The congregation of “Sisters of Our Lady of the Refuge in Mount Calvary,” founded in Italy and serving in many other countries, established its first house in Kerala, India, at Cheroor in Thrissur district on December 8, 1975. The Sisters’ mission is to care for the sick and the elderly and to provide youth education. This community embraces the charism of “being present through dedication and service in the various Calvaries of suffering and helpless people.”

At the request of the-diocesan bishop, Mar Joseph Kundukulam, the Sisters took the initiative to establish a convent, a special school, and a hostel for intellectually specially abled children. The school and hostel in Cheroor opened on the same day, December 8, 1975.

As the number of children grew over the years, a second institution became necessary. In response to the parents’ requests, the community decided to open a residential facility for intellectually specially abled girls over 50 years . While searching for a suitable location, the Sisters were invited to the Peramangalam parish, a place that had no religious communities at the time.

Happily accepting the invitation from the parish vicar, Rev. Fr. Mathew Peramangalam, and the parishioners, the Sisters agreed to establish a house and a residential institution for the girls. The land, consisting of 82.5 cents from the Peramangalam parish church and 59 cents from another person, was registered for the community on October 18, 1988. Construction for the new institution began with the laying of the foundation stone on December 6, 1988.

The cornerstone ceremony took place on January 10, 1989, attended by Bishop Mar Joseph Kundukulam, Rev. Fr. Mathew Peramangalam, the Sisters, and the parishioners. An engineer named Mr.Michael from Chittilappilly and a supervisor named Mr. Vincent from Kolukkunnny oversaw the building’s construction. On May 8, 1990, the Maria bhavan convent and the residential facility for the girls were completed. Bishop Mar Joseph Kundukulam conducted the blessing ceremony for the school and hostel. At the same time, the Maria bhavan Nursery School also started its operations.

A year later, on May 17, 1991, Bishop Mar Joseph Kundukulam also blessed the chapel in the convent. At that time, the chaplain of the house was the Peramangalam parish vicar, Rev. Fr. George Chiramel.

In addition to their work in the parish, which includes catechetical instruction, preparation for first communion, and house visits, the Sisters of this convent also serve as animators for various lay organizations such as the Mothers’ Association, CLC, and the Holy Childhood Association. Approximately forty novices have completed their postulancy training period at this house. The postulants have also received classes and guidance from the Peramangalam parish vicars from time to time.