St Joseph’s Convent

virajpet - kodagu - Karnataka

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History of St. Joseph’s Convent and the Locality of Virajpet, Kodagu

Brief History of the Community

In the year 1940, the Parish of St. Anne’s Church, Virajpet, had a primary school. Fr. I.B. Pinto, the parish priest, wanted to upgrade this school into a middle school. He approached Mother Leotade, the Superior of Mercara, to send sisters to Virajpet to open a convent. She passed on the proposal to the Regional Superior, Mother Angela Marie. The institute thus decided to open the convent in 1945. The pioneers were Sisters Mary Justina D’Souza, Scholastica Pais, and Mary Clemente.

Virajpet is situated in the south of Coorg and has naturally marked seasons, pleasant weather, and is a true beauty spot of Coorg. It is frequented by Indian tourists and foreigners because of its climate and natural charm. The people of this place are simple, hardworking, God-fearing, and known for their honest living. A large percentage of them are Corgis, historically believed to have migrated from Persia, along with a good number of Catholics who migrated from Mangalore.

Sr. Mary Justina was in charge of household work, pastoral duties, and church responsibilities, while the other two sisters were engaged in teaching at the school. In 1948, the school was upgraded, and a composite high school was started. Sr. Annunciata D’Souza was the first Headmistress. After a few years, Mother Leotade was transferred to Virajpet as the Superior. This was a real boon for the parish and the children, as she was noted for her piety, loving kindness, and generous heart. She always went out of her way to serve humanity. She raised the school to excellent academic standards, a strong education system, and instilled spiritual strength in the students of those days.

A boarding school was started with the objective of helping poor children and orphans. Later, in 1971, there arose a need to open a technical school offering courses in tailoring, typing, and shorthand. Sr. Rita was given charge of it. However, as computer education developed, there was less scope for the technical school, and it eventually had to be closed.

The main work of the sisters included teaching in the school, managing the boarding facility for poor children and orphans, pastoral work, teaching catechism, and taking care of church responsibilities.

Community of St Joseph’s Convent Virajpet in the year 2025-26

Our Sisters keep the Vision and Mission of the Community and live a committed life.

Vision of the Community
To live for God alone, with an attitude of faith and an uncompromising prayer life.
Rooted in the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we are called together to belong to God and to serve others.

Mission of the Community

  • To strive to lead a holy life in a spirit of love and forgiveness, trusting and respecting one another in the Community.
  • To work with zeal and enthusiasm to unite families by visiting homes and praying with them.
  • To provide faith formation through Small Christian Community (SCC) prayers every Sunday and as needed, bringing joy to others through our presence.
  • To serve, with inner freedom, the last, the least, and the lost, in order to restore their human dignity.
Promote Moral and Spiritual Values
with the students
Impart Knowledge and 
Understanding
Encourage Collaboration Through
Creative Projects

Build Eco-Friendly Habits

Improve Nutritional Status of Children

Support Personal Growth
and Self-Discipline
Enhance Physical Flexibility
and Strength
Regularly attending the SCC prayer
meetings on Sundays 

To foster a sense of trust and connection between the community members and the families through a regular visit 

To Encourage Active Participation in Church Life

 Preparing children to receive
the sacraments

Teaching Sunday catechism in the parish

Visting the sick

Pastoral Apostolate

The Pastoral Apostolate is one of the main apostolates of the Community. The Community faithfully and consciously plays a significant role in this apostolate by:

  • Regularly visiting homes.
  • Teaching Sunday catechism in the parish.
  • Attending funeral services in the parish.
  • Counselling broken families.
  • Regularly attending the SCC prayer meetings on Sundays.
  • Actively participating in Mission Sunday.
  • Attending vocation camps.
  • Preparing children to receive the sacraments.
  • Taking an active part in parish pastoral activities, such as arranging the altar and distributing communion.
  • Participating, along with the parish priest and parishioners, in house blessings and carol singing.

