By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy
New Delhi, June 12, 2026: With hearts full of gratitude, we journey through this Platinum Jubilee year, remembering with affection our friends and benefactors who have walked alongside us over the past 75 years.
The Archdiocese of Bombay welcomed us in 1951, offering temporary accommodation at Vile Parle as our pioneer sisters arrived from Italy.
It was a great moment because 14 years ago, in 1937 another team of pioneers had arrived in New Delhi, after they were expelled from China during the World War II. Not finding a place of welcome in India they had proceeded to Philippines.
We remain deeply grateful to Cardinal Valerian Gracias, then Bishop of Bombay who welcomed us into his Diocese, and Bishop Longinus Pereira, then Parish Priest of Vile Parle who wholeheartedly supported us in our initial stages at Vile Parle.
We fondly recall the generosity of the Canossian Sisters at Mahim, who hosted our sisters until we could move to Vile Parle.
Our mission began humbly, with family visits and the distribution of good reading books received from the Philippines and the United States. Our Founder, Blessed James Alberione, taught us to trust in Providence and to live by the work of our hands. He gave us St Paul as our model and patron.
The early years were marked by hardships, as our pioneers simultaneously learned the local language and engaged in the mission. Illnesses and lack of finance tossed the young sisters’ life but they were also strengthened.
They were never alone—Father Alfonso Ferriero, Father Tempra, and Bro Pio of the Society of St Paul, the first Paulines in India, stood steadfastly by our sisters.
Though the beginnings were challenging, the mission was warmly welcomed and deeply desired by the Diocese. In 1959, we published our first book, edited by Sister Pierluisa Albini. With the arrival of a printing machine from the Philippines in 1960, publishing took firm root in Indian soil.
Expanding the Mission
Over the years, we have been warmly received in 16 dioceses across India, rendering with joy diverse services such as Family visiting, Organising Bible Sundays and Gospel Weeks besides managing Pauline Book & Media Centres.
Local ordinaries and priests recognised the uniqueness of our mission and collaborated wholeheartedly, guiding us to venture into new apostolic activities.
We are proud that from 1973 to 2012, we initiated and managed the Diocesan Community Centre Library in New Delhi, envisioned by Archbishop Angelo Fernandes; in 1977, we were entrusted with the Catholic Enquiry Centre in Bangalore, a mission we carried out for 45 years until 2023; from 2015, we have taken up the mission Catholic Information Centre, responding to the request of the Archdiocese of Nagpur.
For nearly 30 years, our Bandra, Mumbai community hosted an interreligious programme titled: “Celebrating Unity in Diversity” under the guidance of Sr Pauline Chakkalakkal, bringing together people from all walks of life.
Recognising her achievements and contributions in nation building St Pauline was awarded “Rastriya Gaurav Award” in April 2019 by a leading NGO in New Delhi –The India Friendship Society.
Recent initiatives include A Bharatanatyam School in Trichy, the Pauline Communication Centre, and the Navjeevan Counselling Centre at Bandra—signs of our commitment to move with the times.
Sister Annie Ponmani, who has served the province as Provincial Councillor and Community Animator, reflects: “Looking back over the past 75 years, I believe that we have had a positive influence, first, on the attitudes of clergy and religious.
“They have developed a greater understanding of, and appreciation for, the value of the media apostolate in the Church and society. Consequently, they support us through their collaboration. The public has also grown in its appreciation of our ministry.
“Without their appreciation and collaboration, we could not have published and distributed millions of copies of good books, music albums, videos, and Bibles and Gospels for all categories of people.”
The growing number of invitations we receive and the attendance at our media education sessions and seminars is proof of the positive impact of our mission. As our founder said, “the results of our work will only be known in heaven.”
Goa: Tradition meets innovation
The Celebration of Pauline Biblical year in 2020-2021 opened for us a new path in mission—entering the broadcast media in collaboration with Catholic Charismatic Renewal Television (CCRTV) at Panjim, Goa.
It was a great breakthrough from our publishing mission. The collaboration of Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa-Daman, Father Loiola Pereira (Secretary to Cardinal), Father Jorge Fernandes (Director of Lay Apostolate), Father Mariano D’Costa (Diocesan Biblical Apostolate) and our Pauline cooperators played great roles in the continuity of our initiatives through CCRTV.
Robin D’Souza, founder member of Catholic Charismatic Renewal Television (CCRTV), associated with the Daughters of St Paul in Goa since 2012, recalls:
“The journey of the Pauline Sisters, officially known as the Daughters of St Paul, in Goa is a story of vision, communication, and meaningful collaboration.
“Rooted in the charism of Blessed James Alberione, the Pauline Sisters arrived in Goa with a clear mission: to proclaim Gospel values using the most effective means of communication available in every age.”
“From the beginning, the sisters understood that faith must speak the language of the people.
“In Goa, this meant engaging not only through printed books and devotional material, but also through personal interaction, dialogue, and media outreach. Their Pauline Book and Media Centre became a trusted space where spirituality met everyday life.”
In 2017, Robin and his team entered the television world, recognising that the reading habit was waning among the faithful.
He is glad the Daughters of St Paul moved along with the times. “As media evolved, so did the Pauline mission,” he recalls.
Their collaboration with CCR TV, known for community-focused Christian programming, became a strong example of adaptive spirit. Through this partnership, the sisters contributed content, insights, and spiritual depth, reaching audiences beyond parish boundaries and strengthening grassroots faith communication.
Today, the journey of the Pauline Sisters in Goa continues as a blend of tradition and innovation. Their partnership with CCR TV highlights how religious congregations can remain relevant—by embracing technology, working together, and staying deeply connected to the people they serve. It is proof that when mission meets media, impact multiplies.
Sister Lissy Maruthanakuzhy, a member of the Daughters of St. Paul and currently based in New Delhi, is a regular contributor to Matters India as well as to magazines and Catholic news agencies in India and abroad.