A heritage of compassion.
A mission of hope.
Rooted in God’s merciful love, we stand with women, girls, children and communities—upholding dignity, nurturing hope and working for justice.
Discover Our Story
Our Congregation
The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd is an international congregation of Catholic religious Sisters, embracing apostolic and contemplative ways of life and carrying out its mission with Partners-in-Mission.
Founded in 1835 in Angers, France, by Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier, the Congregation embodies the reconciling and compassionate presence of Jesus the Good Shepherd. It is a non-governmental organization in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Across education, social services, advocacy, pastoral care, healthcare and community development, we seek to restore dignity, uphold rights and enable the fullness of life—especially for people experiencing poverty, injustice, exploitation and exclusion.
Our Leadership Team
Spirituality, Charism &
Mission
We are drawn by the merciful and unconditional love of God, revealed in Jesus the Good Shepherd, who sought those who were lost, welcomed those on the margins and restored hope and dignity.
Human Dignity
01We recognize the sacredness and infinite worth of every person.
Compassion
02We accompany people with tenderness, respect and practical care.
Reconciliation
03We help heal relationships and build communities rooted in hope.
Justice & Peace
04We challenge exclusion and work to transform unjust structures.
Inspired by the Gospel, we are called to be a compassionate and reconciling presence, especially among women, girls, children and all who experience vulnerability, exclusion, injustice or exploitation.
Through education, advocacy, social outreach, pastoral ministry, empowerment initiatives and accompaniment, we work with our Partners-in-Mission to create communities where each person is welcomed, valued and enabled to flourish.
Prayer, the Eucharist, contemplation and trust in God's providence nourish a spirituality of zeal, compassion and reconciliation—a spirituality lived in faithful service.
Those Who Lit the Way
Lives of courage, prayer and mercy continue to illuminate the Good Shepherd mission across generations.
St. John Eudes
A French priest, missionary and founder, St. John Eudes established the Order of Our Lady of Charity in 1641 to offer refuge, healing and hope to women seeking a new beginning. His spirituality of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary placed mercy, reconciliation and the dignity of every person at its centre.
St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier
Born Rose Virginie Pelletier in Noirmoutier, France, she founded the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd in Angers in 1835. Her courageous, global vision extended the mission to women and girls experiencing poverty, exploitation and abandonment.
Blessed Maria Droste
zu Vischering
A German Good Shepherd Sister remembered for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, simplicity, prayer and complete trust in God. Her hidden life of holiness continues to inspire contemplative depth, fidelity and wholehearted love.
Blessed Aguchita
Rosa Eluvina Bartra Díaz was a Peruvian Good Shepherd Sister who served Indigenous communities, especially women and children in vulnerable situations. Martyred in 1990 and beatified in 2022, she remains a joyful witness of courage and closeness to the poor.
Celebrating Our Journey with Gratitude
A legacy of faith, courage and service spanning over a century and a half in Sri Lanka and beyond.
The First Foundation
St. John Eudes founded the Order of Our Lady of Charity in France, establishing a mission of mercy, healing and reconciliation.
A Global Vision Takes Shape
St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier founded the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd in Angers, France.
The Mission Arrives in Ceylon
The first missionary Sisters arrived at Galle on 15 April and travelled to Colombo. Their first foundation in Kotahena began a lasting ministry of education, care and service.
Ceylon Becomes a Province
After 55 years of steady growth under the Indian Province, Ceylon was established as a separate Province, led by Mother Mary of St. Prosper.
Nayakakanda Becomes the Centre
The Provincialate moved to Nayakakanda, creating a central home for leadership, formation and the Province's developing mission.
A Historic Union
The Sisters of St. Francis Xavier were united with the Good Shepherd Sisters. The Province grew to more than 400 Sisters and entered a new chapter of service.
Contemplative Life is Established
The first Contemplative Community opened at Bolawalana, Negombo, enriching the apostolic mission through prayer, silence and devotion.
Crossing National Borders
Four Sisters left Sri Lanka for Fatimapur at the invitation of the Bishop of Multan. The Sri Lanka–Pakistan Province continued for more than 50 years, until January 2026.
A presence across
the island
From Kotahena, the mission grew steadily across Sri Lanka, responding to the needs of each era while remaining deeply faithful to the Good Shepherd charism.
For 138 years (1869 to 2007), Sri Lanka experienced the shepherding presence of missionary Sisters from overseas. Their audacious zeal established a lasting local mission that continues through our Sisters and Partners-in-Mission today.
Province Leadership
Team
Elected at the Province Chapter for a six-year term, the current team began its mandate on 22 November 2025. The team animates communities and fosters mission, collaboration and communion.