India: Canossian Sisters Lead Lenten Outreach, Inspire Young Students in Mumbai

A Lenten outreach initiative led by the Canossian Daughters of Charity in Mahim, Mumbai, west India, brought students face-to-face with the realities of suffering, as they visited homebound parishioners in a gesture of compassion and faith.

The initiative, organized during the third week of Lent, was spearheaded by Sr. Sheela Dsouza, headmistress of the Canossa Primary School in Mahim West.

In collaboration with catechism teacher Mrs. Salome Dsouza and Ninette D’Souza, a former teacher, a group of young Catholic students visited the sick and elderly from St. Michael Parish and Our Lady of Victories Parish. With parental consent, the children carried fruits provided by their families and spent time offering smiles, brief conversations, and prayers to those confined to their homes.

The experience proved deeply formative for the students. Often removed from the harsh realities of illness and isolation, the children encountered firsthand the value of presence and compassion. Their simple acts of kindness were met with gratitude and blessings from the homebound.

The outreach reflects the broader mission of the Canossian Daughters of Charity, a religious congregation founded by St. Magdalene of Canossa in Italy. Known for their commitment to education, catechesis, and service to the poor, the sisters continue to respond to pastoral needs across communities.

In Mumbai, the congregation plays a vital role in parish and educational ministries. They serve at St. Michael and Our Lady of Victories parishes in Mahim West, while also managing several institutions, including Canossa High School, Canossa Preparatory and Kindergarten Schools, a Primary School, a Night High School for girls, and a co-educational Special School.

Extending their mission beyond urban centers, the Canossian Sisters have also maintained a longstanding presence in Talasari, a rural area in Palghar district. The mission there marked 75 years last November, reflecting decades of close engagement with local communities through pastoral care, education, and social outreach.

Continuing this spirit of service, a group of 20 Lay Canossians, comprising former students, teachers, benefactors, and well-wishers, is scheduled to visit the Talasari mission on March 19, 2026, accompanied by their spiritual guide, Sr. Maggie Vaz. The visit highlights the active involvement of lay collaborators in the congregation’s mission.

Through initiatives like the Lenten outreach and sustained service in both urban and rural settings, the Canossian Daughters of Charity continue to embody a mission rooted in faith, compassion, and solidarity, reaching out especially to “the least, the lost, and the last.”