Founder

Rev Fr. Ravel's compassion, strong faith, kindness and intelligence made him take up missionary assignment as a M.E.P. Priest at Coimbatore, with Karumathampatti as its headquarters. Unfazed by the illiteracy, ignorance, intolerance and prejudice that was prevalent among the people, Fr. Ravel worked tirelessly, identifying himself with them and imbibing their language and culture. A presbytery and a church at Wellington, and the Church of Our Lady of Rosary at Karumathampatti are the achievements of his apostolic labour. He dedicated himself selflessly and worked unceasingly by caring for the sick, education of girl children and opposing the evils of discrimination in the society. With a missionary zeal of selfless service he was inspired to establish the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in 1863. Savariammal, an uneducated village girl from Karumathampatti was the first postulant of this new congregation. Through her and many others with similar call, Fr. Ravel succeeded in inculcating the great Law of Charity in the society.

After 32 years of fruitful and self-sacrificing service as a faithful servant of God this benevolent soul, commended his spirit into the hands of our Lord on 31st January 1881. Ultimately, this milestone was well-regulated and inspired all his followers of the Franciscan sisters of Presentation of Mary to work persistenly to strengthen and shape the young girls for a bright future.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Louis Ravel’s teaching to the Presentation sisters is

"To live as the living teaching of the great law of charity, which is the true foundation and beautiful summary of the Christian religion."