In 2004, at the RNDM Province Assembly, a frank discussion on initial formation in the Province led to the realization of the need to provide a new base for the sisters and aspirants to continue their university studies. The North and South provinces with their resource limitations, found it difficult to accommodate our candidates for Plus 2.

It was felt that it was time for the RNDMs to have place in the Province for study purposes. It was becoming obvious that the formation house could not be located in Bengal due to changing admission policies in the State. The only option was to therefore acquire a place in the state of Bihar, where the RNDMs already had two mission stations. The sisters from the mission stations would frequently come to Patna, the Capital of Bihar, for medical treatment and for transportation during a long journey. They always depended up on the hospitality of other congregations.

The sisters decided to look for an appropriate house, knowing that a good range of services might be provided through a new formation house in Bihar. Patna is the capital of the Indian state of Bihar. The modern city of Patna is situated on the southern bank of the Ganges. The city is a major educational and medical centre, in addition to being the administrative centre of the state. Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited place in the world, and one of the fastest growing cities in India. Though geographically located in the Magadh region of Bihar, many residents of Patna are natives of one of the four other regions of Bihar- Bhojpur, Mithila, Vajj, or Ang, which differ only slightly from each other. Intermarriage and cultural intermixing among the people of the five regions has been very common. People are religious and family-oriented, and their lives are deeply rooted in tradition. Although the culture is similar among the regions, the dialects spoken are quite different. Patna has gradually emerged as a major center of learning in East India. Schools in Patna are either run by the state government or by private trusts, organizations, and missionaries.

In June, 2004 with the help of Archbishop Benedict Osta and Fr. Devasia, the RNDMs were able to locate and obtain a temporary house in Patna 67, Loufiele, Patna 800011.This house belonged to a Catholic family whose children are settled aboard. Fr. Pradip SJ, a member of the family, negotiated with his brothers for the power of attorney so that he could take up the matter and speed up the work. Though we wished to purchase this property, the transaction and registration of the house and property did not take place due to some disagreement among the brothers.

Srs. Deepthi Mathew Maliackal Provincial, Jaya Joseph Kunnumpuram and Anita Dung Dung remained in Patna for about a year, looking for another suitable place. Meanwhile with the assistance of Fr. Vincent, the parish priest, we were able to purchase a better house in Fairfield Colony, a newly established residential area near Kurji, Patna. Though the house is rather small, provision is given for two more additional floors. The house was blessed by the parish priest on 8th September 2005. Since then this community is been open to number of aspirants and sisters who have completed their college studies.

Fairfield is an area where almost every second building is an educational institution, most of them providing hostel facilities. The Jesuits have a number of prestigious educational institutions especially a college, where various religious congregations send their sisters for higher education. Their presence and contribution in the development of Bihar is commendable. It is known as a Christian Para (area) with a vibrant church. There are retreat centers where human/spiritual formation is easily accessible.

The RNDM community in Patna is committed to take care of the student sisters and aspirants, and to provide an appropriate environment for study and initial formation. At present, there are four student sisters and four aspirants. Sr. M. Thomas is the animator and bursar of the community. The sisters also engage in family visits and pastoral care, thus bringing a difference to the lives of the local people through their presence.

Fairfield RNDM Study House

Sisters at the House

Another view of the building's facade