The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in India marked two significant occasions this March: the 50th death anniversary of its founder, Fr. Faustino de Souza, on March 26, and the 73rd anniversary of its canonical erection on March 25.
Fr. Faustino, regarded as a key figure in the religious history of Goa, founded the indigenous congregation for women during a period when the region was still recovering from the 19th-century suppression of religious institutes initiated in 1833 under King Dom Pedro of Portugal.
The century-long ban had deeply disrupted religious life and essential services like education and healthcare.
The priest envisioned a local congregation that would serve the specific needs of Goans, who otherwise joined religious orders outside the region. The founding of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth reflected his “community-centric and culturally rooted approach to religious life.”
His efforts gained momentum following the rise of the Estado Novo regime in Portugal in 1928. As parish priest of Sancoale, Fr. Faustino founded the Franciscan Brothers at Duler and, with the backing of Archbishop Patriarch Dom Theotonio Vieira de Castro, collaborated with the Bethany Sisters of Mangalore to train candidates for the new congregation.
The first group of women trained in Mangalore included Sr. Estelita Coutinho (later Mother Josephine), Sr. Abelina Braganza (Mother Joana), and Sr. Sabina D’Souza (Mother Nativity). They were later joined by Sr. Assuciana Silveira (Mother Edith). After their initial formation, the women returned to Goa to continue their novitiate at the ancestral house of Saint Joseph Vaz in Sancoale.
The congregation was officially founded on June 16, 1935, with Mother Joana of the Cross appointed as its first superior. Canonical recognition was granted on March 25, 1952, by Patriarch Dom Jose de Costa Nunes, a development that “solidified the congregation’s place within the broader Church community.” The congregation’s Constitutions were approved soon after and have since been revised in keeping with evolving Church laws.
The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth carry out a wide range of ministries aimed at holistic development. Their mission includes formal and informal education, pastoral care, social work, and support for the marginalized. They run schools, provide catechetical instruction, and manage shelters and homes for the elderly and vulnerable.
Initiatives such as Asha Sadan, Kiran Niketan, Divya Gyan, and Nazareth Jeevandhara focus on empowering women, children, and youth. The sisters also operate self-help industries and skill development programs to promote economic independence in local communities.
At the heart of their work are the teachings of Fr. Faustino, enshrined in his “Pearls of Wisdom,” which emphasize “love, humility, prayer, silence, divine providence, love for the poor and forgiveness.” His legacy continues to guide the congregation in its mission and ministry.
The congregation’s continued presence and outreach remain “a beacon of hope,” reflecting the founder’s vision of a compassionate and faith-driven community.
