mind, she steered the Institute as Superior General during
the challenging post Vatican II years and initiated the renewal and
adaptations of the religious life demanded by the Holy See. Her
distinctive service to the Church in India will always be remembered in
Institute Mater Dei, Goa
and the CRI (women's Section) of which she was the Founder President.
The country recognized her singular services to the people. The "Award
of Honour" for 'outstanding persons' in South Kanara, and Kaiser-i-Hind
silver medal was awarded in 1946. The Padma Shree award was bestowed on
her by the President of India in 1971 and finally in 1990 the Women's
Association of Patna honoured her, the grand old religious woman of
India, with a citation and token gift, to express their lasting
gratitude to her.
MOTHER M. CARMELITA ( 1972 to 1984 )
A woman of God, a woman for others, Mother
Carmelita was blessed with a great mind and a great heart. She
possessed in generous measure, initiative, tact and a fine sense of
humour, determination and common sense. Her greatest achievement if it
may be termed so was the birth of a new spirit in the Apostolic Carmel
-- the love of Carmel. She organised the Archives of the Congregation
on a scientific database along sound historical lines. It was through
her initiative largely that the 'veiled' figure of the Foundress of the
Apostolic Carmel, Mother
Veronica of the Passion emerged. Thirty-six new convents
were opened, forging ahead into Pakistan. Her other tasks were the
opening of "Maria Kripa" the house of prayer and centre for Indian and
Carmelite Spirituality, the annexe for the old and sick sisters at
Maryhill Convent, Mangalore
and the Apostolic Carmel Seva Kendra at Bangalore
for wider outreach to the poor.
MOTHER MARIELLA ( 1984 to 1996 )
A far sighted architect of structural buildings, a person
of prayer and a lover of the poor and marginalised, she led the
Congregation forward with commitment towards the initiation of the
Cause of the beatification of our Foundress, Mother Veronica. She took a bold step
in faith for an opening in the Eternal City, Rome
and the Continent of Africa.
The idea of Apostolic Carmel Associates was mooted by her. Her keen and
active interest in both the initial and on-going formation of the
sisters resulted in a new place of residence 'Saranya' - a boon not
only for the juniors' extended formation and A.C. groups but even to
other Religious Congregations.
Very Rev. SISTER M. VINCENT A.C. ( 1996 to 2008)
The person at the helm at the start of the new
Millennium was Very Rev. Sr. Vincent, steering the wheel with love of
God and man. A person of farsighted vision, meticulous planning,
creative thinking and human empathy, she extended the A.C. apostolate
by taking over the administration of the Home for the Aged in Perugia,
Italy. She strengthened the links with the Betharram Fathers and their
co-foundress, Blessed Mary
of Jesus Crucified by accommodating them at Maria Kripa.
It was she who organised and trained sisters to direct the A.C. journey
of sisters, staff and students through Charism retreats. She
implemented the idea of extending the A.C. family to lay associates
viz. Apostolic Carmel
Associates and Carmel Blossoms. The first part of the
diocesan process of the Cause of Mother Veronica was concluded and has
now obtained the Decree of Validity to this effect.
Very Rev. SISTER AGATHA MARY A.C. ( 2008 - 2014 )
Very Rev. Sr. Agatha Mary is the 10th Superior General of the Apostolic Carmel. She was elected on May 18, 2008 at the 18th Ordinary General Chapter of the Congregation. She assumed her servant leadership in the spirit of the Master, with a forward looking hope of walking in the footsteps of her predecessors. Her deep faith in God, spirit of prayer and simplicity of life makes her stand in the strength of God. The gifts of her heart and mind–sustained attention to study the signs of the times and to respond to them, personal touch towards the sisters, especially the aged and ailing, compassion and respect for God’s poor put in action by providing shelter to many needy families, her efforts in greening the earth and increasing water resources everywhere and above all her experience of having led the Province of Karnataka for four terms, will go a long way to bring blessing and fruitfulness to her new leadership. The Institute looks to her to carry forward the cause of Mother Veronica and raise her to sainthood. She will be ushering in the first death centenary year of Mother Marie des Anges, the first Superior General of the Apostolic Carmel.
At the Helm:
Very Rev. SISTER M. SUSHEELA A.C. ( 2014 )
The 18th of May 2014 was indeed an auspicious day for the A.C. family as Sr. M. Susheela A.C. assumed office as the 11th Superior General of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation, along with her Councillors. May the good Lord continue to shepherd His Chosen One and lead her to fresh and green pastures. We pledge our love, loyalty and obedience to our new leader and look forward to new horizons of being God's compassionate presence in the world through the leadership of the new team!
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