The tiny seed sown by Sr Dr Mary Glowrey 73 years ago in 1943, has grown into a mighty tree offering shade and shelter to scores of poor and marginalized in the remote corners of our country. CHAI’s journey across 7 decades has been an inspiring saga of challenge and change. The story began in 1920 when Dr Mary Glowrey, a promising young Australian Lady Doctor, arrived in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, with a definite mission. The love of God and neighbour compelled her to leave her country, family and comforts, for the sake of the sick and suffering in India, especially the women and children. After working with the JMJ sisters in Guntur, she eventually chose to become a nun, the first Sister Doctor in the country. Her vision and mission were translated into action when she founded CHAI in 1943.  “We must have more hospitals, chiefly in rural areas. They will bear testimony to Christ and His Spirit. We are living in stormy times and the future is uncertain… We now have a Catholic Hospitals’ Association. Let us make it a power in the land so that if an occasion arises, we may form a united body that can command a hearing”. These words of Sr Dr Mary Glowrey have relevance even today, and probably more in the future.

CHAI is today one of the largest not-for-profit Associations in the Health Care Sector in India, rendering affordable services to the marginalized in the medically underserved areas of India. CHAI has an expansive base of 3518 member institutions and treat over 21 million people in a year – 2263 Health Centres, 417 Secondary Care Hospitals, 183 Tertiary Care Hospitals, and 200 Social Service Societies. The CHAI network includes 5 Medical Colleges, 120 Nursing Schools & Colleges, more than 1000 sister-doctors, 25,000 sister-nurses and 10,000 para-professionals.  Today, CHAI has a pan-India presence, with 11 Regional Units and implements about 30 projects, big and small, with an annual turnover of more than Rs 430 million.  CHAI celebrated the Silver, Golden, and Diamond Jubilees with pride and satisfaction and is just a stone’s throw away from her platinum jubilee celebrations (2018). We derive strength and confidence from every celebration and continue our journey with confidence and hope.

Right from her inception many people have been part of CHAI’s growth story.As CHAI celebrates her 73rd foundation day on July 29, 2016, we stand before Jesus the Divine Healer – our inspiration, with a sense of awe and wonder. We remember with gratitude and reverence, Sr. Dr. Mary Glowrey – our beloved founder and the co-founders Mother Jacquelini, JMJ, St. Philomina’s Hospital, Bangalore; Mother Bernard Ryan, Sisters of the Presentation, Holy Redeemer’s Hospital, Theni; Mother Elizabeth SAS, St. Anns Hospital, Vijayawada; Mother Arnoldine, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Nellore; Mother Angelina, JMJ, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Guntur’ Sr. Natalia, St. Ann’s Association, Masulipatnam; Mother Mary Attracta, Medical Mission Hospital, PBVM, Calicut;  Mother Edwiga, JMJ, St. Theresas’s Hospital, Kurnool; Mother Lucy, RGS, St. Martha’s Hospital, Bangalore; Mother Laetitia, SCMM, Holy Family Hospital, Patna; Mother M. Kninesburge, FMM, Victoria Hospital, Jabalpur; Mother Paul, SMMI, Holy Angel’s Dispensary, Kumbakonam; Mother Felix, St. Joseph of Cluny Dispensary, Tindivanam

We do remember with gratitude the presidents of CHAI – Sr M Kinesburge FMM, Sr Mary Peter CRSM, Sr Mary Ancilla JMJ, Sr Rosemary SAS, Sr Dr Stella CSN, Dr  P Cherian, Fr  Lawrence Thottam,  Fr  Mathew Chakkalakal, Fr  Ferdinand Kayavil, Fr  John L. Noronha, Sr  Dr  Marietta SAS, Sr  Martin Maliekal JMJ, Sr  Mercy Abraham RGS, Sr  Dr Vijaya Sharma SCSC, Sr Cletus Daisy, JMJ, Fr Julius Arackal and Sr Deena SCN; and all my predecessors, the Directors – Fr James S Tong SJ, Fr Emmanuel Pallikunnen VC,  Fr Peter Remigius (Currently the  Bishop of Kottar)  Fr Bernard Moras, (Currently the Archbishop of Bangalore)  Fr Alexander Payyampallil, Fr John Vattamattom SVD,  Fr James Culas,  Sr Ancy SD, Fr Sebastian Ousepparampil, and Fr Tomi Thomas, IMS, for all that they are, and did for CHAI. Today, CHAI is able to look forward with more confidence because of the solid foundation that was laid by these great men and women.

We also remember with love and gratitude the thousands of sisters, fathers and the laity who have committed their lives for the sake of love of God and neighbour, in order to continue the healing mission of Jesus, this noble ministry, in the midst of all the challenges they undergo in their day-today life.

May God continue to protect us, guide us and comfort us in our journey with those who are sick and suffering. Mary, the Mother of the afflicted, continue to pray for us!