Their motto was: “GOD ALONE.”

The six young women were Blandine Barrère, Dominiquette Barrère, Eulalie Barrère, Marie Barrère, Jeanne Duffo, and Marie Dupuy. A seventh young woman from Escala, Jeanne-Marie Barrère, later joined them.

Initially, these young women dreamed of a contemplative and cloistered life. However, the people of Cantaous soon approached them, asking them to establish a school for the children of the village. Shortly afterwards, they were also invited to care for the sick. Thus, from the very beginning, their desire to belong completely to God found expression in their openness and availability to the needs of the people around them.

Under the guidance of Fr. Bazerque, the parish priest of Cantaous, the young women formed their first community. The parishioners, supported by their parish priest, planned to build a convent for them. The young women themselves joined the villagers in the construction work. While the building was being completed, Fr. Bazerque offered them his presbytery as a temporary residence.

For seven or eight months, the young women divided their time between the church, the construction site, and their homes. Finally, on 14 August 1843, the eve of the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, they crossed the threshold of the presbytery and began their life together in community as novices. The Congregation traditionally celebrates its foundation on 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption.

What began as a small seed of faith soon became a flourishing Congregation. The growth in both numbers and apostolic activity was remarkable. From the original six sisters in 1843, the Congregation grew to approximately 800 sisters in 1888, with 140 houses by 1889. This growth, however, came at the cost of incessant difficulties, sacrifices, and crucifying trials, through which the sisters remained faithful to their vocation.

A Mission of Service

The words of Christ, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation” (Mk 16:15), became a guiding inspiration for the young Congregation.

The Foundresses soon understood that their experience of God and their sharing of His love in community could not remain within the confines of their own lives. It had to be proclaimed through generous, selfless, and compassionate service to those in need.

From its very beginnings, the Congregation therefore committed itself to education, care of the sick, and numerous humble services, responding with simplicity and dedication to the needs of the people.

The words, “The grain that dies bears fruit,” became a profound expression of their journey. About three and a half years after the foundation, four of the Foundresses gave their lives in the service of the Congregation until the very end. Their sacrifice did not hinder its growth; rather, new foundations multiplied throughout Bigorre and the neighbouring departments.

The sisters also received the support of the Missionaries of Garaison. Bishop Laurence, who had first accompanied the Congregation as Vicar General and later as Bishop, watched over its development. He gave the Congregation its first Constitutions and officially bestowed upon it the name “Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes.”

From Cantaous to the World

Deeply rooted in the Pyrenean land of their origins, the Congregation gradually opened itself to the universal mission of the Church. Guided by the Spirit, the Sisters moved beyond France to distant lands. From Cantaous, the missionary journey extended to:

• 1882India
• 1887Ecuador
• 1889Venezuela
• 1892Peru
• 1897Colombia

Today, the names Tarbes and Cantaous are known in 14 countries, where Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes continue the missionary journey begun by those courageous young women of Cantaous.

Our Presence in India — The Arrival of the First Sisters, 1882

The missionary journey of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes reached India in 1882, responding to the invitation of Fr. Maury, Director of the Society of the Foreign Missions in Paris. Five sisters were chosen for this mission: Sr. Ansleme, Sr. Marie de l’Assomption, Sr. Aurelien, Sr. Gervasie and Sr. Marie Flavie.

On 13 April 1882, these pioneers left the Mother House in France to begin their mission in India. They arrived in Pondicherry on 11 May 1882 and reached Bangalore on 13 May 1882. On 31 May 1882, the five sisters cheerfully began their service at Bowring Hospital in Bangalore.

The beginning was not easy. None of the sisters knew English or any of the local languages. Although they were able to alleviate the physical suffering of the patients, they initially found themselves unable to communicate with them in their spiritual and emotional distress. Yet, they possessed a language that transcended words — the language of love. Through their kindness, presence, example, dedication, and devoted service, they communicated God’s compassion to the sick.

Service at Bowring Hospital

As their ministry developed, the sisters were entrusted with the responsibility of the hospital kitchen and linen department. They carried out these duties with great efficiency, generosity, and devotion.

Every day, they prepared and served meals and distributed linen to more than 500 patients. This service enabled them to remain in close contact with the sick and to offer not only practical assistance but also the warmth and compassion of a caring presence. Their humble service at the hospital became an important expression of the Congregation’s charism: to be for God and to be for others.

The Beginning of Educational Ministry

The sisters soon extended their mission to the field of education. On 3 June 1889, St. Francis Xavier School was established for European and Eurasian girls. Later, on 21 August 1899, a school for Indian children was established. It was named Rajamma Thamboochetty School, in honour of its benefactress.

Thus, education became an important dimension of the Congregation’s mission in India, alongside healthcare, social service, and pastoral ministry.

Our Charism

The charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes is rooted in the mystery of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:

Rooted in the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we are called together, to be for God and to be for others, to live and build communion in our communities and in the world.

This charism continues to shape the life and mission of the Congregation. The sisters seek to live a life centred on God while remaining attentive to the needs of humanity, especially those who are poor, vulnerable, marginalized, sick, and in need of education and compassionate accompaniment.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes in India Today

From the five pioneering sisters who arrived in India in 1882, the Congregation has grown into a vibrant missionary presence across the country. Today, there are approximately 480 Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes in India, organized into two Provinces and one Region:

• 216Province of Bangalore
• 211Province of Mysore
• 64Region of Jeevan Maithri, under the Province of Bangalore

The sisters continue to serve the Church and society through education, healthcare and medical ministry, social ministry and pastoral ministry.

From the humble beginnings of six young women in Cantaous, the Congregation has grown into a missionary family reaching across cultures and continents. The journey that began with the simple and profound response “GOD ALONE” continues today. Rooted in the love of the Trinity, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes seek to remain women of communion, women of compassion, and women of mission, making God’s love visible through their presence and service wherever they are called.

From Cantaous to India, and from India to the world, the missionary journey continues.