Villa Borromeo, Bangalore
The Provincial House of the Sisters of St. Charles in India was at St. Thomas Town, Bangalore till 1976. The Province administration and the apostolic activities of the community were merged as one unit with Mother Christiane Tonneu – the Provincial Superior also functioning as the local Superior of the community for a number of years. Later a local Superior was appointed.
For better administration of the Province and the functioning of the apostolic activities the need was felt to bifurcate the Provincial administrative unit from the local unit. In 1974 the Provincial Superior and her council after prayer and discussion, initiated the process of relocating the Province Administrative office to another location. Several places in Bangalore were visited. The residence of the lawyers, Mr. George and Mr. Tony D’Costa on Mahatma Gandhi Road was for sale at the same time. This was found suitable for the purpose. The deal was negotiated and the legal formalities for the purchase of the property were in progress. At this time, Mother Christiane Tonneu fell ill; her health condition deteriorated rapidly and she breathed her last on 22nd June 1975.
Sr. Lydia Braggs, the Assistant Provincial Superior was appointed to be in charge of the province administration till the appointment of a new Provincial Superior.
It was in November 1975, Sr. Benedicta Lobo was appointed as the new Provincial Superior. The new Provincial team continued to function from St. Charles Convent, St. Thomas Town, while finalizing the purchase of the property on MG Road. The legal formalities and finding the finance needed to pay for the purchase of the house was a heavy burden on the shoulders of the new provincial team. However as we had learnt to rely on the Divine Providence with prayer, begging and borrowing the amount was paid in installments. Mother Anne Marie Carlier, the Superior General came to our rescue and our communities in India contributed the rest to complete the formalities.
On 15th June 1975 the Provincial Superior – Sr. Benedicta Lobo with the Vice Provincial –Sr. Lydia Braggs and Sr. Hilda Fernandes moved to MG Road with the mission of shifting, organizing and forming the new Provincial community. It was decided that the student sisters would reside at the Provincial House which would make it easier for them to reach their respective schools and colleges. Sr. Zita D’Souza, the Postulant Mistress, together with the postulants also moved from St. Thomas Town to Villa Borromeo. In April 1982, the postulancy was moved back to St. Charles Convent, Thomas Town.
The blessing of Villa Borromeo, the new Provincial house, took place on 22nd June 1975, on the first death anniversary of Mother Christanne Tonnaeu. Msgr. William D’Mello, the Vicar General of Bangalore Archdiocese celebrated the inaugural Mass and blest the house in the presence of the sisters of the two communities in Bangalore – i.e. Villa Borromeo and St. Charles Convent.
Mission of the Community:
Being the only Provincial house of the Sisters of St. Charles in India all the houses with their apostolates were under its administration. The house was open to all the communities for whatever needs and errands they had in Bangalore.
Meetings, seminars, courses, retreats for various groups and levels were conducted at Villa Borromeo. Though the space was restricted for bigger groups, the joy of coming together, the spirit of simplicity and sacrifice; adjusting to the circumstances and the warm hospitality of the community which is a trademark of the SCB sisters rendered all the inconveniences seem too small compared with the happiness and enrichment of ‘being a family together’ brought with it.
In 1978, Villa Borromeo was the venue for the first General Chapter in India.
In 1979, the Golden Jubilee of the Indian Mission of the Sisters of St. Charles was organized. The Province spent the whole year in Thanksgiving. The climax was celebrated at St. Charles Convent, St. Thomas Town in December 1979.
In 1983 the Province was bifurcated into the Western Province and Eastern Province with its provincial house in Perambur, Madras. Sr. Renee D’Souza was the first Provincial Superior of the Eastern Province.
Mahatma Gandhi Road was becoming a busier and noisier area with increase in traffic and high rise buildings and the need of relocating Villa Borromeo was felt. It was decided that the property be sold and a provincial house constructed in the vacant space at St. Charles Convent, St. Thomas Town. In 1993 the property at MG Road was sold to Prestige Constructions. In November 1992, the foundation of the new Provincial House was laid and on 25 March, 1995 the new Villa Borromeo was blessed at St. Thomas Town.
Here in this Villa Borromeo, we continue the same mission and also take part in the pastoral activities of the local Parish like SCC meetings, house visits, communion to the home bound and in the parish, catechesis and liturgical activities.
The provincial house accommodates the sisters studying in the various academic and religious institutions as well as serves as ‘a nest’ for the sisters of the congregation for their periodical meetings, seminars, conferences, chapters, retreats and so on.
On 25 March 2020, the new Villa Borromeo commemorated its silver jubilee of establishment.