About Us
February 2, 2026 2026-03-07 12:43About Us
About us
The MSFS Guwahati Province, a vibrant unit of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, was born from a journey of faith and growth. Once part of the undivided Northeast India Province, which became a full-fledged Province in 1990, the mission flourished with increasing vocations and expanding apostolates.
As the mission fields widened and the number of confreres grew, the call for deeper pastoral care and stronger spiritual animation led to the formation of the Guwahati Province. Today, serving Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, 140 professed members dedicate their lives wholeheartedly to the service of the Church — carrying hope, faith, and love to the people of Northeast India.
Therefore, the need for better animation of religious life, ministries and missionary activities necessitated the division of north east India province into two provinces namely, Guwahati province and Dibrugarh province. Guwahati Province comprises of Northeastern states namely, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura. A total of 140 professed members are committed to the service of the church in different parts of the north east India.
History of MSFS Congregation
The Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) was founded on October 24, 1838, in Annecy, France, by Peter Marie Mermier under the patronage and spiritual inspiration of St. Francis de Sales.
The Congregation is composed of priests and brothers who dedicate their lives to evangelization, the promotion of priestly vocations, and service to the Church. Rooted in the gentle and zealous spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, the MSFS continues its mission of renewing faith and guiding communities across the world.
FOUNDING AND GROWTH
The Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales was born in a time of spiritual darkness following the French Revolution. De-Christianization, anti-clerical attitudes, the rigid influence of Jansenism, and the migration of impoverished families from Savoy left society spiritually wounded and indifferent to faith.
Perceiving the urgency of the moment, Peter Marie Mermier embraced the mission of spiritual renewal through parish missions — week-long retreats, family visits, and fervent preaching aimed at rekindling faith and restoring sacramental life. What began as a pastoral response gradually formed a community of missionary priests.
With the encouragement of Bishop Joseph Rey of Annecy, and inspired by the long-cherished desire of St. Francis de Sales to establish a society of missionary priests, the Congregation was formally approved in 1838. Papal approval followed in 1843, with final approval granted in 1860.
From a small band of six missionaries who vowed stability in 1838, the Congregation steadily expanded beyond France, carrying forward its charism of gentle strength and missionary zeal.
IN INDIA
In 1845, the first MSFS missionaries arrived in India, landing in Pondicherry and later reaching Visakhapatnam in 1846. By 1848, the Vicariate of Visakhapatnam was entrusted to them. From this foundation, the missionaries spread across central and eastern India, establishing parishes, schools, seminaries, and vibrant Christian communities.
Despite hardships, limited personnel, and vast territories, the mission flourished. Nagpur and Visakhapatnam became key centres of expansion, eventually developing into Provinces in 1965. Over time, additional Provinces were erected across India, reflecting steady growth and abundant vocations.
Today, the MSFS in India serve through seven Provinces: Visakhapatnam, Nagpur, Pune, South West India, South East India, Guwahati, and Dibrugarh — continuing the same missionary spirit that first brought them to Indian soil.
GLOBAL PRESENCE
From its humble beginnings in Annecy, the Congregation has grown into a worldwide missionary family. Present in five continents and over 30 countries, the MSFS continues its commitment to evangelization, education, pastoral ministry, and the promotion of priestly vocations. With its headquarters in Rome, the Congregation remains faithful to its founding charism — proclaiming the Gospel with gentleness, courage, and missionary dedication.
CELEBRATING 50YEARS OF GRACE
As we celebrate 50 years of dedicated service and mission, we pause in gratitude for God’s providence, the sacrifices of our missionaries, and the countless lives touched by their ministry. These five decades stand as a testimony to faith lived with courage, leadership exercised with humility, and a mission carried forward with unwavering zeal.
The Golden Jubilee is not merely a remembrance of the past — it is a renewed commitment to the future. Strengthened by our legacy and inspired by our founders, we continue our journey with hope, ready to respond to the needs of the Church and the world.
History of Guwahati Province
The story of the MSFS Guwahati Province is a story of courage, faith, and missionary daring.
In response to the invitation of Bishop Joseph Mittathany of Tezpur, six young missionaries from Kerala arrived in North-East India on September 15, 1975, sent by the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales from the Visakhapatnam Province. Among them were Frs. Joseph Kizhakkeveed, George Parampukattil, Kurian Pattimackel, and Jose Mundoly — pioneers who laid the foundation of what would become a flourishing missionary presence.
The land they entered was rich in culture, diversity, and beauty — home to more than 200 tribes across eight Northeastern states. Amid linguistic and cultural diversity, they began their mission quietly and faithfully, serving parishes, forming communities, and nurturing vocations.
In 1979, North-East was erected as a Region. In 1984, it became a Vice Province. On January 24, 1990, it was raised to the status of a full-fledged Province — a milestone achieved through sacrifice, dedication, and the steady growth of missionary life.
Over the years, the Province expanded beyond India, opening missions in Africa and Europe. The Southern African Region was established in 2003, and the Germany–Austria Delegation followed in 2014. The missionary spirit continued to grow, crossing continents while remaining rooted in Northeast India.
