Why Dreaming?

In 19 centuries, Bengal then was known for its famine, natural calamities, illiteracy and undeveloped social system. In those days Indian women in the zenana custom were bound to keep themselves busy only with household works. The social structure did not allow them to go out of their homes. Looking at a man was considered taboo for a woman. They were deprived of education, and were oppressed by harmful superstitions.

Native customs opposed male physicians to attend to female members of society. It was practically impossible in Hindu-Muslim cultures for women to be attended by male medical practitioners. They would rather die than to see to male doctors. Many women, especially pregnant women whom were not allowed to see male doctors both mother and child die. Specially, the condition of pregnant mothers trapped in the sunless and airless and allegedly unhygienic condition broke the heart Bishop Crowley with pity for them. This situation motivated Bishop Crowley to open a local congregation with local girls.

In 1927 three Holy Cross Sisters (Sister Alga, CSC, Sister Rose Bernard, CSC, and Sister Rose Monica, CSC) served at Toomolia. Teaching, preaching, serving the orphan, helping in the boarding house of premature widows, attending to the sick and giving medicine in the dispensary were the main apostolate of the sisters.

Sister Rose Bernard who noticed the miserable situation of village women also felt the need to start a new congregation with the local girls. It is true that the engagement of the native Sisters among their own people would be easier and fruitful than foreign missionaries. From experience, the natives know the nature and customs of their people. They have lived among Hindus and Muslims since childhood without arousing any suspicion and it was indeed very important especially in times of crisis.

Bishop Crowley took the initiative to start the new congregation. Sister Rose Bernard was appointed as the Novice Mistress. The eight students, those who had received Diploma of grade VI from St. Mary’s Junior School at Toomilia, were chosen to be the first

members of the new congregation. On March 5, 1933, at the chapel of Holy Cross Sisters at Toomilia, through a liturgical ceremony, they entered into the new congregation and thus ‘The Associates of Mary Queen of Apostles’ (SMRA) was born. Toomilia St Mary’s Convent is their Mother House. 

From the beginning until 1952, the Congregation was under the Holy Cross Sisters. In 1952 the SMRA Congregation was handed over to its local authority. Sister Mary Agnes, SMRA, who was the first Superior General. The Holy Cross Sisters then left Toomilia, Panjora and Rangamatia and were settled at Dhaka city in order to run the Holy Cross School and College. The SMRA Sisters took over the responsibilities of the apostolate in the schools, dispensaries, hostel, orphanage and other social and pastoral activities. 

After the death of its founder in 1945 to this day the successive Bishops of the Archdiocese of Dhaka, + Archbishop Granner, CSC, + Archbishop Theotonius A. Gangulee, CSC, + Archbishop Michael Rozario, DD, + Archbishop Paulinus Costa, DD, Bishop Theotonius Gomes, CSC (Auxiliary bishop of Dhaka), Archbishop Patrick D’ Rozario, CSC, Archbishop Bijoy D’ Cruze, OMI, and Bishop Subroto B. Gomes (Auxiliary bishop of Dhaka),  are accompanying and fostering the growth of this local missionary congregation.  

The Superior Generals of the Congregation who served in the highest authority were + Sister Mary Agnes, SMRA, + Sister Mary Petra, SMRA, + Sister Mary Marilyn, SMRA, + Sister Mary Teresa, SMRA, Sister Mary Priti, SMRA, Sister Mary Dipti, SMRA, Sister Mary Anita, SMRA, Sr. Mary Minoti, SMRA and Sr. Mary Shubhra, SMRA (Present).