The Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, popularly known as Bethany Sisters, was founded in Mangalore on July 16, 1921 by the late Msgr Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas, with four members viz. Sr Martha, Sr Clare, Sr Lourdes and Sr Gertrude to participate in the mission of the Church by responding to the prevailing needs of the times.

The Congregation was founded chiefly for the Catholic education of the rural poor, specially girls, teaching of Catechism in parish communities and schools, instruction of catechumens and neophytes, care of the children, the sick and the elderly. The Sisters are involved in pastoral, educational, social and medical apostolates according to the needs of the place. The Congregation started with 4 Sisters has at present 1383 members serving in 178 Convents all over India and Europe and Africa.

Like most of the Congregations, Bethany had a very simple beginning; however, it had noble ideals rooted in Indian philosophy. Self reliance, dignity of labour, simplicity of life, education in the vernacular and vocationalisation of education, focus on primary education and adult education, development of villages for the progress of the country and emancipation of women were some of the ideals that our Founder and the founding members upheld. ..read more ...