A historic turning point came in 2019, when the General Chapter approved the division of the North-East India Province. On October 24, 2019, the Superior General officially announced the birth of two Provinces: Guwahati Province and Dibrugarh Province, effective January 24, 2020.
Thus, the MSFS Guwahati Province was born — not merely as an administrative unit, but as the fruit of decades of missionary toil, prayer, and vision.
Today, the Province continues the legacy of its pioneers:
proclaiming the Gospel, forming future missionaries, building communities, and carrying forward the gentle and courageous spirit of St. Francis de Sales.
Patrons & Founder
St. Francis de Sales
Our Patron, Guide, and Model of Gentle Strength
Born in 1567 in Savoy, St. Francis de Sales became one of the Church’s most beloved pastors, missionaries, and spiritual writers. Ordained a priest in 1593 and later Bishop of Geneva, he dedicated his life to winning hearts through gentleness and love.
A tireless shepherd, he visited his parishes personally, reformed clergy and religious communities, and taught that holiness is for everyone — in every walk of life. In the Calvinist region of Chablais, he brought thousands back to the Catholic faith through patient dialogue, prayer, and creative evangelization.
His spiritual masterpieces, Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on the Love of God, continue to guide souls worldwide. Declared a Doctor of the Church in 1877, he remains a timeless teacher of charity, humility, and joyful confidence in God.
His life proclaims a simple truth:
Hearts are won by love.
Mary, Mother of Compassion
Patroness of the MSFS
Mary, honoured as Mother of Compassion (Mother of Sorrows), is the tender and courageous Patroness of our Congregation. Standing faithfully at the foot of the Cross, she shared deeply in the suffering and redemptive love of her Son.
Her compassion is not weakness, but strength rooted in faith. In her silent surrender to God’s will, she becomes the perfect model of missionary discipleship.
For every Fransalian, she is the Mother who forms hearts in humility, patience, courage, and hope. Under her protection, we entrust our missions, our vocations, and our service to the People of God.
Mary, Mother of Compassion, pray for us.
Peter Marie Mermier
Founder of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales
Born on August 28, 1790, in Savoy during the turmoil of the French Revolution, Peter Marie Mermier grew up in a home where faith was lived courageously. Witnessing persecution of priests and the suffering of the Church shaped his heart from a young age. He later acknowledged:
“I owe my vocation to the holiness of my mother.”
Ordained a priest in 1813, he became a zealous pastor and missionary preacher. In 1821, after a parish mission that initially failed, he withdrew to pray and do penance. The mission later bore extraordinary fruit — confirming his call to dedicate his life to parish renewal through missions.
With companions united in prayer and apostolic zeal, he founded the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) on October 24, 1838. His vision was clear: missionaries totally surrendered to Divine Providence, ready to serve wherever the Church needed them.
In 1845, the Holy See entrusted the vast Visakhapatnam Mission in India to the Congregation, marking the beginning of a flourishing missionary presence that continues to this day.
A man of deep faith, humility, and practical wisdom, Fr. Mermier also co-founded the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod to uplift and empower poor rural women.
He passed into eternal life on September 30, 1862. Recognized today as Servant of God, his cause for canonization is underway.
His life remains a living inspiration —
a call to courageous faith, total surrender, and missionary zeal.
Provincial Congress
The Provincial Congress is a significant moment of prayer, reflection, and discernment in the life of the Province. It gathers the confreres to evaluate the journey undertaken, renew missionary zeal, and chart the future direction of the Province in fidelity to our charism.
Rooted in the spirit of St. Francis de Sales and inspired by the vision of Peter Marie Mermier, the Congress becomes a space of dialogue, unity, and shared responsibility. Through prayerful deliberation and fraternal exchange, it seeks to respond creatively and courageously to the needs of the Church and the signs of the times.
More than a meeting, the Provincial Congress is a moment of renewal — strengthening communion, deepening commitment, and rekindling the passion to “Live Jesus” in today’s world
Province Statistics
Our statistics reflect the vibrant missionary life and growth of the MSFS Guwahati Province — from members and missions to educational and pastoral outreach.
They tell a story of dedication, service, and expanding impact across communities.
Through these numbers, we celebrate lives transformed and ministries strengthened in service to the Church.
| SL. NO. | MEMBERS | QUANTITY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Priests | 116 |
| Deacons | 4 | |
| Scholastics (in Temporary Profession) | 22 | |
| Scholastics (Perpetually Professed) | 6 | |
| Novices | 6 | |
| Minor Seminarians (Both Provinces) | 69 | |
| 2 | ADMINISTRATION | QUANTITY |
| Region | 1 | |
| Delegation | 1 | |
| Centres | 22 | |
| 3 | FORMATION HOUSES | QUANTITY |
| Theologate (Study House) | 1 | |
| Philosophate | 2 | |
| Novitiate | 1 | |
| Minor Seminary | 2 | |
| 4 | EDUCATION | QUANTITY |
| Secondary Schools | 16 | |
| Higher Secondary Schools | 2 | |
| 5 | INSTITUTIONS | QUANTITY |
| Technical School | 1 | |
| Centre for Social Work | 1 | |
| Hospital | 1 | |
| Counselling Centre | 1 |
