The convent School was formally opened on the 8th January 1883, the first teachers being Sisters Bernard and Dyernamma (Postulants). The opening of a school for girls in those mofussil parts was to the people there, a great novelty. At first it was an object of curiosity to them, but soon it began to arouse their interest and enthusiasm. The grandmothers especially, who at the outset were greatly opposed to and condemned the education of their grand-daughters, later began to say among themselves in their gossip, “After all there is much truth and good in what the Priests and Nuns say about the benefits of female education” and themselves began to escort their grandchildren to the school and drag back those who played truant.
The school soon became popular and the number of pupils increased so rapidly as to become unwieldy, necessitating the employment of more teachers. As no teachers were available at Phirangipuram, Mother Joseph had to proceed to Kilachery for the purpose. But Mother Joseph’s presence at Kilachery was also required urgently in order to attend to spiritual affairs. She therefore appointed Sr. Bernard to act in her place as Superior till her return and left Phirangipuram on the 19th June 1883, along with Noti Shantamma and Gundi Annamma, arriving at Kilachery to the great joy and consolation of the convent inmates.
Mother Joseph immediately set about the business for which she had come to Kilachery. The Postulants Lingutla Mariamma (Mary Anthoniammal), Desam Sleevamma (Maria Rose), Kitheramma (Mary Teresa), Golla Sagglamma (Philomena) and Kanti Annamma (Mary Agnes) were to be admitted as Novices. Sisters Elizabeth and Agatha were to take their first temporary vows and Mother Joseph herself and Sr. Ignatius had to make their perpetual profession. The day for this religious ceremony was fixed to take place on the 22nd August 1883, in the parish Church of Kilachery. A retreat of eight days preached by Fr. Rajnadher preceded this ceremony, and on the day of the ceremony Solemn High Mass was celebrated by Fr. Meyer, who had come for this purpose as it was not possible for the Vicar Apostolic of Madras to attend. Fathers Ignatius and Ratna Nadher were also present. Kilachery and all its outstations gathered in strength for the occasion and the village of Kottala was also well represented by the relatives of Sr. Elizabeth, who had to take her temporary vows. The Church was packed and many had to stand outside. The ceremony of the reception of the Novices and the profession of the sisters being over, the touching service was concluded with a most fervent Te Deum.
Mother Joseph stayed for a week at Kilachery after the ceremony. She confirmed the appointment of St. Ignatius as superior of the convent, dispensed with the services of Showraiyya Naidu and placed Sigers Elizabeth and Agatha in charge of the School. She left Kilachery on the 4th September 1883, taking with her the aspirants and reached Phirangipuram about the end of the same month. Fr. Rajnadher, who was transferred to Phirangipuram, also travelled with them. Fr. Dickmans was overjoyed on seeing Mother Joseph arrive with reinforcements for the Convent and School.
The fame of the School having spread to the neighbouring Christian communities, children came to the boarding institution in batches from Patibundla, Rentachintala, Ravipadu and Mutlur. In January 1884 Fr. Dickmans went to Europe on a begging tour to solicit alms for the growing needs of the Convent and School. On the 2nd February, the Vicar Apostolic Dr. Colgan made his Pastoral Visit to Phirangipuram and Sr. Bernard till then a Novice, took her first vows in his presence.
Fr. Dickmans returned from Europe on 22nd December 1885 to find that the strength of the convent had greatly diminished and only Mother Joseph and two other nuns remained. Sisters Bernard, Mary Teresa and Mary Agnes were transferred to Kilachery. To carry on the work of the Convent and School more members were needed, and as it was not possible to secure any from the Mother-House at Kilachery, both Fr. Dickmans and Mother Joseph anxiously prayed for local vocations.
In this they were not disappointed for shortly afterwards, Ramichetty Elizabeth of Phirangipuram and Peddanini Deyernamma and Polichetty Showramma of Patibandla offered themselves as postulants. The period of postulancy was very short, and the day of their reception was fixed to take place on the 19th March 1885, on which day Maria Rose, made her profession and some postulants were received as novices, among them being Ramichetty Elizabeth, late Mother Gertrude. The opening of the Novitiate was the first step in the development of the Convent at Phirangipuram as the Mother-House of an independent Congregation.
