Born in Burgundy to a simple farming family Bl. Anne Marie Javouhey, Foundress of the Cluny Congregation, perceived early in her life, the mysterious and holy impetuosity of her soul, which she felt was called by God to do great things. With a miraculous fortitude which sprung from her tremendous faith and profound union with God she spread the message of love in the hearts of the people she so lovingly served.

Bl. Mother Javouhey was a visionary whose foresight made her and her sisters launch out into the social, medical and educational fields. To impart sound moral, spiritual, human and social values to the students for life, schools were established. St. Joseph of Cluny Matriculation School was started in 1946. A Cluny student is given all round development and she is formed into a well integrated person who will go out to build a just world social order. In short a Cluny student will be a trail-blazer, a trend setter who will be courageous and different to illumine the whole order. A Cluny student is innovative and creative enough to lighten up the darkest corner of the society and the world at large.

Mother Javouhey laid great emphasis on the family for she felt it was God’s greatest gift to mankind. Sadly in today’s materialistic world, priorities are dwindling and family life is going haywire. Mother Javouhey firmly believed that a good family background would do great wonders to the human race.

Bl. Mother Javouhey was a great leader, illuminator and liberator who worked unceasingly for the good of the underprivileged and the downtrodden in society. Language, caste, colour, status, religion or wealth were elements that could never segregate or differentiate people before her. The human race, Mother felt, was one, irrespective of the various man-made differences and so she poured out her unflinching love upon all those whom she met. “Have a motherly heart for everyone, whilst caring for their body, do not forget their soul which is perhaps sicker still,” remarked Mother Javouhey.

“Teach the children to be simple and hard working.” True to this, Education was given top priority by our Foundress. ‘To reveal God’, ‘form personalities’, ‘teach how to share’, ‘welcome and accept the other person with his differences’, ‘dignity of labour’, and, ‘to be rooted in one particular culture yet open to the universal’ were some of the aspects she persistently harped on. In advance of her time, she practiced ‘Enculturation’. She knew how to recognize the customs and traditions of every country, the values that would serve as stepping stones to a meaningful life.