History of ASMI

The Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) is a Franciscan congregation of the Syro-Malabar Church, founded on 2 April 1949 by Servant of God Joseph K. W. Thomas at Green gardens, Cherthala, Kerala. The congregation was born from a deep call to radiate Christ’s compassionate love to the most abandoned—especially persons affected by leprosy, and those who were deaf, mute, blind, or intellectually challenged.

Guided by the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and devoted to Mary Immaculate, ASMI embraces a Gospel-centered life of simplicity, prayer, fraternity, service to the poor, and joyful sacrifice. Inspired also by the childlike trust of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, our charism expresses itself in tender love, humble service, and universal brotherhood.

ASMI became a congregation of Pontifical Right in 1986. As the mission expanded, the congregation grew into several provinces: Sacred Heart Province, Little Flower Province, Nirmal Mata Province, and St. Joseph Province with regions in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Germany. Today, ASMI serves across India and abroad, including Italy and Germany,Africa—continuing its mission of compassion, hope, and Franciscan joy.

OUR CHARISM

​The Charism of ASMI is to follow the humble, poor, crucified Jesus and radiate His compassionate love in joyful service to the sick, the needy, the poor, and the rejected in the society, especially the Leprosy stricken brethren.

OUR VISION

​To become like Humble, Poor, Crucified Jesus and radiate His compassion.

​OUR MISSION

​Through our medical, educational, pastoral, and social ministries we the ASMI care, console and heal the sick as Jesus did and make them experience the compassionate love of the Heavenly Father and prepare them for His Kingdom.

BIRTH OF SACRED HEART PROVINCE ASMI, NAGPUR, MAHARASHTRA

The Sacred Heart Province of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) was established as part of the congregation’s growing mission to serve the poor, the sick, and the marginalized across India. In response to the expanding ministries in North India, the congregation—originally founded in 1949 at Greengardens, Cherthala—was first divided in 1987 into two provinces: St. Joseph Province (South India) and Sacred Heart Province (North India).

As the mission in North India continued to flourish, new communities, apostolic centres, and social ministries emerged across several states. To offer better pastoral care, administration, and spiritual animation to the sisters, the Sacred Heart Province was further reorganized in 2005. Through this reorganization, three new provinces were formed:

• Sacred Heart Province – Maharashtra

• Little Flower Province – Andhra Pradesh

• Nirmal Mata Province – Central and North India

Thus, the Sacred Heart Province of ASMI was formally inaugurated in Nagpur, Maharashtra in 2005, marking a significant milestone in the history of the congregation. This new province became a vibrant spiritual and administrative centre for the sisters serving in Maharashtra, carrying forward the Founder’s vision with renewed zeal.

From its inception, the Sacred Heart Province has remained deeply committed to the charism of the congregation—to radiate the compassionate love of Christ, especially to the most rejected and forgotten. Rooted in Franciscan simplicity and guided by Mary Immaculate, the province continues to grow in its mission through:

• healthcare services and hospitals

• special schools for children with disabilities

• social outreach and community development

• hostels and homes for the underprivileged

• parish ministry and evangelization

• programmes for women, children, and marginalized families

Grounded in the spirit of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the province stands as a beacon of love, service, and hope—faithfully echoing the Founder’s call to “seek out the most abandoned and serve them with whole-hearted love.”

WHERE WE ARE

The Sacred Heart Province of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI), with its Provincialate in Nagpur, Maharashtra, continues to grow as a vibrant centre of missionary service and Franciscan compassion.

Sacred Heart Province
Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate
Sacred Heart Provincialate
94 PK Salve Road, Mohan Nagar

Nagpur, 440001, Maharashtra – India

The sisters of the Sacred Heart Province live in communities spread across Maharashtra, as well as in mission regions of the North East—Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh (Itanagar). In each of these places, they serve with dedication through ministries of healthcare, education, social work, special education, pastoral care, and compassionate outreach to the most marginalized.

The Sacred Heart Province of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) continues to grow steadily in its mission across Maharashtra and the surrounding regions. The communities of the province serve with deep dedication in hospitals, special schools, social service centres, hostels, pastoral ministries, and outreach programmes for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. Rooted in the charism of compassion and inspired by the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, the Sacred Heart Province remains a vibrant and dynamic presence—carrying forward the Founder’s vision with zeal, simplicity, and wholehearted commitment to the least and the suffering.

Across all our centres, the sisters strive to radiate the compassionate love of Jesus, especially to the poor, sick, and rejected—continuing the mission entrusted to us by our Founder.

VOCATION

We, the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI), invite young women to discover the joy and beauty of a life dedicated to God and to compassionate service. Founded in 1949 by Servant of God Joseph Kandathil our congregation was born from a deep love for the poorest, especially persons affected by leprosy and those abandoned by society.

Today, the Sacred Heart Province continues this mission with the gentleness and courage of Jesus’ own Heart. We serve children with special needs, persons with disabilities, women in distress, underprivileged families, and all who seek dignity and hope. Through our schools, hostels, rehabilitation centers, and social ministries, we bring healing, love, and light to those most in need.

To be an ASMI Sister is to let God’s compassion shine through your life—to live simply, pray deeply, and serve joyfully. If you feel the quiet call of God inviting you to something greater, to a life of meaning and selfless love, we warmly welcome you to journey with us.

Come and see.
Come and serve.
Come and let your life become a gift for others.

DO YOU DESIRE TO BE THE MESSENGER OF CHRIST?
Being the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI)….