India: Bon Secours Congregation opens new generalate in Tamil Nadu, marking 158 years of service

The Franciscan Sisters of Bon Secours Congregation in India marked a historic milestone with the inauguration of their new Generalate building at Bon Secours Convent, Madha Church Road, Mylapore, Tamil Nadu, India, on February 6, 2025. 

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Archbishop George Antonysamy of Madras-Mylapore.

The event began with the solemn blessing and opening of the new building, followed by a Holy Mass. 

The newly constructed Generalate is more than just an administrative center—it represents the congregation’s enduring mission to serve the marginalized, educate the young, and care for the sick and needy.

Mylapore is a historical and spiritual hub with deep significance. It was here that the Bon Secours Congregation first took root in the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore. 

The day’s events included the blessing of the secretariat cum residence and chapel consecration. 

Sister Maria Philomi FBS, Superior General of Bon Secours, inaugurated the Generalate and office/residence. 

To honor the congregation’s history, a museum and library were inaugurated, preserving the legacy of the Bon Secours Sisters.

The library was blessed by Father Jebamalai Raja, Jesuit Provincial of Chennai. 

Other key facilities, including the archives, conference hall, and auditorium, were blessed and inaugurated by prominent guests such as Father Vincent Chinnadurai (parish priest, Santhome Cathedral), Jesuit Father Joe Arun (chairman, State Minorities Commission, Tamil Nadu), and Father Xavier Arul Raj (senior advocate, High Court of Madras). 

The auditorium was opened by Mother M. Arockiam FSJ, Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph.  

The Bon Secours Congregation, founded in 1732, has its spiritual roots dating back to 1748, originating from the mission of Father Gaston Laurence Coeurdon, a French Jesuit missionary. 

His small Carmelite refuge home in Ariyankuppam, Pondicherry, laid the foundation for a thriving religious congregation serving orphans, widows, and the sick. 

The congregation expanded to Mylapore in 1892, where Bishop Dom Henrique José Reed De Silva entrusted the nuns with the mission of education.

They took over the administration of St. Lazarus School and later founded St. Antony’s Girls’ Higher Secondary School in 1895; both continue to be pillars of faith-based education in Chennai. 

Archbishop Antonysamy led the Holy Eucharist, followed by cultural performances, including a dance by Bons Natyalaya from Dindigul.

Sister Annal Rita Rani FBS, General Secretary of Bon Secours, served as the master of ceremonies, while Sister Pauline Agnes FBS, Assistant Superior General, welcomed the gathering. Sister Mariammal FBS thanked all.

The inauguration of the Generalate building is a testament to the 158-year-old legacy of the Franciscan Sisters of Bon Secours. 

Their commitment to faith, education, social work, and healthcare has transformed countless lives, particularly among the marginalized. 

This new Generalate will serve as a center of governance, formation, and mission outreach, further strengthening the congregation’s ability to respond to society's needs. 

As the Franciscan Sisters of Bon Secours enter this new chapter, they remain deeply committed to their charism of service—caring for orphans, educating young girls, tending to the sick, and uplifting the poor. 

With 158 years of history behind them and a new Generalate to guide their future, the Bon Secours Congregation continues to be a beacon of faith, perseverance, and unwavering dedication. 

It is hoped that the new Generalate will be a place of grace, wisdom, and divine inspiration as they continue their sacred mission. - Ritchie Vincent