FIH Congregation History

The Franciscan sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (FIH in short) congregation was founded on 16th October 1844 by servant of God, Louis Savenien Dupuis M.E.P, a French Missionary, in Puducherry to liberate the women and make them self - reliant.

The proud privilege of our congregation is that, it is the First Indigenous women religious congregation in the continent of Asia. The congregation of FIH is an outcome of the 'felt need' of the fathers of the Diocesan Synod of Puducherry, as a result of their concern for the education of women. The Fathers of the Synod believed that the education of women become instrumental in fostering true piety in families and generally in raising the quality of families.

During the Diocesan Synod held at Puducherry in 1844, the President Msgr. Clement Bonnard, the Vicar Apostolic of Puducherry, spoke emphatically about the necessity for the education of women. The Fathers proposed the idea that an Indian Sisters' Congregation should be started and the sisters should be entrusted with the responsibility of teaching women secular education together with religious and moral education.

By the Grace of God, and the blessings and consent of His Holiness Pope Gregory XVI and His Grace Msgr. Clement Bonnand, the Vicar Apostolic of Puducherry, the seed for the new Congregation of FIH was founded. The founding father, Fr. Louis Savenian Dupuis tirelessly worked for the growth of the Congregation till his death on the 4th of June 1874. Following the footsteps of our founder, the Directors and the Superiors General paved the way for the growth of the Congregation.