CARMEL CONVENT, PATNA

It took a while for the sisters of Carmel Convent, Patna, to have a residence of their own. Initially, the idea of having a school was mooted by Fr. Loesch S.J., the Superior of Patna Mission., the then architect and engineer of Patna Women’s College. Whilst plans for stabilizing Patna Women’s College were under way, Fr. Loesch urged Mother Theodosia to request the Superior General, Mother Josephine to open a school. He felt it would be worthwhile in order to increase the financial resources in view of stabilizing and expanding the college.

The school was opened in 1940 and named Carmel School. It was first housed in a rented building on the upper storey of Mr. P.K. Sen’s house, a short distance from the college. Sister Constance was the first Headmistress with Sister Maureen as her assistant. In 1946, the school was shifted to Hardi Koti until 1949, when it was accommodated at Avila Convent. In 1954, the whole ground floor was given over to the school. The school sisters then formed part of Avila Convent community.

On April 24, 1978, however, a plot on the college campus was marked out for Carmel Convent. The foundation stone was laid on 2 June, 1978, and on August 12, 1979, the house was blessed by Rev. Bishop Augustine Wildermuth, S.J. The dream of the school sisters was, at last, realized of having their own residence, with Sister Carlita as the first Superior and 10 sisters forming the members of the community. This proved to be a great asset for the better administration of the school and convent.

Sister Carlita had scarcely finished a year of service when she was elected as Provincial Councillor in 1980 and Sister Cecile was appointed Superior and Headmistress of Carmel School.

In August 1981, the two communities, Carmel Convent and Carmel Technical Institute were integrated as directed by the Superior General. The latter felt it advisable to have a separate community, which materialized on 30 May, 1984, when they left Carmel Convent to form a new community with Sister Delina as Superior.

In August 1993, Carmel Kunj was blessed, a building meant to accommodate guests as well as 6-8 staff members with the provision of a separate Primary block in January 1972 and a High School block in December 10,1983. The number of admissions in the course of the years has been steadily increasing.

Our sisters, teaching in the Primary and High School, with the help of the secular staff have maintained a high standard. Regular Catechism classes are held to deepen the faith of the Catholic children.In all our educational enterprises in Bihar, we have focused on the upliftment of women and the girl child who have been suppressed by customs and rituals detrimental to their growth.