FOUNDATION
Rev. Fr. Gerald Francis, Founder of SDM, originally belonged to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI). When he received a special call from the Holy Spirit, after duly being discerned amid the present realities, he responded very carefully and planned to spend all his energies to develop the remote villages. He wanted to develop these villages at various levels, like social, economic, educational, and pastoral. It was fully backed by his mother, the Congregation of Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI). Till today, they appreciate his efforts to build rural India. Initially, he founded the Society of St. Eugene De Mazenod (SDM) on November 11, 1990, with a tiny group of three young men. Now it has grown into more than 135 members hailing from different parts of India. Our society specifically cares for the most backward, Dalits, children in need of care and protection, widows, and differently-abled. We also work for the elderly, who are at risk in rural areas and whose needs are neglected.
INSPIRATION & ORIGIN OF OUR SOCIETY
The Origin of my charism has the root in the life of St. Eugene De Mazenod. As a seminarian, I loved to read his life history intensively. His love and compassion towards the poor and needy touched me very much. As a young boy, moved with pity, offered his cloak to a poor charcoal worker is still vivid in my memory. Later, as a priest, he took great care of the orphans and nurtured them. A deep desire arose within me to live like founder
When my non-Christian parents became Christians, their close relatives abandoned them and all the helps were denied. My parents with six children lived in utter poverty. At this juncture, providence played a great role in my life. An unknown Australian lady adopted me and rendered her selfless help till her death. I was very much haunted by a thought, that is, “I was helped in my need, and it is my turn to help others in their need”. From that time onwards, I realized my vocation to serve those who are in need. My opportunity came when I met orphans in Bangalore. Moved with compassion, I wanted to help them. I tried in the orphanages and boarding schools, but none of them came forward to accept and help them. My one week of tireless search became vain. I was deeply hurt by the children’s utter helplessness.
A voice within impelled me to start a society to help the helpless. Without any pre-planning, trusting the providence of god and guidance of mother Mary, heeding to the call, ventured to fulfill my vision. Hence, the Society of St. Eugene De Mazenod (SDM) was born. There is a ray of hope for the million of helpless children to find home in the society.
-Very Rev. Fr. Gerard Francis OMI