Bangalore – Sumanahalli

In the year 1978 the Chief Minister Mr. Devaraj Urs had earmarked 69 acres of land in Sumanahalli, a suburb of Bangalore for the treatment and rehabilitation of Leprosy patients. Knowing that Christian missionaries were noted for their love and zeal in serving the poor, he invited

Rev. Dr. P. Arokia Swamy, Archbishop of Bangalore, to take up this project and improve the lot of the leprosy patients. The Daughters of the Church, Montfort Sisters, Sisters of Redemption, Medical Missionaries and Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes – each took up a different area of the Project to work for this good cause. A Committee was constituted. The Archbishop was the President, Mr. M. K. Anthony the Secretary and Dr. Marshall from St. John’s Hospital was the Vice President. Mr. Boniface was in charge of the agricultural works.

The first Community – Srs. Mary Mascarenhas ( Animator ),

Hermine Gomes, Maria Anthonia Lobo and Matilda Jayanathan started living in Sumanahalli from 10th July 1979. They were engaged in the apostolate – medical, hygiene and education.

The crown the entire history of Sumanahalli, we may safely affirm that the decision taken by Chief Minister Devaraj Urs, back in the early 1970s, to entrust this Project to the dedicated followers of Jesus, has proved a masterstroke in giving life to hundreds of our brothers and sisters !