The Pontifical Mission Societies in Los Angeles

Order of Servants of Mary Aikiya Annai Province #1838

Who are we? The Order of Servants of Mary is a Catholic Congregation of Priests and brothers. It was founded by Seven Holy Men in the year 1233 in Florence, Italy. The Charism of the Order is to promote true Marian devotion and preach the good news through humble service to all. For 790 years, the Servites have quietly and very devotedly rendered their service all over the world and to all classes of people: Christian, non-Christian, secular, communist, rich, and poor.

The Order’s presence in India was established in 1974 with its first Pastoral place at Mahabalipuram, a place of historical and cultural importance but at the same time, a place where many impoverished people lived. Soon it grew to become numerous religious, pastoral, educational, and mission institutions. The total number of native priests is 71. The province is blessed with 15 professed seminarians, 9 Novices, 8 pre-novices, and 4 postulants. The formation period for seminarians expands from 11 to 13 years providing ample time for formation and training. It enables them to prepare spiritually and intellectually to respond to God’s gracious call in Christ and to put faith into action.

The Purpose of Mission Appeal

The purpose of mission appeal is to be able to assist financially the following ministries.

• Evangelization and pastoral institutions in India and Myanmar
• Formation of young men to religious life
• Educational Ministry
• Community Service
• Social Service

Evangelization & Mission Work

Servite Friars are engaged in evangelization and pastoral ministry in the south of India and in Thongwa, Myanmar. Since most of them are in rural areas, they require assistance even for their day-to-day operations. The following are Servite mission parishes and institutes:

• Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Siluvaipurm (Diocese of Thanjavur),
• Arul Matha Parish, Muppaiyur (Diocese of Sivaganga),
• Arputha Matha Parish, Kilnathur (Diocese of Vellore),
• Infant Jesus Parish, Sholinganallur – Chennai (Diocese of Chingleput)
• Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Poompozhil Nagar (Archdiocese of Chennai- Mylapore)
• Jegan Matha Parish, Trichy (Diocese of Trichy).
• Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Thongwa, (Archdiocese of Myanmar)

In our administration of the parishes, the lay formation is given more importance. In all the parishes various associations are active and dynamic. The Basic Christian Communities strengthen and foster faith and fraternal communion. By our presence and way of life, we witness Christ to all people of faith. Our Mission work in Myanmar, a country that is once again under rigid military rule, is primarily evangelization combined with accredited social service that removes barriers to self-sufficiency and wholeness, such as life skills education, counseling, family stabilization, service to the sick and the vulnerable, living assistance to impoverished/orphaned children, relief during natural disasters etc… We do this along with our Servite sisters whose presence has been established more than ten decades ago and who are blessed now with over 100 and more institutions that include orphanages, boys & girls’ hostels, schools, Tuition & Vocational training centers and evangelization in rural countryside. We serve the poorest of the poor. We have been evangelizing since the last military Regime and amid all the challenges of survival.

Social Service

• We have been involved in various social activities. We run women empowerment programs in three locations: Muppaiyur, Perumaleri, and Kilanthur. Various trainings are imparted to enable them to earn their livelihood in a dignified way. They learn tailoring, greeting card making, and craft work. As of now, more than 500 women have been trained to be self-employed.
• We also manage an old age home in Trichy where the disadvantaged and abandoned men and women are freely taken care of. At present, there are 23 older people who are provided care.
• We have distant adoption programs in five locations where we identify needy children and help them pursue their studies. Through this program, 250 students have benefited.

Formation of young men to religious life

We have five formation houses: Postulancy at Thanjavur, Pre novitiate at Trichy, Novitiate at Perumaleri, Mamallapuram, Post novitiate at Chennai and Bangalore. Although the cost of maintenance of seminaries and seminarians are ever increasing, they are so essential for religious training of young students. Once they successfully complete their formation, they not only serve in their proper countries but also sent to other parts of the world where service is required and requested. In Myanmar, we have a good number of students in religious formation. There are five simple professed brothers doing their philosophy and theology, nine novices, and 10 postulants.

Education Ministry

Formal education: We operate three matriculation schools: Senario Matriculation School in Muppaiyur, Vailankanni Matriculation School in Perumaleri and Jegan Matha Matriculation School in Trichy. The first two schools are in rural areas. Through our Schools, we provide education for the poor and the less privileged section of the society. In Siluvaipuram we and the staff administer the diocesan schools. In Kilanthur we just now started Servite Nursery and Primary School among the poor people.

Other ministries of the Servites in the Province

Relief and Rescue Operations: During Tsunami, we extended our helping hand in a big way. We worked in many places. We rendered our service from preliminary relief work to providing them a permanent housing and equipment for living, like boats, nets, etc. To the riot victims of Orissa, we provided permanent housing through the Archdiocese of Cuttack – Bhubaneswar.

Healing Ministry: Through the propagation of St. Peregrine devotion, we try to bring solace to the sick and the suffering. We organize prayer services in our churches and visit the sick. Propagation of Marian Devotion: Through preaching, we try to propagate the true Marian Devotion. We have a Mariological institute in Chennai where periodical classes and seminars are organized to teach the right knowledge and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Conclusion

The proceeds from the Mission Co-op are spent on evangelization, mission expansion, education to the less fortunate children, and care for the aged and the sick. We do not have significant external support for our mission works. The income generated locally is barely enough for the ordinary expenses of the religious communities. We rely on the support of the mission co-op to make our mission flourish.

Support the Order of Servants of Mary Aikiya Annai Province #1838

You can support the Order of Servants of Mary Aikiya Annai Province #1838 through your prayers and monetary donation by making a check payable to THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH, 3424 Wilshire Blvd 3rd Fl., Los Angeles CA 90010, memo #1838. You may also donate online by clicking the donate button. When making an online donation, reference #1838 in the Memo box. Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.