Our Mission in Cuddalore

On December 8, 2005, the Daughters of St. Mary of Divine Providence began their mission in the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Samupillai Nagar, Cuddalore, in collaboration with the Servants of Charity (Guanellian Fathers). Our services extended to the parish, dispensary, and St. Mary’s Matriculation School, all operated by the Guanellian Fathers (SdC).

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Our Journey

We were originally invited by Most Rev. Michael Augustine, then Archbishop of Pondicherry–Cuddalore, to care for mentally and physically challenged children at Reddiyarpalayam, Pondicherry, by taking over a trust. However, due to internal issues, the trust was not handed over to us.

In response, we planned to open an orphanage for tsunami-affected children in Samupillai Nagar, Cuddalore. However, Providence led us on a different path. The next Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Antony Ananda Rayar, invited us to take over the hostel ministry for college girls, which was previously run by the Diocese. We rented a house adjacent to our community residence and received the hostel residents from the Diocese. They were the students from St. Joseph ’s College ( Diocesan ). 

The pioneer sisters of the community were:
Sr. Antoniammal Michael (Superior), Sr. Mary Chinnappan, Sr. Shanthi, Sr. Antoniammal John Joseph, Sr. Antony Mary, and Sr. Sandhanam.

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Fr. John Bosco, then Delegate Superior of the Servents of Charity,India, invited us to serve at Don Guanella Matriculation School which was newly opened.

• Sr. Mary Chinnappan, Sr. Sandhanam, and Sr. Antoniammal John Joseph taught at the school.

• Sr. Antoniammal Michael, a trained nurse, worked in the Guanellian Fathers’ dispensary at Sagaya Madha Parish from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Sr. Jeyamalini, Sr. Shanthi, and Sr. Antony Mary were responsible for the girls’ hostel for few months.

Our ministry at the school and dispensary ended on March 19, 2008. 

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St. Mary of Providence Home has also served as the Initial Formation house for the candidates(those who go for the Higher Secondary School ) from Tamil Nadu since 2014. 

Divine Providence Home (DPH)

On March 19, 2007, the foundation stone was laid for the new community and hostel building in Nehru Nagar. It was blessed by Most Rev. Dr. Ananda Rayar. Due to the expiration of the rental agreement, the hostel residents were moved to the new building on September 8, 2008, even before the formal inauguration. The permanent residence and hostel, Divine Providence Home, was officially inaugurated on October 15, 2009.

Sr. Arpudha Mari and Sr. Antony Mary took charge of the hostel.

The Divine Providence Home fosters:

• Self-reliance, self-confidence, and social responsibility among its residents

• A family-like, secure environment that encourages academic focus

• Holistic support to both students and their families, promoting education and personal growth

Most of the students come from rural and underprivileged backgrounds, and we believe that investing in human resources through education is key to building a compassionate and empowered society.

St. Luigi Guanella Tuition Centres

To enhance educational opportunities for children from fishermen families, we opened three tuition centres in:

• Thevananchavadi

• Uppalavadi

• Kanganakuppam

Qualified teachers were appointed and supported by us. These centres aim to empower children through education. Many of the students performed well, achieving high academic ranks.

A society named as St. Mary of Divine Providence Society was registered on 28th April 2008. 

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Presently the sisters are rendering services in St. Mary of Divine Providence Home who continue their dedicated service through:

• The Hostel Ministry

• Pastoral Ministry in the parish.

• And Home Visits

• Evening Tuitions for weak students.