In all of Asia there is just one monastery of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (Concepcionistas Franciscanas) and it is at Grande Rumbordem in Curtorim. What’s unique of this congregation of Catholic nuns is that, unlike most other religious congregations that receive and sustain on financial assistance through running of schools and colleges, the sole mission of the nuns in this congregation is prayer.

The Curtorim house, ‘Dhyanalaya’, has six sisters residing of which just one is a Goan. “We are self-sufficient with whatever revenue we receive through the preparation and sale of hosts (communion hosts),” says Sr Maria, the superior at Dhyanalaya, who hails from Chinchinim. “Besides the income from the sale of hosts, there are many generous people around who drop in to help in kind,” she adds.

“It is more of a family life in each community with love and concern for one another. Our charism is to live the mystery of the Gospel as contemplatives. The Conceptionists consecrate themselves totally to God, espousing Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, in honour of the Immaculate Conception,” Sr Maria explains.

Sr Maria is the only Goan in this congregation, while the other sisters hail from the south, mostly from Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh. “Besides spending most of the time in contemplative prayer, we also visit families around,” she reveals.

The Conceptionists, who spend much time in contemplative prayer, rely on God’s providence for their daily needs. “We have never run short of food and we believe it is Divine Providence assisting us every day. We live one day at a time and are content with what we have,” Sr Maria adds.

The congregation was founded by St Beatrice de Silva in 1489 in Toledo (Spain). Today they have a presence in Europe, America and Latin America. The house in Goa was inaugurated in February 2011.

“Initially, our sisters abroad were involved with work in factories, followed by binding work at printing presses. There are no servants to assist us in the kitchen and the various household tasks are distributed among the sisters and each one carries out their respective assignment diligently, with love and care for each other,” says Sr Maria.

With regards to the growth of the congregation, Sr Maria says there’s not much propaganda done about the mission and works carried out by the sisters. “It is basically through word of mouth that others come to know about our congregation and some show willingness to join and experience Christ in all simplicity,” she says.