Ancillae Secular Institute

A life of love and service

The members are called Ancillae, and they seek to live their consecration to God in the world through the profession of the evangelical counsels -chastity, poverty and obedience.

the origin of ancillae​

The origin of the Ancillae secular institute falls in the years immediately following World War II. The tragic experiences of the despicable and inhuman dictatorship of the Nazi regime, the persecution of the Church, and the attitude of thousands of people influenced its origin.

God called our foundress, Maria Perpetua Radlmair, a woman of unique faith, for this special mission. She was a member of the Franciscan congregation in Au, Inn, Bavaria, Germany. For nearly two decades, she served in various capacities within the congregation, including as the principal of the higher secondary school and novice mistress. She was highly respected within the congregation.

During the disastrous national socialistic period, Maria Radlmair was called by God to search for a new form of consecrated life which envisaged a way of living in solidarity with the ordinary people having no external distinguishing signs or peculiarities. As time went on she felt the urgency of this call. She wrestled in prayer for many years to figure out how she could respond to this call.

Maria Perpetua Radlmair stood in total obedience to ecclesiastical authorities and her superiors. She went ahead with the establishment of the new institute, which eventually got the ecclesiastical
approval of the local bishop.

On July 4, 1946, the Bishop of Augsburg granted official permission to Maria Perpetua Radlmair to start the new institute with the name: ANCILLAE CARITATIS JESU. In 1957, ecclesiastical approval was granted to the institute by Bishop Dr. Joseph Freundorfer, who was then the Bishop of Augsburg. The Institute expanded to East Germany in 1971, marking the first territorial expansion of the Ancillae. On March 25, 1971, the Holy See granted the institute pontifical approval on the Annunciation Feast under the name "ANCILLAE SECULAR INSTITUTE."

our foundress

Maria Perpetua Radlmair, the foundress of the Secular Institute of Ancillae was born in the year 1900 in a traditional Catholic family at ‘Au am Inn’, in the state of Bavaria in Germany. After her school education and teachers’ training, she joined the Franciscan congregation in the same village.

As a devoted and talented sister, she was entrusted with various responsibilities like Novice Mistress, Principal of the school run by the Franciscan sisters, and Mother Superior of the community in Duerlauingen, where the Franciscan sisters were serving in the Diocesan Education center for mentally challenged children and youth. In deep faith and contemplative prayer, she led a very quiet, peaceful, and fulfilled life, which she described in her spiritual diary as the ‘springtime of her life’.

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MISSION

The Ancillae believe that spreading the good news of God's love and serving as living examples of Christ's love throughout the world is their unique calling. They will receive the grace of Christ's joy within them and their joy will grow complete through their daily practice of selfless serving love. As a testament to their Paschal hope, they bring that Joy into the world. The Ancillae Secular Institute aims to unreservedly dedicate to the salvific will of the Triune God in secular surroundings. As servants of His love, they live and work in the world, demonstrating His love through their example, word, and deed. Their model is the Holy Mother of God. The Ancillae profess their unity with the people of God and their mission to the world. They aim to fulfill this mission through the evangelical counsels, living in the world, and demonstrating secular conformity with Christ. They strive to contribute to the transformation of the temporal order, leading it to its perfection in Christ. The Ancillae, despite their secular character, embrace their self-surrender to God, participating in the mystery of the Son of God's incarnation, who lived in it as a man without sin. The Ancillae, based on Jesus' words, acknowledge their worldly presence as a risk they can only overcome through vocation and grace. They rely on the Lord's prayer " I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one”, to protect them from evil and remain faithful.

CHARISM AND SPIRITUALITY

Life in the world is diverse, and within the faith life, there are different perspectives. The Ancillae charism embodies a strong spirit of harmony, seeking to bring together diverse viewpoints. This adds an enchanting and mystical appeal to the Ancillae way of life, outlined in its Foundation Principles.

