St Xavier’s Convent, Ajekar

Ajekar is situated Malnad area. It is a small village in Marne Grama Panchayat of Karkala Taluk in Udupi District. The dewy morning mist that mingles with the scents of freshly mown grass and slender mango trees is a perfume one could bottle and treasure  forever on a visit to St Xavier’s Convent, Ajekar. As twilight enfolds the tips of the Western Ghats, one can settle down to feast one’s eyes on the masterpiece painted by the Greatest Artist of all time.

When the Bethany sisters ventured on their mission in Ajekar, the economic condition of the people was very poor. Christian presence was just emerging. The majority of the people were illiterate. Those listed as illiterates had only primary education because there was no high school at that time. Rev Fr Ligoury D’ Souza, the parish priest of Ajekar, felt the need for a high school for the children of Ajekar. Trusting in God, despite numerous obstacles, he constructed a modest high school building with the generous help of the local people. The Bethany Sisters were invited to be in charge of Jyoti high school. Rev Mother Macrina BS, the Superior General obtaining permission from the Bishop Most Rev  Raymond D ‘Mello’ erected a community on 22^nd June, 1964 in a rented house with pioneers Sr M Honoratha BS as superior, Sr M Edburge BS as headmistress, Sr M Potence BS and Sr M Bertilla BS, and a maid Tresa D’ Souza.  Sr M Noreen BS, the Regional Superior was present  on this occasion .   

The convent was constructed in 1966, and was named St Xavier’s Convent. From this humble beginning,  the sisters concentrated on the educational apostolate and as a result the school progressed remarkably year after year. Even though the number of Catholic students was very low the school continued with growing strength and increase of sections as there was no other high school within a radius of 10 kilometers.

The children were economically poor and could not go to Karkal to continue their studies. The dire need of the time was to have job-oriented education. So in the year 1972 Jyothi School of Commerce was started with type writing and shorthand courses and tailoring and embroidery classes. This project was founded by Misereor, Germany.  The attraction of the technical studies slowly diminished in the early 1990 onwards when Fashion Designing and advanced technical institutes began to flourish in Nitte and Karkal.

10 Acres of land utilized for cultivation of paddy, vegetables, arecanut, coconut ….etc. The compound yields a lot of fruits like mangoes, bananas, sapotas and papaya. The sisters of the province have happy memories of relishing these fruits whenever they came for rest and relaxation. In 2004, the Sisters have undertaken a new project of rubber plantation which is due course of time will be a source of income of the congregation.

The Sisters are also involved in the pastoral service in the parish, and also were involved with Social Service, hence Jyoti Mahila Mandal was started in 1992 and ever since it has continued with much enthusiasm and interest. The self-help groups were initiated in 2006 and they function well.

Sr Elfreeda Pinto, Sr Deepti D’ Souza, Sr Joyce D’Souza, Sr Ophilia Lobo, Sr Shweta, Sr Therese, Sr  Clara Menezes (left) and Sr Vanitha(left) are some of the vocations to Bethany from ajekar.

Kind providence has blessed the efforts of Bethany Sisters at Ajekar from the very beginning. They have felt it’s all powerful protection, not merely in the material progress of their work and in the marked success of their students in the public examination but also in the ever-increasing number of girls and boys educated by them, who year after year are dedicating themselves in the service of God in various religious congregations. 

Pioneer   Superior : Sr M Honoratha BS 
Pioneer   Members: Sr M Edburge BS , Sr M Potence BS, Sr M Bertilla BS