SACRED HEART CONVENT – THALASSERRY

The foundation of Sacred Heart Convent was established at the earnest request of Fr. Michael Montero, Parish Priest of Holy Rosary Church in Tellicherry, on 22nd March 1886. Rev. Mother Marie des Ange, Superior General, along with pioneer sisters, opened the convent in a rented house called “Stella Maris” in the heart of Tellicherry town. Later, in 1900, this house was purchased from Mr. J. Rozario. On 1st April 1886, Sacred Heart School was opened with 52 pupils on its roll. Due to limited accommodation for the sisters and students at Stella Maris, an adjoining bungalow was rented in 1888. Fr. Montero, with the help of Mr. W. Lemerle, a devoted benefactor of the convent, purchased the property in the name of the Superior General, Mother Marie des Ange.

From the start, the sodalists of Sacred Heart were a powerhouse of piety and virtue, providing a foundation for religious vocations in the Apostolic Carmel (A.C.) and other congregations. Devotion to the Sacred Heart was a hallmark of both Catholic and Hindu students. In 1891, Sacred Heart School was recognized as an upper secondary school by the DPI. A separate European school section was established in 1906 at the request of European officials, and by 1909, Sacred Heart School became a complete high school. In 1918, Miss Lilly Colaco, who later became Mother Theodosia, achieved 100% in English in SSLC—a rare accomplishment.

Mother Leonora’s efforts led to the construction of the majestic Sacred Heart Convent and Chapel, crowned with a statue of the Sacred Heart. In 1954, a small nursery school was opened, later named ‘Holy Angels’. A two-storied building was constructed at Dharmadam and blessed by the Bishop on 14th May 2001, to which Holy Angels Junior School was shifted in June 2001. Holy Angels celebrated its golden jubilee in 2003. The boarding house was closed on 1st June 2004. In 2007, land and a house were acquired for Holy Angels Convent from Mr. M.C. Mathew, brother of Sr. Purifica. Responding to the PTA’s request, the Higher Secondary section was added to the school on 17th July 2010, with commerce and humanities streams. In 2011, the foundation stone for the 125th Memorial Building for HSS was laid by Bishop Rev. Dr. Varghese Chakkalakal, and the Higher Secondary building was inaugurated by Honourable Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Mohanan, on 14th May 2013.

Two housing projects in memory of Mother Veronica were completed in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The sisters and the community have continually felt the protection of the Sacred Heart over the years.