About Us

With the motto "My soul glorifies the Lord," we the SMRA Sisters pursue a simple, communal lifestyle marked by shared prayer and joy.

SMRA Sisters

The Associates of Mary Queen of the Apostles (SMRA) is a local diocesan congregation in Bangladesh, founded on March 5, 1933, in Bangladesh faithfully carry out the ministry across the country, dedicated to faith, prayer and compassionate service, bringing hope and holistic support to local communities. Its founder, Bishop Timothy John Crowley, CSC, and co-founder, Sister Rose Barnard, CSC, envisioned serving the local poor, particularly children and women. The congregation actively participates in the life and mission of the Church through its charism of teaching, nursing, and apostolic availability.

Our Foundation

The Associates of Mary Queen of the Apostles (SMRA), founded on March 5, 1933, in Toomilia by Bishop Timothy John Crowley, CSC (Founder), and Sister Rose Barnard, CSC (Co-Founder).

Ther Dreamer

Bishop Josheph Armand Legrand, CSC

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The founder

Bishop Timothy John Crowley, CSC

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The Co-founder

Sister Mary Rose Bernard, CSC

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See Organizational Structure

History of the Congregation

The Context of the foundation

The offspring of the nations will deliver salvation to the homeland." The genuine reflection of this saying is realized in the life of the Associates of Mary Queen of the Apostles (SMRA) congregation. In 1893, Pope Leo XIII addressed the need of the Indian Church in his Encyclical "Ad Extremes". He emphasized that the Catholic Church in India would not be firmly established until a local organization of priests was formed. The matter was of significant concern to the respective Popes. Simultaneously, Władysław Michał Bonifacy Zaleski, the Apostolic Nuncio to India, emphasized the urgent necessity of establishing a local association of priests in India, considering this matter of utmost significance.

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SMRA Spirituality

The spirituality of the Blessed Virgin Mary expressed in her “Magnificat” (Lk 1: 46-55) is the spirituality of SMRA Congregation. “My soul glorifies the Lord, my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Lk 1:46-55) - Mary’s Spirit-inspired servant’s song of gratitude and proclamation, the Magnificat is the profound nature of spirituality of SMRA congregation. Being inspired by contemplating the Word of God and his great deeds, SMRA sisters practice Mary’s humility, obedience, trust and full consecration to the will of God.

Charism

SMRA charism is to render unconditional and joyful service towards the mission of Christ and His Church, especially towards the children, boys-girls, women, poor and sick by following the example of our patronage, Mary, Queen of the Apostles.

Main Apostolate

Education and formation, nursing care and Medicare are the main apostolate of SMRA Congregation.

Mother and child care are given special importance through the means of maternities, hospitals and dispensaries.
Religious and moral education are provided to the children and youth through the temporal means of schools, hostels, and orphanage.

Values

To be dependent on God's gifts in all circumstances.
To be one in spirit and heart with everyone and to discover God's presence in one another.
To be compassionate toward the poor and helpless.
To accept all kinds of challenges with courage for the expansion of the Kingdom of God.
To move forward in the work of the Lord with burning zeal and enthusiasm in the heart.
To move forward with competence in every apostolic work.
To serve the poor joyfully and unconditionally.

SMRA Life-style/Characteristics

Prayer and contemplation form an inseparable part of our life-style. “Contemplative apostolate and apostolic contemplation” - a beautiful link between these two-fold implicit characteristic illumines the life of her members.

Our Vision

Each sister of the SMRA Congregation dedicates herself to bringing the joy of the Gospel to the hearts of the poor and neglected people of all religions in society, and to reflecting the richness of Christ’s self-emptying love in daily life and every mission and service to the family, and devote themselves to becoming a potent bearer of the Gospel through passionate and enthusiastic service and life witness to the poor, needy, oppressed, neglected, and marginalized people from all aspects of life.

Our Mission

The call and authenticity of the mission of SMRA Sisters originates from the Holy Spirit. Thus, deeply rooted in Gospel values, our mission was born out of a desire to serve the local poor, with a special commitment to the care, education, and empowerment of women and children.

Being obedient to the mandate of Christ, the sisters are always attentive to the life and mission of the Church and response to its needs by cooperating with the bishops, clergy, laity and other religious brothers and sisters of the local Church.