The Institute of the Sisters of Charity of Sts.Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa(SCCG) also known as the Sisters of Maria Bambina had its origin in Lovere, Italy. It was founded by a young girl of 25 named Bartolomea Capitanio in 1832. Bartolomea’s inspiration to found an Institute took shape because of her deep love for God and through her involvement in the actual situation of the people of Lovere – her native town.

Having studied in the boarding school of the Poor Clares, she acquired a deep piety under the ever vigilant Mother Francesca Parpani. “I want to be a Saint, a great saint and a saint soon” were the words she uttered at the age of 7 at the ‘Game of Straws’. Her spiritual Director Don Angelo Bosio sensed the working of the Spirit in her and guided her in her spiritual Journey. He urged her to note down all the inspirations she received. This resulted in the inspired document we now call ‘the Foundation Document” which forms the basis of our present Rule of Life. She wrote: “The Institute which will be founded in Lovere is be totally founded on charity and this must be its principle aim…should have as its aim the education of poor young girls…devote itself to the relief of the sick..” In this way she outlined a MISSION which, though starting as a personal response to the needs of her environment was deeply rooted in charity and as such destined to be kept up and to spread beyond the bounds of Lovere.

Bartolomea was helped in her project by Catherine Gerosa, a simple, rich, charitable lady of Lovere. Together they consecrated themselves to God in a simple ceremony on 21 November 1832 at Casa Gaia. Thus began the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity. Bartolomea was called to her eternal reward on 26 July 1833 eight months after founding the Congregation. It was left to Catherine Gerosa, under the able guidance of Don Angelo Bosio to carry on the work begun.

The Institute spread rapidly in many Provinces of Italy. In 1860, Mother Theresa Bosio the first Superior General answered the call of the missions of India and sent four sisters to work in Bengal -India. Thus began the mission of the sisters in India.

In the year 1998, on the 6th of August, the Province of Dharwad was born. This separation of the Province was conceived in the minds of the Superiors some years before that, and through much discernment, prayers, discussions, and debates/dialogues finally realized it.

The then Superior General Mother Costantina Kersbamer along with Sr. Esther Joseph the Provincial Superior of Secunderabad Province, and Sr. Apoline Monis of Mangalore Province identified the communities located in North Karnataka and formed this new Province of Dharwad. They then handed over the mandate of the governance of the new born Province of Dharwad to the newly elected Provincial Superior, Sr. Mary Anne Theodore.

It was a moving ceremony to see the birth of this new province. The province of Secunderabad gave 15 communities and the Province of Mangalore lent 5 communities. Together there were 20 communities with 150 sisters. This was done for better governance as it was difficult for the provincial superiors to reach out to these distant communities.

The Province of Dharwad had its Provincial house in Shanti Sadan Dharwad formally the novitiate of Secunderabad province. The new Province initially had no novitiate of its own. There were schools hospitals, boarding houses, and an infirmary for the senior sisters, socio-pastoral activities spread in the states of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.

As every beginning has its own teething problems, so also the Benjamin Province of Dharwad but this problem was soon well managed by the efficient, gentle and prudent governance of Sr. Mary Anne Theodore.

Sr. Mary Anne was struck by the rare disease S. L. E. and she expired in 2002. She was replaced by Sr. Irene Fernandes who governed the Province from 2002 – 2010

At present there are 21 communities and 131 Sisters belonging to Dharwad Province. These communities are mainly located in the rural areas of Karnataka and Goa, except 2 in Mumbai city. Our present Provincial is Sr. Thresia P. Poulose.

In the year 1998, on the 6th of August, the Province of Dharwad was born. This separation of the Province was conceived in the minds of the Superiors some years before that, and through much discernment, prayers, discussions, and debates/dialogues finally realized it.

The then Superior General Mother Costantina Kersbamer along with Sr. Esther Joseph the Provincial Superior of Secunderabad Province, and Sr. Apoline Monis of Mangalore Province identified the communities located in North Karnataka and formed this new Province of Dharwad. They then handed over the mandate of the governance of the new born Province of Dharwad to the newly elected Provincial Superior, Sr. Mary Anne Theodore.

It was a moving ceremony to see the birth of this new province. The province of Secunderabad gave 15 communities and the Province of Mangalore lent 5 communities. Together there were 20 communities with 150 sisters. This was done for better governance as it was difficult for the provincial superiors to reach out to these distant communities.

The Province of Dharwad had its Provincial house in Shanti Sadan Dharwad formally the novitiate of Secunderabad province. The new Province initially had no novitiate of its own. There were schools hospitals, boarding houses, and an infirmary for the senior sisters, socio-pastoral activities spread in the states of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.

As every beginning has its own teething problems, so also the Benjamin Province of Dharwad but this problem was soon well managed by the efficient, gentle and prudent governance of Sr. Mary Anne Theodore.

Sr. Mary Anne was struck by the rare disease S. L. E. and she expired in 2002.

Sr. Irene Fernandes was appointed as the second Provincial Superior of Dharwad Province with 19 communities with 148 sisters. The mandate was given to her by the then Superior General Mother Piercarla Mauri in February 2002. We can say to her credit that she is almost a walking encyclopaedia with dates at her finger tips and her capacity as an able administrator is to be admired. She has a magnanimous heart for the poor and a great love for the Institute. Her second term began in 2006.  She opened two new communities that is Capitanio Convent at Hubballi and Bartolomea Nilaya at Gulbarga. The sisters were 148 with 21 communities

Sr. Thresia Poulose was appointed as the third Provincial Superior of Dharwad Province with 22 communities and 150 sisters. The mandate was given to her by the Superior General, Mother Annamaria Vigano` in the year 2010. She was a very simple and dynamic person to govern the province. With an additional great responsibility as a Principal of the Maria Bambina Higher Secondary School at Goa she was always on the move. She took keen interest in each sister and in a very exemplary way she led the province. Her second term was from 2014 to 2018 with 21 communities and 147 sisters.

Sr. Rosy Cutinha from Mangalore Province was appointed as the fourth Provincial Superior of Dharwad Province with 21 communities 142 sisters.  She assumed the mandate as Provincial Superior by Superior General Mother Annamaria Vigano on 9th February 2018. With her Councilors and Provincial team she animates the sisters and lead them to Christ the Redeemer through the works of mercy done by every sister in the province.

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