Brief History of Bethlemite Sisters Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Our Institute of Bethlemite Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, originated from the Bethlemite Order founded in Guatemala in 1658 by Blessed Brother Pedro de San José Betancur, a layman from the Canary Islands. Known for his deep faith and dedication to serving the poor, especially the mentally ill and destitute, Pedro dedicated his life to God’s service through the poor, offering them refuge and care. His house welcomed all seeking spiritual and material help. Attracted by his example, several brothers from the Franciscan Third Order joined him and embraced his guidance in living out the radical demands of the Gospel. Inspired by the Lord’s Nativity and his love for this mystery, Pedro dedicated his house to our Lady of Bethlehem, and his community became known as the Bethlemites. In 1668, inspired by Pedro, a female branch was established. The Institute faced challenges over the years, reaching a point of spiritual stagnation. In 1838, Maria Vicenta Rosal of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, entered the Beaterio de Belen as Maria Encarnacion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Elected prioress in 1855, she undertook the reform and revitalization of the Beaterio, writing a new Constitution in fidelity to Pedro’s spirit and their evangelical experience. Due to resistance, she founded a new convent to preserve the Founder’s charism. This new Institute was officially recognized by the Church with a laudatory decree on February 20, 1891, and received definitive approval in 1909. The Bethlemite community gradually expanded into Ecuador, Panama, Colombia, Central America (including Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica), Rome (Italy), and later into India. Currently, we have five provinces: Colombia, Central America, Ecuador, Rome, and India. Our Generalate is in Bogotá, Colombia, and the present Mother General is Irma Cecilia Fuentes Pérez from Colombia.”
Our Founder, Pedro Betancur, was canonized on July 30, 2002, and our Mother Encarnación Rosal was beatified on May 4, 1997, by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. Our Charism: Bethlehem and the Cross
We are dedicated to the work of evangelization through education, social work, and pastoral care, which includes involvement in schools, dispensaries, orphanages, homes for the elderly, and parish activities. Our vocation entails proclaiming Christ and communicating His message of salvation with unity in faith and love, aiming for the realization of human potential, while being faithful to the Spirit who speaks to us through history and various means.
Faithful to the charism of our Holy Founders, we are committed to evangelization, which seeks to involve all people in the mystery of Christ, with a special preference for the poor.
Our evangelizing efforts are carried out through:
• Education: Reaching people of all classes, especially children and youth.
• Social, Health, and Charitable Services: Assisting children, young people, and the elderly.
• Christian Community Formation: Promoting and inspiring Christian communities in missions and parishes.
The Congregation is organized into five provinces:
1. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Province: Encompassing Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, the USA, and Spain.
2. Saint Michael the Archangel Province: Comprised of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Nicaragua.
3. Our Lady of Bethlehem Province: Covering Ecuador.
4. Immaculate Province: Located in Italy.
5. Holy Brother Pedro de San José Betancur Province: In India.
The Indian Bethlemite Sisters initially belonged to the Italian Province and were formed in Rome for nearly fifteen years. As their numbers grew, Professed Sisters were sent to India to establish new communities and serve the needy in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. This initiative was supported by Bishop Balaswamy, then Bishop of Nellore, who also encouraged the formation of Indian girls in Italy. On February 19, 1980, the first Bethlemite Sisters from India, following their initial formation in Italy, returned to their homeland to propagate the Bethlemite charism through their mission.
In recognition of their commitment and dedication, Superior General Mother Berenice Moreno announced the formation of the Holy Brother Pedro de San José Betancur Province in Circular Letter No. 29, dated June 19, 1998. This province, which encompasses all communities in India, was formally established on December 8, 1998. Sister Imelda Sánchez Botero, a Colombian Sister, served as the first Provincial Superior. We recently concluded yearlong Silver Jubilee celebrations on December 8, 2023. These celebrations provided an opportunity to reflect on our past, assess our present, and envision our future, inspiring us to action. It is therefore fitting to update and share our story during this historic event.
At the time of the Province’s establishment, there were 49 Sisters and 4 novices of Indian nationality: 23 were perpetually professed Sisters, and 26 were junior Sisters. Among them, 39 Sisters were assigned to 6 communities in Kovur, Kothur (Andhra Pradesh), Koovathur, Porur, and Thaiyur (Tamil Nadu), and Pondicherry. Eight Sisters were in Italy, and 2 were in Colombia. Since then, the Province has expanded to include additional areas in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka. Currently, our Sisters serve in 12 dioceses across 4 states (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka) and 1 Union Territory (Puducherry). The Province now comprises 96 Sisters and 3 novices. Among them, 83 are assigned to 16 communities across South India, 5 are in Colombia, 2 in Dallas, USA, 1 in Spain, and 5 in Italy.
From the initial establishment of the Bethlemites in India in 1980, through its elevation to an independent Province in 1998, and over the subsequent 25 years, we have experienced the Lord’s continued presence and guidance, holding us firmly in His protective grasp. A year ago, we relocated our Provincial house from Nellore to Bangalore to benefit from increased spiritual, pastoral, and moral support, with the permission of Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bangalore. This house, which has been a formation centre for over 20 years, now serves dual purposes: the ground floor functions as the Novitiate, and the first floor houses the Provincial offices. To sustain ourselves, one Sister is employed at Sacred Heart Brother’s School, and two Sisters serve at Norbertine’s School.
We express our heartfelt appreciation for God’s unwavering presence with us Bethlemites. God of Bethlehem, continues to guide and support us in our mission. His divine love and protection inspire our work and sustain us in our journey. We are deeply grateful for His continuous walk with us, enlightening our path and strengthening our commitment to serve.
