About Us

Let’s Know Short Story About St. Martin de Porres Hospital.

Magdalene Gabriella, Marchioness of Canossa blazed the trail for the Canossian Institute, which became a reality in 1808. Until 1860 the Canossian houses were only in Italy. The urge and zeal of Magdalene to spread beyond Italy was realized in 1860. The motive behind the venture was Sr. Luigia Grassi, who ventured for service in the distant mission lands, to face the difficulties of an alien culture and to reach out to the poorest of the poor. Sr. Maria Stella was the head of the first group to Hong Kong. Fired by zeal and at the cost of tremendous sacrifice the Canossians, generously responded to the call from India to work at Cochin in 1889. Thus started our mission in India.

The year 1946 was a red-letter day in the annals of the Chirakkal Mission at Cherukunnu. The seeds of St. Martin de Porres Hospital was planted in the rocky, hilly, unnoticed, uncared ground. The tiny seed was nurtured and cherished by the founders of the mission, namely, by Rev. Fr. Joseph Taffrel and Rev. Fr. Peter Caironi. The elements of growth were practically nil, as there was not a single bye lane or a muddy road connecting the villages. In short, there were no means of transport and communication whatsoever, but they worked with determination and abundance of positive attitude, facing challenges and adverse situations as opportunities to make Jesus Christ known and loved. Their life itself was an open Bible that anyone could read.

St. Magdalene of Canossa's exhortation "walk with the times" were heeded at the request of Rev. Fr. Peter Caironi. The Regional Superior sent Sr. Caroline Roncalli, Sr.Marcellina and Sr. Margaret Lonan to start the work in this mission. The very next day itself they commenced their works of charity of teaching girls- needle work, caring for the sick and visiting the villages. Italian sisters soon learnt the vernacular to converse with the villagers. One of them knew the language and tried to manage the works with the help of others. The zest and enthusiasm of the committed missionaries left no stone unturned.

Caring for the sick was the urgent need of the time and a dispensary was opened at the door of the convent. Clothes and medicines were sent from Cochin and the sick were given shelter in the limited place. Rev. Fr. Caironi wanted them to visit the villages with the First Aid Box and he desired that sisters be trained in Nursing and Midwifery

In 1952 Rev. Fr. Joseph Taffrel started the dispensary building and in 1953 the building was inaugurated. The very same year the 1st trained nurse, Sr. Felicita Pinto joined the pioneers and the 1st delivery was conducted on a bench provided by Rev. Fr. Caironi. Since there were no hospitals, many flocked to the dispensary.

Recognizing the greatest need of the times, Rev. Fr. Joseph Taffrel built the maternity ward in 1956. At this juncture the enthusiastic missionary. Sr. Antonietta Sala arrived in Cherukunnu. With her deep faith in God, unique leadership qualities and hard work she raised the dispensary to the standard of a hospital

The humble beginning of the hospital started in Jan. 1961 and was officially inaugurated by the then Health Minister of Kerala, Sri. V. K. Velappan and blessed by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. A. M. Patroni [lateBishop of Calicut].

With the Blessings of Almighty and the timely help of benefactors and well- wishers the hospital gradually expanded by leaps and bounds. MISERIOR contributed to the construction of operation theatre and Doctor's quarters which were inaugurated in 1965. All the works were done by the local people under the guidance and supervision of the sisters.

Dr. Meenakshi from Payyannur offered her help to attend the night calls in the hospital. However on 16th March 1964 God sent us the greatest gifts in the form of Dr.Antony Olickal and Dr. Thankamma Olickal who were graduated in Padua University. They were the first resident doctors. Their presence smoothened and eased the tension the sisters were experiencing in taking care of the patients. The visible good done made its impact felt far and wide. The works were on the increase and the Institution was happy to have Dr. T. J. Mathew, who joined in 1966. He was a generous and cheerful giver and all those who encountered him experienced the healing touch and his memory remains forever. He gave his very best to the Institution. The very same year S. H. Block was opened. Hospital was equipped with X-Ray and Clinical Laboratory to provide better medical care.

By now Fr. Caironi who was all in all of the Chirackal Mission showed signs of ill health and was forced to go to Italy. Since Fr. Caironi's heart and soul was in the mission, he returned with Mr. Crespi, a real friend and a great benefactor in 1966. Together with Sr. Sala they drew up the plans and schemes for the care and treatment of Hansen's disease, for they were the marginalised, castles, voiceless and downtrodden of the society. In the words of our Mother Foundress - the privileged poor whom we were fortunate to care preferentially.However Rev. Fr. Caironi's condition grew worse and to the extreme grief of all, he expired on May 26th 1966, bearing intense suffering heroically. Mr. Crespi and Sr. Antonietta Sala worked with determination on the various plans and projects. To cater to the needs of the Hansen patients and inhabit them Leprosy Centre was built in 1968. It was Blessed and Inaugurated by Cardinal Valerian Gracious and was named as Fr. Peter Caironi Rehabilitation Memorial Centre where 7000 patients were treated and rehabilitated .Those years a plastic surgeon, Dr. August Beine from Germany was visiting our hospital. He performed the re-constructive surgeries for the patients.

