The dawn of awakening has graced us, and we stand evolved, embodying the essence of our existence as Sisters of the Cross in the Province of Tenali. As we reflect upon our journey, we discern that our lives have been enriched with experiences beyond measure, all in pursuit of actualizing the Vision, Charism, and Mission in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Orissa. Today, with hearts brimming with joy, we joyfully rekindle our connection to the illustrious tapestry of our past, adorned with myriad tales of triumph and resilience. With deep gratitude, we honor the visionary Sisters who blazed trails, navigating through aspirations and adversities alike, all the while embodying the transformative Spirit of Christ and the guiding wisdom of Mother Claudine.

In the annals of history, on the auspicious day of January 14th, 1974, the Sisters of the Cross from the esteemed Province of Tiruchirappalli embarked on a sacred mission in Dornala, Andhra Pradesh. Among them, Sr. Carmelite Amritham, Sr. Colimba Thatill, Sr. Dominic Thatchuthara, Sr. Sally Sebastian and Sr.Maureen Joseph emerged as the torchbearers of this noble endeavor, their hearts ablaze with a fervour reminiscent of the indomitable spirit of Mother Claudine. As the seeds of this mission took root, its branches began to spread, nurturing communities with compassion and dedication. The fertile soil of Andhra Pradesh witnessed the blossoming of this divine undertaking, and soon, the Sisters of the Cross extended their benevolent embrace to distant corners, weaving a tapestry of service across the region.

On 1st of June, 1978, five sisters, Sr. Flora Chinnasamy, in charge of the community, Sr. Infanta Fernado, Principal of the School, Sr. Celestine Perappadan (1st year sister) secretary, Sr. Doris Thomas, B.T Assistant and Sr. Blanche Berger, in-charge of K. G. Section, were selected and sent on this mission. They were welcomed by the BHEL authorities at Secunderabad railway station and taken to BHEL Township. They were accommodated initially at Krishna guest house and later given a fully furnished new house 514 quarters opposite St. Ann’s Primary School, for which they were expected to pay a reasonable rent. The sisters officially took up the responsibility of the school on 9th June 1978. The official agreement was signed on 2nd December 1978 during Superior General Mother Constance’s canonical visit to sisters at BHEL.

In the year 1980, Nellore was graced with their presence, followed by Guntur in 1982, where their altruistic endeavors found fertile ground. With each passing year, their mission expanded, reaching out to touch the lives of those in Sulurpet in 1978, Bapatla in1982, Nandirajuthota in 1984, Kambhampadu in 1988, Secunderabad in 1992, and Gudivada in 1992; each new endeavor a testament to their unwavering commitment to the betterment of humanity.

As the Sisterhood expanded, traversing distant lands and embracing diverse communities, the logistical challenges grew apparent. The arduous journey to Tiruchirappalli for official and congregational duties became increasingly taxing for the devoted Sisters. Thus, after meticulous deliberation and heartfelt discernment, the revered Superior General at the time, Sr. Pushpam Irudayam, took a momentous decision: to carve Andhra into a separate delegation.

In the dawn of 1996, this visionary decision bore fruit as Andhra emerged as a distinct delegation, with the esteemed Sr. Audrey Kochumulakal assuming the mantle of its inaugural Superior. Guided by the steady hands of leaders like Sr. Roselin Pampakal, Sr. Alphonse Chungath, Sr. Tresa Kulandaisamy, Sr. Matilda Soosai, and Sr. Priyanthi Samala, the mission in the Andhra delegation flourished.

Under their wise stewardship, the sisters responded to the clarion call of the local church, establishing new footholds while respectfully withdrawing from certain locales. In 1999, Kollipara witnessed the dawn of a new era, followed by Vijayawada and Makkuva in 2008, and Allirajpet in the year 2016. Each new community became a beacon of hope, a testament to the enduring spirit of service and sacrifice embraced by the Sisters of the Cross.

Thus, amidst the fertile soil of unwavering dedication and tireless labour, the seeds of our mission began to sprout, yielding abundant fruits while the ranks of our devoted sisters expanded steadily. Against the currents of adversity and across daunting milestones, the delegation of Andhra etched its indelible mark upon the tapestry of history, navigating through 22 illustrious years.

A crimson-hued chapter unfolded in the annals of Andhra’s mission on the hallowed day of April 17th, 2017. With reverberating significance, the delegation metamorphosed into the exalted “Province of Tenali,” an epochal transformation orchestrated under the leadership of Sr. Priyanthi Samala, the inaugural provincial. Thus, from the womb of the Tiruchirappalli Province, Tenali emerged, heralding a new era of boundless potential in the ceaseless service of divinity and humanity.

As the province burgeoned, new bastions of compassion and service were erected, from Nabrangpur in Orissa in 2019 to Visakhapatnam in 2020, each community a testament to the enduring spirit of our sacred mission.

Presently, the province stands adorned with 55 Sisters labouring fervently across 12 vibrant communities in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Orissa, alongside a novice, three pre-novices, and nine candidates. Embracing the ethos of our revered Mother Foundress Claudine Echernier, and bearing witness to the myriad sufferings of our world, our sisters have heeded the call to make divine compassion the cornerstone of human society’s heart. Entrusted with a sacred mission, we remain steadfast in our commitment, attuned to the pulse of the world’s realities and ever-ready to heed its cries for solace.

Our mission spans across diverse fields of ministry, each endeavor a testament to our unwavering dedication to serve and uplift.

✓    Presence among the youth

✓    Formal and non-formal education

✓    Promotion of women and the family ministry

✓    Promotion of justice, peace, dialogue and integrity of creation

✓    Service of the poor and the sick

✓    All catechetical and pastoral activities and direct evangelization

✓    All professional activities all services of hospitality, all material and

domestic tasks, including the most hidden,

✓   Rehabilitation for the trafficked girls and women.