Josephites to 4th to 7th 

Josephites to 8th to 10th 

Gospel sharing

Studying the Lives of the Saints

Praying the Rosary

Participating in the Eucharist

Plan of Action for Josephites

The Pastoral Apostolate is one of the main apostolates of the Community. The Community faithfully and consciously plays a significant role in this apostolate by:

  • Visiting the Blessed Sacrament: Spend time in silent prayer and adoration before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
  • Doing a Good Deed Every Day: Practice kindness and charity by performing at least one good deed each day.
  • Studying the Word of God: Read and reflect on the Holy Scriptures regularly to grow in faith and knowledge of God.
  • Participating in Family Prayer and Helping Others: Take part in daily family prayers and offer help and support to others in need.
  • Praying the Rosary: Recite the Rosary daily to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary and meditate on the life of Christ.
  • Participating in the Eucharist: Attend and actively participate in the Holy Mass, receiving the Eucharist with reverence.
  • Reflecting on the Life of St. Joseph: Learn from the life and virtues of St. Joseph, especially his humility, obedience, and faithfulness.
  • Studying the Lives of the Saints: Discover the inspiring stories of saints and strive to follow their holy examples.
  • Enacting the Parables and Beatitudes: Dramatize and live out the parables of Jesus and the values of the Beatitudes in everyday life.
Lay Associates

On July 19, 2025, eleven lay associates came forward to commit themselves as Lay Associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes. After a period of prayer and preparation, they were filled with enthusiasm and joy as they pledged to collaborate with us in all our apostolic endeavors.

Planned Program for the Year 2024–2025:

  • Family Prayer After a Death: Offer prayers in the homes where a death has occurred in the parish.
  • Attendance at Funeral Masses: Attend every funeral Mass as a sign of support and solidarity.
  • Weekly Visits to the Sick and Elderly: Visit the homes of the sick, elderly, and bedridden at least once a week, or whenever needed.
  • Reaching Out to Non-Practicing Families: Visit families who are not attending Sunday Mass, pray with them, and encourage them to return to the faith.
  • Monthly Prayer Gathering: Hold a prayer meeting on the third Saturday of each month at the home of one of the Lay Associates.
  • Foundation Day Celebration: Celebrate Foundation Day at St. Joseph’s Convent on August 14.
  • Visit to Heggala Home for the Aged (October): Spend time with the residents and provide material support.
  • Visit to Kedumullur Orphanage (December): Donate clothes and food, and share the spirit of Christmas with the children.
  • Christmas Celebration: Celebrate Christmas at St. Joseph’s Convent with activities such as a “Christmas Friend” exchange, games, and fellowship.
  • St. Joseph’s Feast Celebration (March 19): Celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph at the parish church with a special liturgy.
  • Graveyard Visit and Prayer (November): Visit the cemetery and offer special prayers for the repose of souls.
  • Charity Box at Every Meeting: Pass around a charity box during every meeting; the collection will be donated to two or three needy individuals.
  • Vocation Promotion: Collaborate with the Sisters in promoting vocations. Lay Associates will accompany the Sisters and pray daily in their homes for new vocations.
  • Seminar on the Word of God: Organize a seminar on the Word of God, inviting a knowledgeable resource person to lead the session.
The Lay Associates are very active and committed to supporting our mission and ministry

Monthly Prayer Gathering

On July 19, 2025, eleven lay associates came forward to commit themselves as Lay Associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes

Hold a prayer meeting on the third Saturday of each month at the home of one of the Lay Associates.

To Plan and Organize

Prayer in the house

 

Seminar of Word of God

St Joseph’s Convent  Boarding , Virajpet

we provide accommodation and support for students, particularly those who are poor and marginalized, as part of our educational mission.

Special attention is given to academically weaker students through personal care and extra coaching

Prayer before meals

Meals time

 

Boarding Ministry

In our boarding facility, we provide accommodation and support for students, particularly those who are poor and marginalized, as part of our educational mission. We focus on creating a supportive and nurturing environment where students can develop their talents and excel in their studies.

We aim to help our boarders grow in all aspects of human, moral, and spiritual life. We create an atmosphere that encourages them to become more responsible and self-disciplined in their lives.

Special attention is given to academically weaker students through personal care and extra coaching, enabling them to build confidence and improve their performance.