As Ancillae, our Foundation Principles guide our consecrated secularity, marked by divine joy and selfless serving love. They form the nucleus and spirit of our spiritual, communitarian, and apostolic life, keeping us connected to our roots and original charism.

our guidence

ROSAMMA THOMAS

DIRECTRESS GENERAL

ANCILLAE

ANIELA LICHY

REGIONAL DIRECTRESS

GERMAN REGION

BETTY GEORGE

REGIONAL DIRECTRESS

INDIAN REGION

services

Health & Wellness

Ancillae promotes health and well-being through various initiatives, focusing on primary health care and preventive practices. They provide notable mental health services, basic medical care, de-addiction services, and alternative medicine treatments.

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Pastoral Care

Ancillae serve the Catholic faithful by promoting a renewed Christian life through various support programs, including retreats,seminars, catechesis, youth animation, family care, and social media evangelization. Their efforts, grounded in the Gospel of Jesus, follow the guidelines of local church authorities and the Magisterium.

Mission to Educate

Ancillae fosters sustainable, integrated education among stakeholders, aiming to enhance at-risk, underserved, and special needs students’ academic, emotional, social, and professional paths.

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Enabling action

Ancillae’s mission is to empower stakeholders by facilitating their journey to self-control and empowerment, positioning itself as an enabler in this process. Ancillae’s empowerment initiatives foster community ownership and action for social change, addressing key factors in development and partnering with stakeholders to find solutions.

ancillae associates

The Ancillae Associates are the second circle of members attached to the Institute. They promise to strive after the Institute’s spirituality and fulfill apostolic tasks within their spheres of life. They follow a form of life approved by the General Body Meeting and are guided by a board consisting of full members and members of the second circle.

  • The Ancillae Associates are women associated with the Ancillae Secular Institute.
  • They are unable to take vows in the Institute of Ancillae but are committed to seeking Christian perfection and holiness through selfless service and love, following the example of Jesus. The association welcomes women who are married, single, widowed, employed, or retired.
  • Members keep in touch with the in-charge and other members through visits, personal correspondence, telephone, and email.
  • The Ancillae Associates meet monthly or on holidays with the authorities of the Ancillae Secular Institute. Once a year, they gather with the larger Ancillae family.
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Travel

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SERVICES

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SUPPORTERS

Health & Wellnes

ANCILLAE MOTHER HOUSE, GERMANY

GERMANY

The heart and spiritual center of the Ancillae in Benediktbeuern, Germany, serves as the Mother House for the entire Ancillae Family. While the Ancillae members live in different places and work in diverse fields—such as education, healthcare, and pastoral ministry—the Mother House ensures they remain connected through retreats, meetings, and gatherings. These deepen the members' spiritual lives and reinforce their sense of mission and belonging.

JYOTHI BHAVAN, MOOLAMATTOM

KERALA

Established on January 27, 1969, Jyothi Bhavan is the first house of Ancillae in India. From here, Ancillae members expanded to other regions of the country. Today, this parent house is a source of inspiration for both the Ancillae and the people of Kerala.

Rural Development Center, Lillipur

TELENGANA

The Lillipur Mission in Andhra Pradesh originated in 1974 as a community health mission, aiming to improve the local population's well-being. Realizing the urgent need for intervention in the impoverished social and economic conditions, Ancillae promptly established a Rural Development Center. This center was established to address the community's fundamental needs, ranging from access to healthcare to financial empowerment.

Shanthi Nivas, Bangalore

KARNATAKA

As the Ancillae Secular Institute was growing and expanding into different states, it became necessary to have a suitable and accessible place to administer and train new members. In 1979, the Mother Foundress purchased Shanthi Nivas to make it the administrative house of Ancillae in India.

Ancillae Bhavan, Thiruvambady

KERALA

Established on April 28, 1986 in Thrivambady, Ancillae Bhavan aims to support the socio-economic development of girls and young women in the area through its social service wings, the Maria Radlmair Center and Social Welfare Center for Women.

