Chikkamagalur Community

Chikkamagaluru - Karnataka

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St. Joseph’s Convent, Chikmagalur

Year of foundation: 12th January1928

St. Joseph’s Convent in Chikmagalur was opened on 12th January 1928, thanks to the untiring efforts of the late Rev. Fr. William Texeira, the Parish Priest of Chikmagalur. Recognizing the need for sisters to support the education of the young, he and his parishioners appealed to the French sisters in Bangalore—through the Bishop of Mysore—to establish a convent in Chikmagalur.

This request was fulfilled when five founding sisters—Mother Germaine, Sister Victoria, Sister Gabriel, Sister Assumpta, and Sister Margareta—arrived to a jubilant welcome from the local community.

Mr. Louis M. G. Vas, a philanthropic planter, generously offered his newly built house near the bus stand for the sisters to live in. However, since the house was considered too far from the church, the sisters requested another place closer to it. Mr. Vas then offered them a tiled stable measuring 45 x 15 feet, with modest flooring, which they humbly accepted.

On 25th January 1928, the school was officially inaugurated. Mr. Vas presented a donation of 100 Francs to the sisters as a token of support. And so, the school began in a humble building, relying entirely on Divine Providence for its growth and success.

Objectives:

Personal transformation through forgiveness and reconciliation of self and others.
Principle of subsidiary and space for dialogue
Life of integrity and transparency
Value based and qualitative education
Sense of belonging and self sacrifice

Apostolates:

Education
St Joseph Nivas-SJC Boarding
Pastoral ministry
Family visits
The vulnerable group of the milieu (The aged)
SJT Lay associates
Josephite movement

The sisters actively participate in all the above-mentioned apostolates and community works alongside their mission of education. Their primary focus remains on teaching catechism, faith formation for all age groups, and wholehearted involvement in the various programmes of the Diocese. Regular family visits and prayer services conducted in homes—often in collaboration with our SJT lay associates—serve to foster deeper communion among the faithful.

The sisters also extend their care to the elderly and the neglected through targeted outreach groups, bringing comfort and hope to the lonely and abandoned. The Josephite Movement in the school instills in students the spirit of our SJT charism, nurturing them in faith, service, and commitment.

A Brief history of St Joseph’s Convent school, Chikkamagalur:

St. Joseph’s Convent School, Chikkamagaluru was established in the year 1928. It is administered by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes. This Religious Institute was founded on August 15, 1843, in a village called Cantaous, in the Diocese of Tarbes, France, by six young girls who had a profound spiritual experience of God.

This divine encounter inspired them to embrace a life of contemplation, deepen their sensitivity to the needs of those around them, and respond with compassion and dedication. They committed themselves wholeheartedly to serving others through education, care for the sick, and the upliftment of the downtrodden.

VISION STATEMENT

Our students are the gift of God and future citizens of our nation who will possess indelible moral values and a high degree of excellence as accorded by the grace of God, through their discernment, right decision, courage and hard work. They will lead the society in which they are placed in the right direction towards God—the ultimate reality, learning to live in unity and harmony wherever they are to journey towards this vision.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

“UNION WITH GOD HARMONY WITH ALL”

SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH OF TARBES (SJT) VISION OF EDUCATION:

Inspired by Jesus, our Divine teacher, and our Foundresses, we the Sisters of St Joseph of Tarbes Educational Society, Mysore feel urged.

♦ To make primary concern of building communion effective within the Institution and in the society around.

♦ To enable our Staff and students to grow in all aspects of human and spiritual life.

♦ To create an atmosphere in which they become persons actively responsible towards family, society, country and the world at large and thus promote love, peace and justice.

Our objectives in Education:

♦ To enable every student to tend towards wholeness.

♦ To inculcate in every student a sense of value, human and spiritual leading all to the Ultimate Reality God.

♦ To lead every student to selfless love & service becoming active, powerful and compassionate persons upholding justice and truth, promoting love, peace, reconciliation and liberation.

♦ To grow with a sense of respect for and sacredness of the whole God’s creation and strive to protect the environment.

Thus our students will be

Emotionally Mature
Intellectually Alert
Morally Sound
Spiritually Open and
Socially Committed

St Joseph Nivas- SJC Boarding House

Mother Anna Marie, the fourth superior of the community, played a significant role both within the community and among the people of the region. A woman of deep faith, she firmly believed in the Providence of God. Moved by compassion, she took the initiative to provide free education to poor children and offered them shelter in the boarding. The sisters embraced this noble mission with wholehearted dedication and commitment.

Though they faced financial challenges, the sisters trusted in Divine Providence. God did not abandon their efforts; instead, He supported them through the generous—though modest—contributions of kind benefactors. Over time, the strength of the school gradually increased, which in turn brought in better financial support, allowing the mission to flourish.

Since 1928, the boarding house has served as a shelter for children from the local area as well as students from distant places. The sisters placed great emphasis on the education of Catholic students within the Diocese. What began as a humble mission—like a tiny mustard seed—has, over the years, grown into a flourishing tree, nurturing and educating generations of students.

Today, St. Joseph Nivas is home away from home, to more than 150 school-going children. A new chapter in its history began on 3^rd September in the year 2023, with the blessing of the newly constructed boarding house by Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Swamy, Bishop of Chikmagalur Diocese, and its inauguration by Sr. Jeyarani Arulanandu, Provincial Superior of the Mysore Province.

OBJECTIVES:

To Provide a Safe and Nurturing Environment – Ensure a homely atmosphere where boarders feel safe, loved, and respected.

To Foster Spiritual Growth – Encourage regular prayer, reflection, and spiritual practices that nurture a deep relationship with God.

To Promote Personal Discipline and Responsibility – Help students develop self-discipline, time management, and a sense of personal responsibility in daily life.

To Support Academic Excellence – Provide structured study hours and academic support to help students achieve their full potential.

To Build a SJT Spirit of Community Living – Teach the values of cooperation, unity, sharing, empathy, and mutual respect through communal life.

To Encourage Healthy Habits and Hygiene – Instill good habits related to cleanliness, health, nutrition, and personal well-being

To Develop Leadership and Life Skills – Offer opportunities for students to grow in confidence, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.

To Maintain a Strong Bond with Families – Strengthen connections with parents through regular communication and shared responsibility in the child’s growth.

Over the years, the sisters of the community have remained deeply connected with the students through their dedicated involvement in various aspects of boarding life. They actively engage in daily activities such as prayer, shared reflection, and study support, supervision during meals, and promoting health and hygiene. Their wholehearted commitment ensures the holistic development of the children, with a strong focus on both personal growth and academic excellence.

The students are encouraged joyfully celebrate the feasts of the SJT Congregation, especially SJT Foundation Day and the Feast of St. Joseph. They are also given ample opportunities to showcase their talents during major celebrations like Teachers’ Day and Christmas. With enthusiasm and a sense of belonging, the students participate fully in the life of the boarding and the school.