Mother Veronica (Miss Sophie Leeves), Foundress of the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel, Mangalore, was deeply religious and highly intellectual. She was English, the daughter of an Anglican Chaplain to the British Embassy at Constantinople. Born on October 1, 1823, she was received into the Catholic Church on February 2, 1850. A life of prayer and renunciation culminated in the dedication of her whole self to the education of youth in the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition. On September 14, 1851, she became Sister Mary Veronica of the Passion, and the Cross had a large place in her life making her in truth, a victim.

She came out to India and at Calicut met the saintly Carmelite Bishop, Marie Ephrem, who guided her in her work of founding the Apostolic Carmel, a Congregation of Carmelite women devoted to teaching. She obtained the sanction of the Holy See and, leaving her own Congregation, she joined the Carmel of Pau, France, and then prepared a band of young girls, French, English and Irish, and sent them to India in 1870. Three years later, when the Apostolic Carmel was firmly established on Indian soil, she returned to the Carmel of Pau, making the Apostolic Carmel the special object of her prayers and affection. In 1906, God called her to Himself, to reward her for her life of love, labour and sacrifice.

Mother Marie des Anges was the last living link to the original band of Sisters consecrated to service by the Foundress Mother Veronica of the Passion. Mother Marie des Anges passed into the annals of the Apostolic Carmel as the first Superior General who from her homeland in France made Mangalore the field of her unstinted labours for all of nearly 40 years from 1870-1909.

The mighty Banyan tree had fallen, but it was not like Mother Marie des Anges to neglect to prepare for what the future must inevitably bring. There arose another powerful leader to take her place – Mother Aloysia of the Sacred Heart, who she herself trained. Sister Aloysia would level the ground and lay out the garden of the Apostolic Carmel and many others would help to arrange the designs.
At the First Canonical General Chapter held in the year 1910 God’s hand was placed on Mother Aloysia, who was thrice returned as the Superior General of the Apostolic Carmel (1910-1928). With Mother Aloysia’s election to this post, the Congregation could be said to have become truly an indigenous one.

In Mother Josephine God chose one whose very features suggested strength, discipline, obedience, self-denial, love… There was a serenity and firm determination in her face, which was the outward expression of a rock-ribbed devotion to duty, deep faith and trust in God. She would lead the Congregation to answer God’s CALL to fight poverty and illiteracy.
The journey was a detour into villages Coondapur and Kemmannu, then Goa, Kerala and again Ceylon and Poona. Two great centres of learning were opened – Patna Women’s College and St. Ann’s Teacher Training College.

The journey continues – the CALL is raised again and again… At the 5th General Chapter God showed His greatness, His power and might – Mother Annunciata of the Divine Heart was elected – known as the “Woman of the gentle touch”. Mother Aloysia, that great lover of souls, saw beneath the weak exterior of Mary Coelho, a stalwart in Virtue and Wisdom and exclaimed “were Mary to live but a year in the Institute, I would not regret having received her”
The Valiant Woman called to lead the Apostolic Carmel as its Superior General bowed down before God’s will, and in humility and in anguished acceptance exclaimed: “I cannot work for the Institute; but I can die for the Institute.”

THE JOURNEY OF THE APOSTOLIC CARMEL NOW WINDS HOMEWARD..
In December 1947, God chose a woman frail in body but strong in intellect. Stunned and afraid to say YES to God’s choice, like Mary, her humility quailed before that office of responsibility – but “fear not” the Master said, “My hand, not yours is on the Pilot’s wheel” – the assurance given, Mother Sylvia traversed ground the A.C. had not tread on before. The Master pointed to her the unbeaten path and she obeyed. Twelve years of toil, struggle, journeys, interviews, discussions and Formation.
The CALL came from North, West and North East India. All links in the unfinished chain: In Kerala a First Grade College.

Providence singled out yet another woman to remember –
Mother Theodosia, to lead the Apostolic Carmel to greener pastures.
Mother Theodosia was the first A.C. to be called as Auditress to Vatican II. As the first President of the CRI she opened Mater Dei as a Formation House for Sisters. Young Juniors were sent to the United States. Many sisters were sent to distant lands for studies – United States, Rome, Belgium and Canada. In tens and twenties, did we see sisters pulled out from all corners of the A.C. world and sent for Higher Education. She opened a centre for Higher learning – Carmel College, Goa.

Carmel’s Queen now makes her choice and gently places her mantle on her worthy and loved daughter Mother Carmelita to lead the Congregation.
The lover of Carmel’s Queen had much to consider – Vatican II had brought in many changes, the Apostolic Carmel had made big strides in Education and had entered the Medical, Nursing and Social fields. ‘Sign Posts’, she said, must be planted all along the way of our Journey towards the Promised Land. If not, the very raison d’être of our existence for the Church and in the Church will be lost. The first to appear was the A.C. Prayer House ‘Maria Kripa’ at Maryhill – it would be the A.C. Oasis for A.C. Sisters thirsting for the Lord.

The recording Angel thus continues to record the DEEDS of THE COVENANTstruck with Mother Veronica throughout the journey of the Apostolic Carmel – until the consummation of time…
Sr. Mariella the Master called…
Do you love Me more than these … yes, I do
Where you lead me… I WILL GO..
My crook then I place in your hand.
Use me dear Master to spread your love and the fragrance of Carmel.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES…
Who are you she gently asked.
I AM WHO I AM
FEAR NOT
RISE, CLASP MY HAND AND COME…
COME VINCENT, COME WITH ME
YOU WILL CONTINUE THE HISTORIC JOURNEY OF THE APOSTOLIC CARMEL AND LEAD MY FLOCK TO THE THIRD MILLENNIUM.
Sister Vincent answered the CALL and prepared the Apostolic Carmel to journey in the Spirit towards the NEW EVANGELIZATION.

THE LINK CONTINUES…
At the 18th General Chapter God placed His hand on Sr. AGATHA MARY – a gentle woman said YES LORD, I WILL FOLLOW YOU.
• In 2009 April the Congregation celebrated the Death Anniversary of Mother Marie des Anges at St. Ann’s and Rosario Cathedral. On 4th December 2010 the Kenya Mission was raised to East Africa Region with Sr. Susheela as is first Regional Superior.
• Sr. Agatha Mary steadfastly laboured at deepening the Contemplative dimension of the Apostolic Carmel by providing experience in contemplative prayer for all through retreats and seminars on the topic.

A hundred and forty four years of the Apostolic Carmel’s Journey have now passed and the CALL comes once again – the LORD OF EARTH SEA AND SKY BLEW THE AFRICAN HORN and gently asked Sr. Susheela the Regional Superior of the East Africa Region to follow Him –
‘Will You’ He asked and the answer came after the Lord looked at her and said
‘BE NOT AFRAID FOLLOW ME’
BEWARE, BEWARE, BEWARE
STRONG WINDS OF CHANGE ARE BLOWING
DO NOT LET WORLDLINESS ENTER IN – POWER, FAME, NAME, COMFORT, EASE, PLEASURE, MONEY, GAIN –
THE TEMPEST IS RAGING – BEWARE

On the 23rd of February 2020 at the 20th General Chapter
Held in the SESQUICENTENNIAL YEAR
His hand was placed on Sr. Maria Nirmalini.
I made my Covenant with Mother Veronica
I gave growth to her seed
Mother Marie Des Anges I chose
To journey to the promised land – India
And see the dawn of the Year of Grace: 1900
She with her daughters 83 crossed over to the 20th Century.