ST. XAVIER’S CONVENT, KOLAYAD – 1939

Kolayad is a mission station located in the forest area of Kannavam. In 1932, Mother Isabel purchased twelve and a half acres of land, but the time was not yet right to begin missionary work there. Meanwhile, a school for girls was opened by the parish, managed by two secular teachers.

In April 1939, Bishop Proserpio S.J. of Calicut approached Mother Josephine, the then Superior General, to take charge of the parish school in Kolayad. Mother General instructed the Superior of Sacred Heart Convent, Tellicherry, to establish a filial house at Kolayad. It was proposed that the sisters commute daily by bus to the school, as there was no accommodation available for them.

Rev. Fr. James Montinari S.J., a devoted missionary at St. Cornelius Church, along with Brother Baviera S.J., added a shed to the existing school building and partitioned part of it with bamboo taties to create sleeping quarters, a kitchen, a store, a refectory, and bathing rooms. This arrangement welcomed Sisters Milburga and Lydia on June 5th, 1939. An orphanage was also established to improve school attendance, and children were accommodated within the school itself.

On January 26, 1944, the Bishop came to bless and consecrate the crucifix, ciborium, and chalice. Mother Josephine requested him to hand over the school building and the surrounding land to the Apostolic Carmel. With his consent, Frs. Sequiera and Gregory marked out the boundary. As the school upgraded to a Higher Elementary School, the Children’s Home saw an increase in numbers, creating accommodation challenges.

The sisters received a donation of Rs. 1,21,200/- from Misserior for a new building for the children’s home, with the foundation laid in February 1980. On November 9, 2009, the foundation stone for the new convent was laid, and the construction was completed and blessed by Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal on February 15, 2011.

The foundation stone for the Children’s Home was laid by Sr. Ancilla on October 7, 2014. On November 21, 2015, Bishop Alex Vadakkumthala blessed the Children’s Home. The old children’s home, which was not demolished, was remodeled into 12 rooms for working women and was blessed on June 18, 2016.

St. Xavier’s Children’s Home continues to serve girls from remote areas who come from broken families. They receive special coaching, counseling, and opportunities to develop their talents, as they remain our primary concern.