Alvernia Province, Irinjalakuda
On 22nd June 1978 H. H. Pope Paul VI by the Bull "Trichuriensia Eparchiae" Bifurcated the Diocese of Thrissur and the Diocese of Irinjalakuda was formed. Consequent on the division of the Diocese, Assisi Province Thrissur was also subjected to division to facilitate better administration excluding the mission centers, was divided into three. Thus Alvernia Province Irinjalakuda established on 4th October 1979 with 382 members and 21 houses. Sr. Stella was appointed as the first Provincial. The formal declaration was made only 2nd February 1980 during the General Chapter held at Portiuncula, Aluva. In the Mission new houses were started. Thus our Province had a rapid growth St. Pau's region Vidhisha was established on 7th June 1987. The region was raised to a Vice Province on 15/12/1994. On 4th December 1997 the official Declaration of the Province was made by the Superior General Rev. Mother. Marianna.
Alvernia province had a fast and steady growth in number and all the areas of its apostolate. As per the needs of the time, the province took courageous steps to enter into the special ministries to proclaim the good news to all the strata of the society in different parts of the world. Our sisters are working in schools, hospitals, social centres, hospice and old age homes, sharing God’s unconditional love lavished upon humanity through Christ Jesus.
Inspired by the missionary spirit of St.Francis, sisters of Alvernia province set out to various countries like Rome, Germany, Chennai and Kenya to spread the message of the kingdom of God.
The Kenya Mission of Alvernia province was raised to the status of a region named ‘ Santa Maria Region’ on 30th May 2019 under the direction of our superior General, Mother Ann Joseph. Santa Maria Region, the first region of Alvernia outside India consists of 42 sisters including 16 Kenyan sisters. St.Padre Pio FC convent is started in Kenya on July 1st 2019 as per the request of Bishop of Muranga to serve in the Gaichanjiru mission Hospital run by diocese. Santa Chiara convent in Perugia, Italy started on 8th January 2020 with the purpose of caring the orphans, which is our charism, entrusted by Bishop Charles Lavigne. The blessing of Santa Maria Regional House in Machakos diocese,Kenya, on August 31st 2020 is a remarkable milestone in the history of Santa Maria region.
Irinjalakuda diocese has undertaken Silchar Mission and Bishop Pauly Kannokadan invited our sisters to start a new convent and requested our service in Silchar Mission. The territory of Silchar Mission includes the selected areas of 3 states- Tripura, Assam and Mizoram and St.Theresa’s convent was started in Silchar Mission on Sept.8th 2020.
At present Alvernia province, Irinjalakuda has 556 sisters in 54 houses of which 38 in Kerala, three in Chennai, eight convents in Kenya, two in Germany, one in Rome, one in Perugia, and one in Silchar. Jeevodaya Hospice for advanced cancer patients at Mathur Chennai stands as a unique achievement in the history of Alvernia province, witnessing and living the real Franciscan spirit.