Congregation of the sisters of charity is a congregation of pontifical right, founded by Rev. Fr.Augustine John Ukken in the year 1944, in the Arch Diocese of Thrissur, Kerala, and South India. Fr.A. John Ukken the founder of the congregation was a dynamic priest of the diocese of Thrissur. It was the spirit of service full of kindness and compassion overflowing from the intense love of God of Rev. Fr.John, which gave birth to the congregation.
Fr. A. John Ukken, Founder of the congregation of sisters of Charity was born on December 19, 1880,parappur parish in Thrissur. He lost his parents early in his life and was under the care of his paternal aunt. There he completed up to standard VI th. Due to the poverty he could not continue his studies.
God’s providence was leading Augustine John through unknown ways. The parish priest of Parappur Fr. Ouseph Kuttikat noticed the deep devotion of john in to the spiritual life. He invited him to stay at the priest’s residence and attend the upper primary school. Msgr.Edwin Medlicott the first vicar apostolic of Thrissur visited parappur around 1895.The bishop was attracted by john’s nobility of character, intellectual and his deep spiritual life. So the bishop took him to the minor seminary. He was ordained a priest on 21 st December 1907.The newly ordained priest was appointed as the assistant manager of St,Thomas school Thrissur for 2 Years.
The parish priest of Kandasakadavu 1910-1911
Rector of Minar Seminary 1912-1916
Secretary of Bishop John Manchery 1916-1919
Kotapady Parish Priest 1919-1921
Manager of St.Thomas College 1921-1925
Chowanoor Parish Priest 1928 -1954
Fr. Augustine John Ukken always had a special concern towards the vulnerable, downtrodden and exploited people of the society. He wanted to depict the compassionate love of Jesus to all. His vision got realized when he established the congregation of sisters of charity in the year of 1944.The founder entrusted his 12 year old daughter, the congregation of sisters charity to the providential care of Jesus and Blessed Mary when god called him to receive his eternal reward on 13 th October 1956. On 24 th August 2008 his cause for the Beatification and Canonization started in the Diocese.