While the branch Convent at Phirangipuram began to thrive, the Mother-House at Kilachery was not in a very satisfactory condition. Mother Ignatius and Sister Elizabeth were both sick and much run down in health. As no medical aid was available at Kilachery, on the suggestion of Fr. Balanadar, Sr. Elizabeth with Tharigopala Sleevamma to attend upon her were sent to Royapuram, Madras for treatment. They were lodged in a room attached to St. Peter’s Church.
The question then arose of providing the nuns with a place of their own in Madras where they could get medical attention. Fr. Balanader thought that Royapuram would be most suitable, and if a house near St. Peter’s Church could be secured, it would be a great convenience for the nuns and their religious needs. Enquiries were therefore instituted for this purpose and it was ascertained that a house close to St. Peter’s Church, to the West of it, belonging to one Kannusamy Mudaliar was available for sale. Fr. Balanadar immediately purchased this house for a sum of Rs. 3,300/- and spent another sum of Rs. 2,000/- on remodelling and repairing it and had it ready in a short time for the nuns to occupy
Sister Elizabeth shifted to this house and was joined by Mother Ignatius from Kilachery. Sister Elizabeth recovered completely from her illness, but there was no improvement in the health of Mother Ignatius, and both of them returned to Kilachery. The house therefore was left vacant. Fr. Balanadar then thought it would be good to have a Convent and School at Royapuram, as while certainly being a great boon to the parish, it would also enable the nuns to pursue their higher studies in Madras; and further a convent at the headquarters of the Archdiocese would certainly prove beneficial to the Congregation.
He immediately got in touch with the Vicar Apostolic, who warmly approved of the proposal. He then wrote to Mother Joseph at Phirangipuram about the matter and the latter readily agreed to the proposal. Sr. Bernard was appointed Superior at Kilachery with Sr. Teresa as her assistant. Mother Ignatius with Sr. Elizabeth, the novices Anthoniamma and Agnesamma and the postulant Ratna Mary, left Kilachery on the 29th January 1885, for Royapuram.
On the 2nd February 1885, in the presence of the parishioners of Royapuram, Dr. Colgan assisted by Fathers Balanadar and Ratna Nadher, blessed the house and handed over possession of it to the nuns and declared that from that day the convent at Royapuram should function as the Mother-House and Headquarters of the whole Congregation. As His Lordship left the place he bestowed on the Convent abundant blessings for its rapid growth.
