“The need of the time is the will of God. " Father Theodosius Florentini (1808 - 1865), who was determined to fight the anti-religious rationalism and radical liberalism by education of youth in faith and morals with a special emphasis on women. He upheld the Christian principles in educational system. The congregation of the Teaching sisters of the Holy Cross was found in the year 1844 in order to achieve women’s education. Mother Bernarda Heimgartner (1822-1863) was the Co-foundress.

The sisters came to India in 1906 to serve in the government hospitals by the invitation of the Maha Raja of Travancore, Sree Moolam Thirunnal, through the patronage of His happy memory of Bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger, the Bishop of Kollam

A Brief History

The congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross

The first group of Holy Cross sisters from Menzingen, Switzerland arrived at Quilon, Kerala State, India on Fourth November 1906. They served as honoraries in the government Hospitals of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Today the honorary service by Holy Cross sisters is continued in five Government hospitals of Kerala (District Hospital - Kollam, Victoria Hospital – Kollam, Leprosy sanatorium – Noornad, General Hospital – TVM, Govt. Women’s & Children Hospital – Thycaud, TVM)

The Institutions at Kottiyam

1. Holy Cross Hospital

Holy Cross Hospital Kottiyam had its humble origin in the year 1952 with twenty bedded Health Centre. Now it is a 500 bedded Super Specialty Hospital oriented to the service of the poor and the needy with extension services in the near and far villages. It has ISO 9001: 2000 Certification and is approved by Indian Medical Council for compulsory Rotatory Internship training of Medical students. DNB accreditation in 1977.The departments which have DNB programme - General Medicine General Surgery, ENT & OBG

2. Lourdes School of Nursing

Lourdes School of Nursing started in the year 1958. This is the first private Nursing School in Kerala State. The School functions with an intake of 50 students for the General Nursing and Midwifery training

3. Holy Cross College of Allied Health Sciences

Diploma in Medical & Laboratory Technology (DMLT) training was started in the year 1987. Then it was upgraded to the Holy Cross College of Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology. It was affiliated to Govt. of Kerala, Kerala University of Health Sciences. 30 seats sanctioned for the Holy Cross College of Allied Health Sciences.

4. Holy Cross College of Nursing

Holy Cross College of Nursing started in the year 03.03.2003 with the aim of Higher education and holistic formation of Nurses. Holy Cross College of Nursing provides Post Basic B.Sc Nursing in the year 2003, B.Sc. Nursing in the year 2004 and M.Sc. Nursing with five specialities in the year 2011 with 20 seats. (Medical Surgical Nursing : 5 seats, Mental Health Nursing : 2 seats, Community Health Nursing : 5 seats, Child Health Nursing : 4 seats and Maternity Health Nursing : 4 seats)