St.Teresa Province Udaipur
History
The Institute (Congregation) of the Prabhudasi Sisters (Handmaids of the Lord ) of Ajmer is a great Missionary Congregation of North India. It was founded on 24th May 1906 in the Diocese of Ajmer - Jaipur by Rt. Rev. Fortunatus Henry Caumont OFM. Cap., the first Bishop of Ajmer and they were placed under the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first Handmaid of the Lord. Bishop Fortunatus Henry Caumont was a deeply spiritual man and his heart was burning with the zeal for giving the Gospel message to all the people of Rajputana. He found that due to 'Parda System' and other social restrictions prevailing among the women of Rajputana, it was not possible for men Missionaries to approach the women folk. At the same time he knew, as long as they remained ignorant of Gospel message, it was impossible to bring the light of Christ to their families.
This compelled him to think about the need of an indigenous Congregation of women, who know the language and customs of the people and could easily meet village women, speak to them in their own language and give the message of Christ His dream came true on 24th May 1906 as he founded the Congregation of the 'Prabhudasi Sisters of Ajmer'. In the early years of the Institute, Bishop Caumont himself looked after his daughters but later on, he entrusted this task to his sister, Mother Mary Fortunat SMA. In 1953Mother Mary Fortunat retired due to old age. On 16th October 1953 the First General Chapter of the Congregation was convened and in which Rev. Sr. Imelda was elected as the first Indian Superior General of the Congregation for a term of six years. She was followed by Sisters Perpetua, Lucian, Ancilla, Martina, Nirmala and Nancy who carried on the Mission and Vision of the founder dedicatedly. From 11th November 2013 onwards the present Superior General Sr. Divya has been carrying on the Apostolate of the Congregation with great zeal. On 7th January 1936 this Institute (Congregation) was recognized by Rome as a Congregation of diocesan right. In 1962 it was affiliated to the 1st and 2nd Order of the great Franciscan Family.