The expansion went on gradually and slowly. In the year 1971, Canossian Institution was registered as a society. Dr. Sebastian and Dr. Philo arrived in October 1973 and Dr. Antony G. Kavalam and Dr. Jessie on 11th July 1974, and they contributed greatly to the growth of the hospital. Their services rendered perseveringly added feather to the expansions. The hospital continued to take shape with the installation of various equipments which were required in caring for the patients. The surgical and O. B. G. department was inaugurated on 25th Feb. 1978 by His Excellency, the Governor of Kerala, Smt. Jyothi Venkatachalam several distinguished dignitaries were honoured and witnessed the function, which enthused us to go ahead, no matter what may be the hardships and challenges with the sole aim of bringing Glory to God and humanize the surroundings

During this era the Canossians all over the world were celebrating the Bi- centenary of the birth of St. Magdalene of Canossa our Foundress. A few houses for the homeless known as Canossa villa were constructed and the keys of the houses were handed over by Rev. M. General, Filomina Annoni to the residents.

The humble beginning of the hospital started in Jan. 1961 and was officially inaugurated by the then Health Minister of Kerala, Sri. V. K. Velappan and blessed by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. A. M. Patroni [lateBishop of Calicut].

With the Blessings of Almighty and the timely help of benefactors and well- wishers the hospital gradually expanded by leaps and bounds. MISERIOR contributed to the construction of operation theatre and Doctor's quarters which were inaugurated in 1965. All the works were done by the local people under the guidance and supervision of the sisters.

Dr. Meenakshi from Payyannur offered her help to attend the night calls in the hospital. However on 16th March 1964 God sent us the greatest gifts in the form of Dr.Antony Olickal and Dr. Thankamma Olickal who were graduated in Padua University. They were the first resident doctors. Their presence smoothened and eased the tension the sisters were experiencing in taking care of the patients. The visible good done made its impact felt far and wide. The works were on the increase and the Institution was happy to have Dr. T. J. Mathew, who joined in 1966. He was a generous and cheerful giver and all those who encountered him experienced the healing touch and his memory remains forever. He gave his very best to the Institution. The very same year S. H. Block was opened. Hospital was equipped with X-Ray and Clinical Laboratory to provide better medical care.

By now Fr. Caironi who was all in all of the Chirackal Mission showed signs of ill health and was forced to go to Italy. Since Fr. Caironi's heart and soul was in the mission, he returned with Mr. Crespi, a real friend and a great benefactor in 1966. Together with Sr. Sala they drew up the plans and schemes for the care and treatment of Hansen's disease, for they were the marginalised, castles, voiceless and downtrodden of the society. In the words of our Mother Foundress - the privileged poor whom we were fortunate to care preferentially.However Rev. Fr. Caironi's condition grew worse and to the extreme grief of all, he expired on May 26th 1966, bearing intense suffering heroically. Mr. Crespi and Sr. Antonietta Sala worked with determination on the various plans and projects. To cater to the needs of the Hansen patients and inhabit them Leprosy Centre was built in 1968. It was Blessed and Inaugurated by Cardinal Valerian Gracious and was named as Fr. Peter Caironi Rehabilitation Memorial Centre where 7000 patients were treated and rehabilitated .Those years a plastic surgeon, Dr. August Beine from Germany was visiting our hospital. He performed the re-constructive surgeries for the patients.

The expansion went on gradually and slowly. In the year 1971, Canossian Institution was registered as a society. Dr. Sebastian and Dr. Philo arrived in October 1973 and Dr. Antony G. Kavalam and Dr. Jessie on 11th July 1974, and they contributed greatly to the growth of the hospital. Their services rendered perseveringly added feather to the expansions. The hospital continued to take shape with the installation of various equipments which were required in caring for the patients. The surgical and O. B. G. department was inaugurated on 25th Feb. 1978 by His Excellency, the Governor of Kerala, Smt. Jyothi Venkatachalam several distinguished dignitaries were honoured and witnessed the function, which enthused us to go ahead, no matter what may be the hardships and challenges with the sole aim of bringing Glory to God and humanize the surroundings

During this era the Canossians all over the world were celebrating the Bi- centenary of the birth of St. Magdalene of Canossa our Foundress. A few houses for the homeless known as Canossa villa were constructed and the keys of the houses were handed over by Rev. M. General, Filomina Annoni to the residents.