The Institute of the Prabhudasi Sisters of Ajmer (Handmaids of the Lord) is a vibrant missionary congregation rooted in 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. The Sisters were placed under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first Handmaid of the Lord. Bishop Caumont, a man of deep spiritual insight and missionary zeal, was moved by the need to bring the Gospel to the people of Rajputana (present-day Rajasthan). He recognized that due to the purdah system and other cultural barriers, male missionaries could not easily reach women. Convinced that women must be evangelized to reach families and communities, he envisioned a local congregation of women who understood the language, customs, and culture of the region. His vision became a reality with the founding of the Prabhudasi Sisters of Ajmer. Initially guided by Bishop Caumont himself, the congregation’s formation was later entrusted to his sister, Mother Mary Fortunat SMA. Upon her retirement in 1953, the first General Chapter was held on 16th October 1953, and Rev. Sr. Imelda was elected the first Indian Superior General. She was succeeded by Sr. Perpetua, Sr. Lucian, Sr. Ancilla, Sr. Martina, Sr. Nirmala, Sr. Nancy and Sr. Divyawho faithfully continued the founder’s mission. Since 30th October 2019, Sr. Joicy has been serving as the Superior General, leading the Congregation with fervent dedication. The Congregation was formally recognized as a diocesan right institute by Rome on 7th January 1936, and in 1962, it was affiliated with the First and Second Orders of the Franciscan Family.

Rt. Rev. Fortunatus Henry Caumont, our beloved founder, was born on 10th December 1871 in Tours, France. He joined the Capuchin Order on 1st August 1889 and was ordained a priest on 19th December 1896. Just a year after ordination, he was sent to India to serve in the Rajputana Mission. With firm missionary zeal and sensitivity to the plight of the poor and marginalized, he worked tirelessly to establish the Kingdom of God in this land. He was appointed the first Bishop of Ajmer in 1913 and served for 33 years, bringing hope, light, and dignity to countless lives. In response to the social restrictions hindering the spiritual upliftment of women, he founded the Prabhudasi Sisters of Ajmer, a bold and visionary move in the history of Indian missions. He passed into eternal life on 4th April 1930. In 2018, in collaboration with the Diocese of Ajmer and the MSA Congregation, the process of canonization for our Founder was officially initiated. Now he is Called Servant of God.