The Sadhu Sevana Sabha was founded by Rev. Fr. Thomas Maliekal on 8th September 1975 in Mallussery, Archdiocese of Ernakulam, with a special focus on Serving the Poor. This Association of women was officially approved as a pious union of women living in common by the then Archbishop of Ernakulam, the Late Cardinal Joseph Parecattil, through his Decree No. 12/MIS148/83 on 24th May 1983.
Over the past 25 years, this pious union has grown both in Membership and Apostolic activities, now encompassing 12 communities. The Late Cardinal Antony Padiyara supported the growth of this union with fatherly affection and care.
At the request of the Superior General, His Eminence submitted the Statutes of the Union to the Holy See, seeking permission to elevate this Public Association of Christian Faithful to the status of a Religious Congregation.
Upon receiving the necessary approval from the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, the late Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly and Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, issued a decree establishing the Sadhu Sevana Sabha as a Religious Congregation of Eparchial Right, in accordance with CCEO Can. 506.
