​The CARITAS ARCHEPARCHIAL SECULAR INSTITUTE FOR
WOMEN was formally started by Mar. Thomas Tharayil on May 13, 1961. This
monumental step, which established the first Secular Institute in the Syro-
Malabar Rite, was inspired by Pope Pius XII’s Apostolic Constitution Provida
Mater Ecclesia and the Motu Proprio Premo Feliciter.

​The Bishop issued the Constitution and Rules (Decree No. B69/62) on
May 13, 1962. The founder himself undertook the training of the initial
members, supported by Miss Clare Vaillancourt, an International Auxiliary, and
Miss Maria Mueller from the Wurzburg Medical Mission Institute.
​Eighteen candidates made their first profession of vows on June 29, 1962.
A decade later, on June 9, 1972, eleven of these members made their final
profession