MEDONNA CONVENT, KASARAGOD – 1939

Kasaragod, with a mixed population of Muslims and Hindus, had a small minority of Catholics. To serve this community, the Diocese of Mangalore built a church and appointed a parish priest. In 1937, the people of Kasaragod petitioned His Lordship Rt. Rev. Fr. Fernandes, Bishop of Mangalore, for a girls’ secondary school. With the Mother General’s consent, the Apostolic Carmel congregation proceeded with the mission in Kasaragod.

Madonna Convent and A.U.P School, located near the Kasaragod Railway Station and surrounded by beautiful greenery near the Arabian Sea, were established in 1937, the 69th year of the congregation, during the tenure of the third Superior General, Mother Josephine. In 1939, after a renewed petition through Mr. Shammad MLC, Mother Josephine visited Kasaragod again and selected a suitable site for the Secondary School. On 26th May 1939, Mother General dedicated the house under the title Madonna Convent. After the convent’s blessing, the new school opened the next day, with Sr. Victorine in charge of the community. Her father adopted the convent as his own and often sent material gifts. The school received required recognition thanks to the support of the Inspectress.

The foundation stone for a new school building was laid in 1940, donated by Dr. Colaco as a gift to Mother Theodosia. A hostel for working women, a significant need in Kasaragod since it had become the District Headquarters, was blessed on January 1st, 1988, on the Feast of the Mother of God. A day care center was also attached to the hostel for children of working women.

The Golden Jubilee of the convent and school was celebrated on February 17th and 18th, 1990, with the foundation stone laid for the Jubilee Memorial School Block by Rt. Rev. Dr. Basil D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore. Madonna School gained a reputation for excellence, and on 25th November 2019, the Bishop of Mangalore, Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, blessed a new school building equipped with modern infrastructure.