Bethany Convent, Badyar

Badyar is a small village located 63 kilometres east of Mangalore, in Belthangady Taluk. It is situated along the route from Mangalore to Dharmastala, with a junction called Gurvayanakere, from which Badyar is about 2 kilometres to the north.

The journey of the Bethany Congregation in Badyar began with Sr Ena and Sr Roshel, who were the first sisters to arrive in the area. They were familiar with the village, having previously visited Tulu Christians after catechism classes held every Sunday in Mangalore. They would stay with the Ursuline Sisters in Belthangady and make daily visits to Badyar, where they shared the compassionate love of Jesus with the local people. Sr Ena primarily worked in the health centre, serving the Tulu Christian community. Despite their poverty, the people were rich in spirit and had a deep faith. Education was also a focus, with several vocations arising from this place. Here we have Badyar is a Primary School run by the Catholic Board of Education.

The first Bethany community at Badyar was formally established on May 31, 1984, in the presbytery of Rev Fr Gerald Lobo, who is now the Bishop of Udupi. On January 4, 1998, Sr Mabel initiated the ‘Open School’ for school dropouts. St Raphael’s Higher Primary School, also under the Catholic Board of Education, took an active interest in the all-around development of its students.

Sr Ena served as the first Superior of the community. The foundation stone for the new convent building was laid by Sr M Sylvine, the Superior General, on December 12, 1986. The convent building was completed and ready for use on October 31, 1987.

Over the years, many sisters have served in Badyar. Sr Ena, Sr Therese, Sr Carithas, Sr Sunil, Sr Clerita, Sr Leoba, Sr Vitalis, Sr Jyothsna, Sr Shubha, Sr Janet, and Sr Flossy Menezes severed as the animator of the community. Many sisters have rendered their services in the school and in the hospital. Sr Carithas, who lived and served here, passed away on June 7, 1996, and became the first Bethany sister to be buried at Badyar.

For the past 10 years, the sisters have not been involved in the school directly, but their presence in the community continues through frequent family visits. The relationships built by the pioneering sisters remain strong, and the community is sustained through participation in Small Christian Community meetings and prayer services, taking the catechism classes, involved in the Parish council and various committees of the Parish. This ongoing connection reflects the vision of the founder, to bring Christ to all people, especially those most in need.

Currently (2024-2025), the Badyar community consists of seven members. Sr Janet serves as the animator, while Sr Jyothsna is the Assistant Administrator at Fr LM Pinto Hospital in Badyar, Sr Saritha and Sr Veena Jyothi continue to serve in the hospital.

Sr Renilda, Sr Carmine and Sr Irene spend their retired lives in prayer ministry. 

Pioneer   Superior : Sr Ena BS 
Pioneer   Members:  Sr M Roshel BS, Sr M Therese Sequeira BS, Sr M Lucian BS, Sr M Benignus BS, Sr M Lolita BS