The Canossian Daughters of Charity, Servants of the Poor, is an international congregation of women founded by St. Magdalene of Canossa, in 1808. It is now 218 years since the Daughters of Charity realized their dream of striving to serve people in all corners of the world. Today the Sisters are found in all continents, where they are committed to witness Christ in the exercise of all works of mercy. Today, there are about 2300 sisters throughout the world in 32 countries, grouped into 22 provinces and 6 Delegations, serving the Lord through education, healing ministry, evangelisation and social work.
The first overseas Canossian mission was established in Hongkong in 1860. One hundred and thirty-seven years ago, a group of five brave Canossian pioneers landed in Cochin, India from Hong Kong and started their missionary work on November 24, 1889. Prompted by the spirit of the Foundress they began the work of serving the poor of Christ in a place utterly unknown to them in culture, language and customs. Very soon, Canossian missions spread all over India, reaching out to the poor, needy and destitute.
In 1891 the sisters moved from Cochin to Belgaum which is the first house of our Province. Soon, other new houses were opened in different parts of India and the houses got grouped into two Regions and later in 1947 formed one Delegation with the Headquarters in Bombay. In 1966 the Delegation was made into a Province. As the Foundations were on the increase, in 1988 three Provinces were formed: India-Centre with 21 houses, India-South with 18 houses and India-North with 14 houses.