Photo: students at Holy Family Convent
Education
Schools and pre-schools that form girls and young people in faith, learning and service, in Tamil and English.
திருக்குடும்பக் கன்னியர் – யாழ்ப்பாணம்
Since six sisters landed in Jaffna on 2 November 1862, we have lived among the people of the North as teachers, nurses, companions and women of prayer, in the spirit of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Who we are
The Holy Family of Bordeaux was founded in 1820 by Fr Pierre Bienvenu Noailles, a priest of Bordeaux who wanted Christians of every state of life to live together as one family, after the example of Jesus, Mary and Joseph at Nazareth.
The Jaffna Province is part of this worldwide family. Our communities serve in schools, parishes, hostels, care homes and villages across the Northern Province, working alongside the Diocese of Jaffna and our longtime companions, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
God Alone.Motto of our founder, Ven. Pierre Bienvenu Noailles
Our story
Key moments in the life of the Holy Family Sisters in northern Sri Lanka.
Fr Pierre Bienvenu Noailles begins the Association of the Holy Family on Trinity Sunday. Its first work is the care of orphans.
Fr Noailles and St Eugene de Mazenod sign the affiliation between the Holy Family and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, opening the way to the missions.
Invited by Bishop Stephen Semeria OMI, the first band of six sisters arrives on 2 November, the first women missionaries to serve in Ceylon.
The sisters take charge of the Catholic girls' English school in Jaffna, which becomes Holy Family Convent, the first convent school on the island.
The new convent is inaugurated, and the school moves into its building the following year.
150 years in Sri Lanka are celebrated under the theme "Towards Reconciliation", closing with a Thanksgiving Mass at St Mary's Cathedral, Jaffna.
Apostolic and contemplative sisters, associates and youth continue the mission across the Jaffna Province.
Ministries
Replace each photo area with a picture from your own communities.
Schools and pre-schools that form girls and young people in faith, learning and service, in Tamil and English.
Catechism, family visits, liturgy and youth groups in parishes across the peninsula and the Vanni.
Safe homes and hostels for children who need care, continuing the founder's first work with orphans.
Care for the sick, the aged and people living alone, in homes, clinics and through visits.
Skills training, counselling and support for women and families rebuilding their lives.
Accompanying communities after the war, and building trust between people of different faiths and backgrounds.
The Holy Family Association
Fr Noailles imagined one family that could hold every vocation. Each of these has a place in Jaffna.
Young women who feel drawn to religious life are welcome to visit a community, join a vocation retreat, or speak with our Vocation Director.
News & events
Thanksgiving Mass and gathering of sisters, associates and past pupils to mark the arrival of the first six missionaries.
A weekend of prayer, sharing and community life. Example entry: add dates and venue.
Youth from our parishes met for a day of reflection and service. Example entry: add your own story and photos.
Support our mission
Your gifts help us run children's homes, support students from poor families, care for elderly sisters and reach families still rebuilding after the war. Every offering, large or small, is received with gratitude and remembered in our prayer.
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