St. Joseph’s Convent, Belgaum
St. Joseph’s Convent was established in Belgaum in 1891. The pioneers were 5 European sisters sent from the Canossian convent in Hong Kong to take over an English medium school with 15 students. Soon the school grew in strength. From 1897 to 1903 the epidemics caused many deaths among the children and people. However, the sisters carried on their selfless service reaching out to poor families in the town and the villages around. This social pastoral work continued and was at its heights later when Sisters cooperated with the diocese in village uplift Programmes. In 1901 the orphanage was started for 20 orphans. It was later transferred to the convent of Divine Providence Belgaum.
The school kept growing steadily and in 1924 received recognition and appreciation. The first batch of Matriculation students obtained certificates and M. Antonietta Novello who later became the Superior General of the congregation worldwide, served as a dedicated Headmistress in this school. Through the years St. Joseph’s flourished, educating thousands of girls many of whom came from Goa. All were given an all-round education. Even while fostering musical talents (affiliated to Trinity College of music, London) the sisters instilled in them values that they carry forward to serve God and every human person.
The Secondary Teacher’s training (STC) had privately begun in 1923. Later it received recognition, had a building of its own and ever since has trained thousands of committed teachers who were always in demand. Today this course is called D.Ed. (diploma in education) and the sisters continue the noble task of forming teachers who in turn carry the light of knowledge and virtue in India and in many countries where they work.
The Tamil school was given to our sisters to educate the poor Tamil children. As Belgaum was placed under Karnataka State in 1956 the medium was later changed to Kannada. With its special building and teachers it received recognition and government aid up to std. VII. The headmistress kept up a high standard of morals and academic excellence. It was closed in 2013.
Prison ministry was lovingly carried out from 1938 to 1981.The narratives of our Sisters speak volumes of the conversion to goodness and inner healing brought about through this ministry.
Right from the beginning, Tailoring and craft classes were started to cater to school drop outs and poor students. It helped them earn their living.
Today this 135 years institute stands out as the best in Belgaum, with one of its Teachers, Sr. Pasquina winning the Best Teacher National Award because thousands were nurtured in all spheres of life with special attention to the poorest.