Shalom, Vattappara TRIVANDRUM

KERALA

Shalom Vattapara is an Ecumenical Mission entrusted to the Ancillae by the Diocese of Thiruvananthapuram. Ancillae has been taking care of the center for the past 50 years and the work sets new standards for special education in Kerala, highly appreciated by the people.

Krupasadan , Ernakulam

KERALA

Ancillae established Krupasadan in 1992 as a transit house and meeting place. It has since evolved into a small hostel, with members involved in counseling, pastoral activities, and family apostolate.

Radlmair Bhavan, Secunderabad

TELENGANA

Situated in the picturesque region of Telangana, Radlmair Bhavan was officially inaugurated on August 18, 1997, by His Grace Rev. Dr. S. Arulappa. This splendid establishment serves as the Ancillae formation house and also plays a pivotal role in providing remedial classes and tutorials to children from the neighborhood who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds or have dropped out of school.

Maria Niketan Thodupuzha

KERALA

Maria Niketan was founded on January 25, 1995 to support Ancillae members teaching in Palai and Kothamangalam Dioceses schools. Over time, it has expanded to include social and pastoral activities.

Madona Bhavan, Trivandrum

KERALA

On June 5, 1995, the Ancillae Extension established the "Madona Social Welfare Centre" in Kochupally, a coastal village of Trivandrum Archdiocese. The center started with tailoring classes as the initial step of a proposed community development program in Pulluvilla.

sneha sadan ,KALYAN MUMBAI

MAHARASHTRA

A momentous occasion! On July 4th, 2000, Mar Thomas Elavanal, the Bishop of Kalyan, officially blessed and inaugurated Sneha Sadan Hostel and Counselling Centre, marking the beginning of its services. This milestone event symbolized the realization of the Ancillae Secular Institute's vision to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for girls and families in need.

Ancillae Nivas, Shamshabad

TELENGANA

In 2010, the dedicated members of Ancillae embarked on their mission in Shamshabad, striving to make a positive impact on the community. After six years of unwavering commitment, Ancillae Nivas was inaugurated with the noble aim of extending a helping hand to the less privileged through educational support and a range of socially enriching activities. Notably, a haven for underprivileged children was thoughtfully established to broaden the scope of their benevolent efforts.

Shat Jingshai: Ancillae Mission in North East

MEGHALAYA

In June 2014, the Ancillae Secular Institute established its first community in Northeast India at Banuin, Upper Shillong. Recognizing local needs, they founded 'SHAT JINGSHAI' to improve the lives of children and the community. Registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, it focuses on aiding marginalized groups, especially single women and school dropouts.

DON BOSCO UNIVERSITY, TAPESIA

ASSAM

In 2018, Rev. Fr. Stephen Maveli SDB, Vice Chancellor of Don Bosco University, invited Ancillae to manage the girls' hostel at the Tapesia campus. Ancillae accepted, becoming the hostel warden, and also supports members pursuing higher education at the university and serves as a transit house for those working in Northeast India.

Ancillae, Mayanad, KOZHIKODE

KERALA

As the Ancillae Secular Institute was growing and expanding into different states, it became necessary to have a suitable and accessible place to administer and train new members. In 1979, the Mother Foundress purchased Shanthi Nivas to make it the administrative house of Ancillae in India.

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formation

formation

Formation helps individuals become integrated and stable in their life purpose. Religious formation deepens one's relationship with Christ and radiates His joy. At different life stages, formation enables the discovery of God's will. This involves, as expressed in 
“Christifideles Laici”

 

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A receptive listening to the word of God and the church

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Fervent and constant prayer without ceasing

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Recourse to a wise and spiritual guide

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A faithful discernment of the gifts and talents.

UPCOMING PROJECTS

Deepening its mission of faith and service to the people around

Let's Talk

080 29560135

Let's Meet

ANCILLAE, SHANTHI NIVAS 1/10 A MAIN ROAD, 15TH CROSS, MALLESWARAM BANGALORE - 560055

Let's Write

[email protected]

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