MOTHER MARY VERONICA
(Foundress of C.C.R.)
The Congregation of the Carmalite Religious (earlier known as The Third Order Apostolic of Our Lady of Mount Carmel) was founded by Mother Veronica of the Passion on July 16, 1868, in France.
Mother Veronica (nee Sophie Leeves) was born of Anglican parents on 1st October 1823. The atmosphere of love for God in her home culminated in her outstanding love for God which was expressed in her tendency to serve the helpless, the afflicted and the sick. She was well-educated and highly accomplished in the fields of music and art, with mastery over Greek, French, German, her native English etc. & also Malayalam. This visionary woman dedicated herself to educate others less fortunate than herself.
She was a woman of strong faith and prayer. Her intense desire for the Real Presence led her to embrace the Catholic faith and move onwards into Religious life, first, as Sister of St. Joseph of the Apparition and later as a Carmelite.
It was on 16th July, 1868 that she founded the Apostolic Carmel – a Carmel for the Missions at Bayonne, France. It was here, in real poverty that she began moulding young girls into a Religious Order to work in India. She sought God‘s will in everything and exhorted them to be obedient and humble. She passed into glory on 16th November, 1906.
The first batch of Sisters arrived in Mangalore in 1870. It was from here that the Carmelites gradually spread to the Malabar Coast where there was need for Catholic education. By 1880 the Congregation took root at Holy Angels‘ Convent, Thiruvananthapuram, from where it has spread its branches in India and abroad. Following in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ and our foundress Mother Veronica, we impart fullness of life through our Apostolate of education and social work. We reach out to all God s children especially girls, women and the marginalized. We strive to produce intellectually, competent, morally upright, socially committed and spiritually inspired persons who are responsible and available for the greater service of the country and of the world.