Assumption Institute, Pala (1968 – )
The foundation of the first house of the Assumption congregation in India was, in October 1968, in Pala. In the beginning, they stayed in the Adoration Hostel, in Arunapuram for a few months and then moved to a small, old rented house at Kadapattoor, near Bishop’s house in Pala.
His Excellency Dr. Sebastian Vayalil, the then Bishop of Pala diocese, laid the foundation stone for the Assumption convent who invited the sisters to his Diocese and helped the sisters to purchase a plot of land on which the Assumption Institute stands today, not far from the Bishop’s house and very close to the different colleges of the city of Pala. The construction of the first two floors was completed by 1970. As soon as a few rooms were ready in the new plot, the sisters moved into the new house. By 1970, The Indian sisters returned to India after their formation period in Paris. Mother Cristina Augusta (Philippines) was appointed as our superior. Then Mother Natividad Maria (Philippines), Sr. Agnes Elizabeth ( French), Mother Catherine Mary (American), Sr. Chantal Emmanuel came to India and lived in Pala at different times. But they had to leave India as their visa was not extended
Many sisters have served in this mission and enriched the life of the Church in Kerala. All those who stayed in a hostel, kindergarten students, who came for coaching classes, or who came for other services to this community have experienced joy, growth, deeper faith, and love. Right from its first days the community at Pala served as a Retreat Centre. Later the sisters started ‘Jyotis Theological College’ which provided religious women an opportunity for renewal and ongoing formation. However, by 1981 several training centers for religious sisters had sprung up in many places in Kerala and the ‘Jyotis Theological College’ was no longer seen as a real need. Thus, the sisters were compelled to close down the college in 1981. Thereafter the Assumption Institute became a full-fledged hostel for college students from nearby colleges and students who were appearing for competitive examinations. The hostel provides the students not only an environment where they feel safe but also a homely atmosphere that contributes a great deal not only to their academic progress but also to their spiritual and psychological development. It is truly a ‘home away from home.
In 1975 the sisters began a Montessori School on the premises. It was a very safe and comfortable home for the tiny kids of nearby places. Education is the main charism of the Assumption Sisters. As many sisters got trained themselves as teachers, they began to offer their services to the different schools of the Diocese of Pala. This is an opportunity to transmit the spirituality that is specific to the Assumption pedagogy to the students as well as to their parents. Fascinated by the immeasurable beauty inherent in every child the teachers offered excellent services in different schools in Pala and Kothamangalam Dioceses
Besides serving at various schools of the Diocese as teachers, the sisters of the Pala community were also engaged on a regular basis in other apostolates in the neighborhood. They responded enthusiastically to the pastoral needs and demands of the local Church. The sisters taught catechism in the parish, French to the students, visited the old and sick in the neighborhood, took care of their spiritual needs and animated ward prayer group, etc.
Assumption hostel
hostel is the main community apostolate. We admit 150 girls to the hostel. Among them, about 50 are college students doing graduate and post-graduate studies. They stay 3-5 years in the hostel. Others stay 1 year in the hostel to attend classes for entrance examination for medical, engineering, and other professional courses. St. Marie Eugenie envisaged an education that transforms society. The Priorities we focus on are:- Faith Formation, Character formation, Intellectual formation, and Social commitment. We promote in girls values –truth honesty, openness, straightforwardness, simplicity, humility, hard work, liberty, respect for life etc.
