History

All great events have humble beginnings, and the story of CFIC in India is no different. It was the result of a providential coincidence between the dreams of Fr. Giovanni Cazzaniga, the Superior General of CFIC in 1973, to establish a presence in India, and the desire of Fr. Mathew Chemmarapally, a diocesan priest, to join a religious congregation.

In September 1969, Fr. Mathew met two CFIC religious, Fr. Peter Broghi and Bro. Romeo Simoni, at Cheruvandor, Kottayam. By the end of the year, he received an invitation from the Superior General and presented it to his Bishop. After a long period of silence, he was granted permission to join the congregation. Consequently, Fr. Mathew departed for Rome in June 1971. A few weeks later, a group of youngsters from different parts of Kerala also arrived in Rome. In September 1971, Fr. Mathew was admitted to the novitiate at La Storta, Rome.

On June 24, 1972, Fr. Mathew, accompanied by Fr. Victoria, visited India and obtained permission from Bishop Cornelious of Vijayapuram Diocese to open the first house, Nirmalagiri, in Peroor. The first house, Nirmalagiri, was blessed on May 25, 1976, by Bishop Cornelious.

After the initial growth, which prioritized vocation and formation, CFIC in India gradually flourished, engaging in a variety of charitable activities that manifest all aspects of the charism of its founder, Blessed Luigi Maria Monti. Currently, the Indian CFIC has eleven communities. Although it originated in Kerala, CFIC expanded its presence and established branches in neighboring states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

On December 25, 2000, CFIC in India became a province, marking a milestone in its journey. In order to embody the spirit and charism of Father Luigi Monti in India, the brothers have chosen almost all sectors of apostolic activities, such as assisting physically and mentally challenged children, educating youth, caring for orphaned and needy boys, and engaging in pastoral ministry.