Administration

St. Joseph Province- Administration

The history of St. Joseph Province of the Vincentian Congregation begins with the bifurcation of the Vincentian Congregation in South India into two Regions as Marymatha Region and St. Joseph’s Region on July 3, 1987. The mission region of the Vincentian Congregation in the North India named St. Thomas Region was already in existence since February 28, 1980. The area of St. Joseph region comprised of the territory of the dioceses of Kothamangalam, Palai, Kanjirappally and the territory of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry. The mission in Tamilnadu is also attached to this region. Subsequently, the 3rd session of the 22nd General Chapter of the Vincentian Congregation held between December 18-22, 1989, decided to raise these regions into two Provinces and a Vice-Province. The Superior General of that time, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Kariamadam, promulgated it on January 1, 1990. Hence St. Joseph region became St. Joseph Province. Till 30 May 1993, the Vincentian House at Thodupuzha, functioned as the headquarters of the Region and later of the Province. On May 30, 1993 the Provincial headquarters was shifted to Kottayam.

Rev. Fr. Mathew Thoyalil was the Regional Superior when it was a Region and later when it was raised to a Province he was elected as the first Provincial Superior of the Province. Later Very Rev. Frs. George Arackal, Abraham Kanjirakonam and Jose Vettiyankal served as Provincial Superiors of the Province for different periods of time. Now, the Province is led by Very Rev. Fr. George Arackal (Sr.), elected Provincial Superior on April, 2009. At present there are 143 Priests in St. Province. There are 19 perpetually professed seminarians doing their theology studies and 48 temporarily professed seminarians. There are also 20 novices and 83 Minor seminarians. All the members of the Province are contributing greatly to the growth of the Province. It is because of their untiring work and deep dedication that the Province has achieved its present heights. The Province has now 36 Houses and Centers.

The first mission started outside Kerala in 1962 at Adaikalapuram (at the invitation of Rt. Rev. V.S. Selvanather, Bishop of Salem and with the blessing and approval of the Oriental Congregation) gradually spread to other parts of the state of Tamilnadu and the neighboring states of Karnataka and Goa. For the effective co-ordination and development of the mission centres in these states, they were organized under a Mission Superior on 19 March 2003. This mission was raised to the status of a dependant region under St. Joseph Province and named St. Xavier’s Region on 1 May 2007. Now 27 fathers are doing ministry in this region.

The most important charism and specific purpose of our Community is ‘preaching the Gospel to the poor’. Through Popular Mission retreats, Retreat Centres, Charismatic retreats, Renewal Services, Conventions, Parish Retreats and Retreats for Priests and Religious, we bring into realization, the motto of our Congregation. The Province has 15 Prayer and Retreat centers in India as well as in other countries such as Australia, Austria and Germany. The retreat centers publish magazines to spread the Word of God and spread the message of Christ. The Province renders good service in the field of education. It conducts 9 schools altogether, 2 Higher Secondary Schools under Kerala State syllabus, 3 Higher Secondary Schools under CBSC pattern, 2 High Schools and one Lower Primary School under Tamil Nadu State syllabus and one CBSC School in Karnataka. The Province has also 2 formal technical educational centers. Our schools and institutions have earned a good reputation for formation and excellence. Following the example of St. Vincent De Paul who devoted himself for the service of the poor and the needy, social apostolate is another important field of activity of the province.