The Congregation of the Holy Family (CHF) was founded in 1914 at Puthenchira by Saint Mariam Thresia, with the noble mission of strengthening Christian family life and imparting Gospel values to families. Inspired by her deep conviction that the renewal of the world begins with the renewal of families, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the family apostolate, reaching out with compassionate love to heal, guide, and sanctify families. The foundation of the Congregation received its formal beginning when Mar John Menachery visited the “House of Solitude” at Puthenchira on 13 May 1914. After careful discernment, he granted hierarchical recognition to the community. On 14 May 1914, in the parish church of Puthenchira, he officially proclaimed the establishment of the Congregation. On that grace-filled day, Mariam Thresia received the religious habit, professed her perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and was appointed the first Superior, while Venerable Fr. Joseph Vithayathil was appointed as its chaplain and later came to be revered as the Co-Founder.
This indigenous Congregation of the Syro-Malabar Church grew steadily under divine providence. Following the passing of Saint Mariam Thresia on 8 June 1926, after a life wholly spent in loving service—visiting families, consoling the suffering, and leading them to a deeper union with God—Fr. Joseph Vithayathil continued to nurture and guide the Congregation. His devoted leadership preserved the spirit and charism of the foundress, guiding the Congregation through its early years, including the first General Chapter on 30 May 1942, until his death on 8 June 1964. Recognizing its growth and valuable contribution to the universal Church, the Congregation was raised to the status of Pontifical Right on 1 August 1978.
The Church gradually affirmed the sanctity of Mariam Thresia: she was declared Venerable on 28 June 1999, beatified on 9 April 2000, and canonized on 13 October 2019 by Pope Francis. Today, she is venerated as the Patroness of Families, Prophetess, and Apostle of family life.
The motto of the Congregation, “Thy Will Be Done,” reflects its spirit of surrender to God’s divine plan. Its vision is to imbibe the compassionate love of Jesus Crucified through contemplation and meditation on the Word of God, while its mission is to share this love with all—especially families—and lead them into the communion of the Trinitarian Family. The charism of CHF is compassionate love flowing from a deep union with the Crucified Lord, expressed through dedicated service to families in the spirit of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The spirituality of the Congregation is deeply rooted in the Gospel, drawing inspiration from the mysteries of the Holy Family of Nazareth, the Passion of Christ, and the Eucharist. Following the example of Saint Mariam Thresia and Venerable Fr. Joseph Vithayathil, the Sisters strive to live lives marked by obedience, humility, self-emptying, love for sacrifice, and profound fraternal charity.
The final exhortation of Saint Mariam Thresia to her daughters—“Love one another and help one another”—continues to echo as a guiding light for the Congregation’s life and mission. Today, the Congregation of the Holy Family has grown into a vibrant global presence with around 2,000 members, organized into ten Provinces, one Vice-Province, and one Region, serving the Church in India and across several mission countries including Italy, Germany, USA, Ghana, Ecuador, Canada, Kenya, South Sudan, Slovakia, Peru, and Ireland. Faithful to the charism of compassionate love, the Sisters continue their mission through family apostolate, education, healthcare, social service, and pastoral ministry—striving to strengthen families and build a society rooted in faith, unity, and love.