The Congregation of the Franciscan sisters of the immaculate Heart of Mary, Quilon, is the first indigenous women’s congregation in the continent of Asia. In the middle of the 19th century, society’s attitude towards women and their educational opportunities was dismal. Women were often treated as slaves. This was a serious issue at the time, highlighting the need to promote the dignity of women and raise the standard of family life.

At this juncture, the synod of Pondicherry, held from January 18 to February 13, 1844 during the tenure of Msgr. Clement Bonnand, the Bishop of Pondicherry Mission, addressed these concerns. The key topic of discussion at the synod was the education of female children and their upliftment. Father Dupuis was assigned three important tasks during the synod.

1. To develop the Printing Press.
2. To establish a new Indigenous Religious Congregation with the main aim to educate the girl children.
3. To start Schools for the girl children.

The very zealous man of God’s providence, Servant of God Louis Savinien Dupuis, MEP founded the congregation of the Franciscan sisters  of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 16th  1844 , with the blessing and consent of His Holiness Pope Gregory XVI  and His Grace Clement Bonnand, the Vicar Apostolic of Pondicherry. The founder himself looked after the young congregation to ensure its growth.

On July 26, 1907, Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Maria Benziger OCD Bishop of Quilon brought a community of sisters from Pondicherry to Kanjiracode in the Diocese of Quilon, Kerala . On March 7, 1947, His Excellency, Most Rev. Leo P. Kierkels, CSP the Apostolic Delegate of the East –Indies, effected the bifurcation of the congregation, separating the Kerala region from the rest.

In the year 1947, His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Jerome M Fernandez Bishop of Quilon inaugurated and declared the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate  Heart of Mary as an independent Diocesan Congregation and started to flourish according to the values of the founder under the divine providence.