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Pentecostal Legacy: The Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo in Omzoor, Mangalore
The Pioneering Spirit (1970–1971)
The history
of the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo in Omzoor, Arkula, began on the feast of
Pentecost, May 17, 1970. The pioneers, Sr. Antoinet Machado and Sr.
Maria Goratti Rasquinha, landed in the parish under the guidance of Bishop
B.S. D’Souza and Parish Priest Fr. A. Rodrigues. Embodying the spirit of
apostolic simplicity, the two sisters initially found shelter in the home of a
widow in Mayadi village. By living closely with the people, they bore witness
to the challenges of daily life while laying the groundwork for a permanent
mission. Through a combination of purchased land and a generous donation of
property, the foundation was set for a transformative presence in Mangalore.
Empowerment
Through Education (1971–1976)
By May
1971, the community grew with the arrival of Mother Andrea and Sr. Celine
Saldanha. On June 4, 1971, they launched the Nithya Sahaya Matha High
School (Kannada Medium), fulfilling a long-awaited dream for the region. As
the only high school for ten surrounding villages, it initially operated out of
the parish school building under the leadership of Mother Andrea. The mission’s
physical footprint expanded when the convent’s foundation stone was blessed in
1972, followed by the formal inauguration of the house on May 20, 1973.
The dedication to education deepened in 1976 with the blessing of the new
school building and a continued partnership with the Diocese at St. Joseph’s
Higher Primary School—a collaboration that remains active to this day.
Social Progress and Holistic Care (1983–Present)
Over the
decades, the sisters adapted their apostolates to meet the socio-economic needs
of the community:
- Vocation Training: In 1983, a tailoring
center was opened to provide a sustainable livelihood for girls who were
previously reliant on the beedi-rolling industry.
- Healing Ministry: To address the lack
of local healthcare, the Nithya Sahaya Matha Dispensary was
inaugurated on March 12, 1985, by Fr. Peter Noronha, with Sr. Alice
Prabhakar serving as the first nurse.
- English Medium
Education: Responding
to the “need of the hour,” an English Medium High School was
started on June 1, 2004, under Sr. Juliana Pinto. Its modern
building was later blessed in 2014.
Today,
Omzoor is celebrated as a “cradle of vocations,” having
produced numerous priests and religious who serve across various congregations.
This enduring legacy is a testament to the synergy between the sisters, the
clergy, and the local people who have supported this mission of compassion for
over fifty years.