Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph, Guntur Province

Short Description of our Province

 

History (brief):

The Society of Jesus Mary Joseph is one of the international congregations in the Roman Catholic Church, founded by Rev. Fr. Mathias Wolff, S J in 1822 in Holland with a view to furthering the cause of women education.

 

We are Sisters of Jesus Mary Joseph (JMJ) called by the Spirit to cross-frontiers of culture, language and belief, living in International Communities to carry out the mission of Christ by our apostolic work. We live in the spirit of our Founder Rev. Fr. Mathias Wolff S.J, in obedience with the. Charism, "Ever Adaptable Apostolic Availability".

 

Our Spirituality:

"A simple gesture of /love and a sign of patience are of more value than all the riches of the world. ·A simple person who loves God above all and leads a deeply spiritual life lives on a far higher level than one who, though he is a great scholar, is not really spiritually alive."  - Send by the Lord (P.M. 11)

 

Our Vision:

The JMJ sister seeks to live a Eucharistic centered life in total openness to the will of God. Thereby, she is constantly urged to liberate herself in the spirit of detachment, to build the Kingdom of God through an "Ever Adaptable Apostolic Availability" for the glory of God and the development of all people, especially the poor and the marginalized.

 

Rapid strides of JMJ

Very soon the Congregation spread out to the whole of the Netherlands to extend services to the education of girls. In course of time, many young, elegant, and enthusiastic candidates joined the Society, and started promoting education and religion in Netherlands. The Society of J.M.J. made rapid strides over the years. Following the principles of her founder, has grown into a grand Banyan tree that spreads itself across Indonesia, India, Africa, Italy, USA and Nepal to provide a shelter to the orphans, handicapped, marginalized, refugees services, aged, HIV / AIDS patients and has a network of schools, colleges, hospitals and social service centers.

 

Present structure (brief):

Guntur is one of the Indian provinces of the Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph. The province runs schools, healthcare centres, social-service projects and formation houses and is part of the wider national / international JMJ structure governed by the General Council.

 

Strength of the Province:

The Guntur Province serves through 31 communities and more than 90 institutions engaged in various ministries, including social work, medical care, education, homes for the aged, homes for the destitute, as well as pastoral and evangelical apostolates. The Province consists of 253 sisters who are serving in several countries, including India, Italy, the USA, Ghana, Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Nigeria, and Isernia.

 

Priorities:

• Education (especially for girls) and formation
• Healthcare and community health outreach
• Social apostolates for the poor, women and marginalized
• Strengthening formation and vocation promotion.

 

Challenges:

• Maintaining vocations and formation in changing times
• Financial and staffing pressures in running schools and health centres
• Ensuring safeguarding, compliance and quality care across institutions
• Reaching remote and marginalized communities while sustaining programs.

 

Numbers (professed / novices / postulants):

 

Key Concerns:

• Decline in Vocations: Fewer young people are joining religious life, leading to concerns about the future workforce and mission continuity.
• Aging Membership: An increasing number of elderly sisters require greater healthcare, support, and resources.
• Deepening Spiritual Life: Ensuring that members remain rooted in prayer, community life, and the charism amid modern distractions.
• Formation and Leadership Training: Preparing capable formators, superiors, and leaders to guide communities effectively.
• Community Living Challenges: Addressing issues of individualism, communication gaps, and strengthening unity and collaboration.
• Impact of Technology and Media: Managing the influence of social media and digital culture on religious values and community discipline.
• Sustainability of Apostolates: Ensuring that traditional ministries (education, healthcare, social service) remain relevant and viable amid new regulations and social changes.
• Financial and Legal Compliance: Adapting to changing government policies, financial regulations, and administrative requirements.

 

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