The Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception was established in Goa in 1886 and spread from there to various parts of the country, having its headquarters currently at Mount Mary Convent, Bandra.
A Franciscan Hospitaller Sister is a person consecrated and dedicated to follow Jesus Christ and serves her brethren, especially the more needy. She commits herself to witness Hospitality, the specific charism of the Congregation, which is reflected in multiple forms of service.
As Franciscans, we follow the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi whose ideal was to live according to the Gospel. These few simple words are his Rule: “When the Lord gave me brethren, no one taught me what I should do, but the Lord Himself revealed to me, that we should live according to the Holy Gospel” (Testament of St. Francis 16 & 17). Being born and formed by the Gospel, the Franciscan vocation is open to all categories of persons and to all forms of apostolic activity.
The coat of arms of our Congregation serves as the “Arms of faith” and the seal of our Congregation has the form of a diamond shaped shield, belonging to “Ladies”.
In the upper part of the shield are depicted the five bleeding wounds of Christ.