The Sisters of
St Charles of Borromeo
Faith, Toil, Progress
St.Charles Generalate
Kamba village,
Varap post, shahad
Kalyan west,Thane Dist
Maharashtra state – 421 103
Ph: 8976587778
The Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo
Kamba village, Varap post, shahad, Kalyan west,Thane Dist, Maharashtra, India - 421103
VILLA BORROMEO
The Provincial House of the Sisters of St. Charles in India was at St. Thomas Town, Bangalore till 1976.The Province administration and the apostolic activities of the community were merged as one unit with Mother Christiane, the Provincial Superior also functioning as local Superior of the community for a number of years. Later a local Superior was appointed.
For better administration of the Province and for the functioning of the apostolic activities the need was felt to bifurcate the Provincial administrative unit from the local unit. In 1974 the Provincial and her council after prayer and discussion initiated the process of relocating the Province Administrative unit to another location. Several places in Bangalore were visited. The residence of the lawyers, Mr. George and Tony D’Costa on Mahatma Gandhi Road was for sale at the time. This was found suitable for the purpose. The deal was negotiated and the legal formalities for the purchase of the property were in progress . At this time Mother Christiane fell ill, her health condition deteriorated rapidly and she breathed her last on 22nd June 1975.
Sr. Lydia, who was Assistant Provincial was appointed to be in charge till the appointment of a new Provincial Superior.
In November 1975 the new Provincial Superior, Sr. Benedicta Lobo was appointed. The new Provincial team continued to function from St. Charles Convent, St. Thomas Town while finalizing the purchase of the property on M.G. Road . The legal formalities and finding the finance needed to pay for the purchase of the house was a heavy burden on the shoulders of the new Provincial Team. However as we had learnt to rely on Divine Providence with prayer, begging and borrowing the amount was paid in installments. Mother Anne Marie, the Superior General came to our rescue and our communities in India contributed the rest.
On 15th June 1975 Sr. Benedicta with Sr. Lydia, the Vice-Provincial and Sr. Hilda moved to M.G. Road with the view of organizing the shifting and formation of the new Provincial community. It was decided that the student Sisters would reside at the Provincialate which would make it easier for them to reach their respective schools and colleges. Sr. Zita , the postulant Mistress, together with the postulants also moved from St. Thomas Town to Villa Borromeo. In April 1982 the Postulancy was moved back to St. Thomas Town
The blessing of Villa Borromeo, as the new Provincialate was named, took place on 22nd June 1975, the first death anniversary of Mother Christane. Mgr. William D’Mello, Vicar General of Bangalore Archdiocese celebrated the inaugural Mass and the blessing of the house in the presence of the Sisters of the two communities in Bangalore, Villa Borromeo and St. Charles Convent.
Activities of Villa Borromeo
Being the only Provincialate of St.Charles in India all the houses with their apostolates were under its administration. The house was open to all the communities for whatever needs they had to come to Bangalore.
Meetings, seminars, courses, retreats for various groups and levels were conducted at Villa Borromeo. Though the space was restricted when there were big groups, the joy of coming together, the spirit of simplicity and of sacrifice and adjusting to the circumstances and the hospitality of the community which is a characteristic of SCB Sisters rendered all the inconveniences seem too small compared with the happiness and enrichment that the coming together brought with it.
In 1978 Villa Borromeo was the venue for the first General Chapter in India.
In 1979 The Golden Jubilee of the St. Charles Missions in India was organized. The Province spent the whole year in Thanksgiving. The climax was celebrated at St. Thomas Town in December 1979.
In 1983 the Province of St. Charles was bifurcated into the Western Province and Eastern Province with Sr. Renee D’Souza as its first Provincial Superior.
Mahatma Gandhi Road was becoming a busier and noisier area with increase in traffic and high rise building and the need of relocating Villa Borromeo was felt. It was decided that the property be sold and a provincial house be constructed in the vacant space at St. Charles Convent, St. Thomas Town. In 1993 M.G. property was sold to Prestige Constructions. In November 1992 the foundation of the New Provincial House was laid and on March 25th, 1995 the new Villa Borromeo was blessed at St. Thomas Town.
Here in this Villa Borrome, we continue the same mission and also take part in the pastoral activities of the local Parish like SCC meetings, house visits, communion to the home bound and in the Parish, catechism, and liturgical activities.
Argentina Region