SD at a Glance

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute (SD) is a religious institute of Pontifical Status founded in Chunangamvely, Kerala, India in 1927. The motto of the Congregation is “the compassionate love of Christ urges us”. The Founder of SD is Venerable Fr. Varghese Payapilly, who was a priest of the Diocese of Ernakulum in Kerala. He was ordained on Saturday 21 December 1907 at the age of 31 at Papel Seminary Chapel, Kandy by the then Bishop of Kandy, Msgr. Clemens Pagnani OSB. After completing fruitfully his Syriac study, Fr. Varghese was assigned to pastoral ministry at Kadamakudy as the parish priest. Later, he served also as the vicar of Alangad (1910-1913& 1916-1920), manager of St. Mary’s School, Aluva (1913-1918 & 1922-1929) and vicar of Arakuzha(1920-1922). The founder was deeply moved by the deplorable condition of poor people in Kerala and got inspiration and enlightenment from the Words “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt.25:40). Five young women from Kizhakkambalam happened to meet together and shared their ardent desire to serve the poor and destitute in a new congregation. They expressed their desire to the Archbishop Mar Augustine Kandathiland the Archbishop directed them to Fr. Varghese Payapilly. It is with these young women as pioneers that Fr. Payapilly founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute along with the first home for the aged destitute and made it take place on 19 March, the feast of St. Joseph. Fr. Varghese Payapilly died of typhoid on 5 October 1929 and buried in St. John Nepumsian’s Church Konthuruthy. Then the responsibility of the Congregation was entrusted to Msgr. George Valliarumpeth who was appointed as its director and the spiritual director of the sisters. 41 years he did this service very faithfully. The Charism of SD is “to carry on the mission of Christ by becoming a channel of compassionate love and by personalizing the inner attitudes of Christ who revealed the infinite compassion and love of the Father to the poor who are destitute and oppressed.” SD has the apostolate to become Good News to the poor and destitute through the ministries of compassion. Evangelization is the primary goal of all the apostolic activities of our Congregation at all times. The main Activities of SD are Destitute Homes for the aged and infirm; Rehabilitation to the physically challenged; Rehabilitation to the mentally challenged; Terminal Care centers for those suffering with incurable diseases such as cancer, HIV/ AIDS; Care Centers for dementia and wandering ladies; Palliative care centers for the aged and sick; Healing ministry in both Govt. and private hospitals; Imparting education in schools; Providing moral education and counseling; Non- formal education in slums and villages; Family welfare services including de-addiction in slums and villages; Prison ministry; Women empowerment Programmes; Pastoral ministry and Legal Aid & Human resource law network.

As of 2023 March SD is spread out in 5continents, 13 countries in six provinces and one region with a total number of 1890 professed sisters. The superior general is the highest authority within the Congregation and she carries out her duties assisted by her council at the Generalate at Thottumugham, Aluva. SD is flourished from Kerala to India, Nepal, Italy, Rome, Germany, South America, Latin America, and Africa.There are 18 communities with 87 sisters in abroad for SD. In Africa SD is established in Madagascur, Keniya, Ethiopia and Tanzania and engaged with various activities according to the needs of the locality.