History

Pushpikalaya, Kolkata, serves as the Central House of the Regional Vicariate of West Bengal and North-East India under the South Kerala Province of St. Joseph, Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD).

The history of the Carmelite mission in West Bengal and North-East India began on *3 June 1998, when a group of friars of the then Commissariat of St. Joseph, under the leadership of **Very Rev. Fr. Wilfred Miranda OCD*, embarked on a missionary journey to Kolkata with the dream that “all may know Christ and His Gospel.” After arriving at the historic Howrah Station and witnessing the majestic Hooghly River and the famous Howrah Bridge, the missionaries envisioned the blessings of Christ flowing throughout the region.

With the encouragement and support of *His Grace Most Rev. Henry D’Souza, Archbishop of Calcutta, and the assistance of local clergy, arrangements were made to establish a Carmelite presence in the city. As an initial step, two flats in the heart of Kolkata were acquired and blessed by the Archbishop on **6 June 1998. The new mission was entrusted to the patronage of **St. Thérèse of Lisieux*, the Little Flower of Jesus.

The pioneer community consisted of *Fr. Albert Peter OCD* and *Fr. Joseph K. Z. OCD, who began residing in the newly acquired house and assisting in various pastoral ministries in nearby parishes. As the mission expanded, **Fr. Lucious Athipozhiyil OCD* and *Fr. Marcel A. Fernandez OCD* joined the community, while the first missionaries moved on to establish new mission stations.

In order to strengthen the mission, theology students including *Bro. Manual OCD, Bro. Paul Alby OCD, Bro. Francis Sales OCD, and Bro. Marydasan OCD* were sent to *Morning Star Theological College, Barrackpore*, preparing them for future missionary service in the region. Following their ordinations, the Carmelites initiated a new mission at Panchankonda in the Diocese of Baruipur. Although this mission was later returned to the diocese due to personnel and financial constraints, it reflected the missionary zeal of the growing community.

The community was canonically erected on *20 February 2005*, marking an important milestone in the development of the Carmelite mission in Eastern India.

The Carmelites have a long-standing connection with the Archdiocese of Kolkata, where the Carmelite Sisters (OCD) have been present since *1937* at Outram Street. Continuing this rich Carmelite tradition, Pushpikalaya has become a center of prayer, fraternity, pastoral ministry, and spiritual renewal.

Today, the monastery offers spiritual assistance to diocesan clergy, religious congregations, and lay faithful through retreats, recollections, spiritual direction, and Carmelite formation programs. Recognizing the need for a larger facility, the Vicariate has acquired approximately four acres of land near Science City, Kolkata, with plans to establish a new monastery and social development initiatives for the local community.

## Mission

* Coordination of the Regional Vicariate
* Promotion of Carmelite spirituality
* Pastoral and sacramental ministry
* Spiritual direction and retreats
* Formation and vocation promotion
* Service to dioceses and religious congregations

*Motto:* Prayer • Fraternity • Mission

Read more : https://southkeralaprovinceocd.com/kolkata/