38 years after the foundation of our congregation, Mother Pankratia Widmer, the second Superior General, sent four sisters to India – Bettiah, Bihar, to establish our charism. Thus Bettiah has an important historical significance for our Indian sisters. The tragic death of three of the pioneer sisters, who contracted cholera while caring for the sick, inspired and gave courage to the Indian sisters for generations to this day to work for the poor.
There are presently five communities in Bettiah, one of which Holy Cross Convent, St. Teresa was founded in 1894. The original purpose of the community was to look after the orphans, teach the Hindu girls to read and write, teach the older girls normal housework and visit the dying in hospital. A teachers training school was opened in 1922 and St. Teresa’s School for Girls in 1938. Today, amost1000 children attend St.Teresa’s Girls‘ Primary School and more than 1200 girls attend St. Teresa’s Girls’ Senior Secondary School. It is impressive to see so many girls in one place. And of course they presented a very nice program with cultural and modern dances.
7 of the 8 sisters teach in the schools and one sister is responsible for the bookkeeping and proper accounting. The sisters are also involved in the parish and visit families once a week.
