The History of St. Mary's Orphanage & Day School St. Mary's Orphanage traces its origin to the Catholic Male Orphanage (C.M.O.) which was established in 1848 at Murghihatta. In order to remove all doubts about its origin let us go back a few years before 1848 when it first began its great work for the poor of Calcutta. In this way we shall be able to connect the past with the present and establish for St. Mary's the heritage which is hers. In 1840, Dr. Patrick Joseph Carew, Vicar Apostolic of Bengal, an Irish Jesuit, realized that the future of the Church in Bengal rested in its youth and he very soon turned his attention to the education of the boys of Calcutta, particularly the poor. His one wish was that the Orphanage and schools be put under the management of a Congregation of Brothers. The Superior General of the Christian Brothers - Br. Michael Paul Riordan sent two men Patrick Fitzpatrick and his cousin Thomas Tolan trained as Brothers in Ireland. They arrived on February 15th 1848. They were known as Brs. Xavier and Alphonsus, these two good Brothers set to work almost immediately. Br. Xavier Fitzpatrick took charge of the Orphanage, then known as the Cathedral school, Moorghyatta, while Br. Alphonsus Tolan ran the boys' school in Bow Bazar Street. They were known as the Calcutta Brothers. In 1878 they tried to amalgamate with the De La Salle Brothers. In the year 1878 Dr. Count Goethals, up to then Provincial of the Jesuit Belgian Province, was appointed as Archbishop of Calcutta. He advised the Calcutta Brothers to join a larger Congregation, but left the choice to themselves. Their response was almost immediate and they expressed a desire to join up with the Irish Christian Brothers as they followed the Rules and traditions of that Order. Brs. Edward Vincent Casey, Provincial Visitor, Timothy Fabian Kennealy, Joseph Edward Aherne and John Ambrose Flynn these four Brothers arrived in Calcutta on the 6th of January, 1890, and Br. Vincent Casey took over charge of the Orphanage which some time before had changed its name from the Cathedral School to the Catholic Male Orphanage. Within a short time of his arrival, Br. Vincent assembled all the Brothers in the oratory at Dum Dum and explained the idea of the amalgamation to them, together with the Superior-General's directions and the decree from Rome. All eighteen agreed and accepted the amalgamation ("Fifty years in India") The first suggestion to close down the C.M.O. and move elsewhere came in 1916 when the Calcutta Improvement Turst announced that it was taking over the compound. Br. Gilbert Cooney, Provincial's idea was to transfer the Orphanage to Asansol and build it where St. Vincent's Technical and High School now stands. This plan did not work out. However in 1941 things began to move once more, the original plans were changed and this time the C.M.O. was to be moved to Dum Dum. The property at Dum Dum was purchased by Archbishop Carew in 1853 and handed over to the Calcutta Brothers. It was known as St. Xavier's Retreat. For many years the Brothers used it as a retreat house and for weekly holiday picnics. Under Br. J. B. Culhane, then Provincial, the Villa was pulled down and the foundations for a two storeyed building were laid. The tanks were filled and construction work began. In the year 1943, the work was decided to stop due to financial reasons and the building work had reached the first floor and the wall-consturction for the roof. About this time a Redemptorist, Father Greene preached a Retreat to the students of St. Joseph's College, Calcutta. He heard of the problem and suggested that a Mass be offered in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Soccour with a promise to name the school after our Lady. From the day the Mass was offered everything worked out smoothly. The United States Army, then newly arrived in Calcutta, was approached, and the Engineer section agreed to start the work at once and finish the building according to the plan, provided the premises would be available for the use during the period of the war and for six months after the cessation of hostilities. Work began in 1943 finished satisfactorily in July and the Troops moved in August 1943. As many as 1,200 men were at various times housed in the school. Now it had all the appearance of an armed camp. The property was handed back to the Brothers in 1946. Credit for the plan and execution of the major portion of the work goes to Br. J. B. Culhane assisted by Br. P.F. McCarthy who for 2 years spent strenuous days in Dum Dum. Both had the satisfaction of seeing the building completed according to plan. In June, 1947, the Calcutta riots began. The work at C.M.O. during the last ninety-nine years was uprooted in a matter of days. The transport was supplied free by a Mr. Hildreth and the coolies were all local -- two Brothers and about ten or twelve of the bigger and stronger orphans. The small boys also did their bit by removing whatever they could carry. Br. D. E. Hayes with his mechanical bent made short work of all heavy furniture by means of the lever and pulley system. By about the 12th June the transfer was complete and the old C.M.O. was just a shell, stripped of everything from school equipment and beds etc. down to the piping and fittings in the bathing room. The old C.M.O. was gone and so was the Cathedral School and from their roots sprang St. Mary's Orphanage, Dum Dum. ST. MARY'S ORPHANAGE & DAY SCHOOL (S.M.O.) * In 1947 the transfer of C.M.O. from Moorghihatta to S.M.O. Dum Dum commenced. After Br. Cyril Websters time as Superior of the CMO, was finished, Br. Montanus Costello was appointed Superior. His initiative and energy helped in the transfer of CMO to SMO. At the end of June of that year, St. Mary's opened her doors to 200 boarders and a handful of day scholars from the locality. Brother Bertrand Larkin was appointed Superior but due to his health he was replaced by Br. Canisius Drew in 1949. * In 1953 the school opened with 210 boarders and 50 day pupils. With 7 Brothers on the staff and 7 lay staff. * By 1965 there were 335 boarders and 336 day scholars. NEW SCHOOL BUILDING * The need was now felt for additional classroom as St. Mary's was originally meant to accommodate only 500 boys. * Foundations were laid for the new Building in 1963 under the Superiorship of Bro. C. A. O'Shea. His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Albert V D'Souza, Archbishop of Calcutta blessed the new block and declared it officially open. * At this stage the student strength was about 1000 as it is today. SISTER'S OF ST. ANN'S TECHNICAL BUILDING * For several years it had been felt that a technical skill would benifit the orphan boys. With this in mind the building of the workshop was begun in Jan 1968. * Inspite of several attempts, the workshop did not really serve the purpose of training the orphans in a particular trade. This need was more or less fulfilled by sending these boys to St. Vincent's Technical , Asansol where they picked up a formal diploma. * In 1994 the machines in the workshop were re-arranged to take up a smaller area, and the remaining portion was allocated to be used as The Edmund Rice Indoor Games Room. Four Table - tennis tables, A badmiton court, Carrom boards, Chess boards, etc were installed. * The machines continue to be used for general maintenance as well as for imparting non-formal technical skills to the Open School boys. HAPPENINGS * In 1976 the Swimming Pool was completed with funds sent by friends in Ireland. Extract from the Annals 1976 - Pat Hickey who left the Brothers while still under temporary vows returned to Ireland at the end of 1954. As he had been here in SMO when he left he did not forget the lads here and having done well in business he became one of the directors of Musgrave & Co. (Supermarkets). He collected money and sent it out to Dum Dum . By 1976 SMO had a beautiful swimming pool and Pat is hardly aware of the many hours of sheer enjoyment he has provided for hundreds of our boys. A plaque on the wall merely states that it is a gift from friends in Ireland. * As Br. Ward is very keen on Skating a skaiting ring became a must. It was finally compelted at the end of 1978 and many of our boys were able to get skates through the generosity of their Sponsors abroad. * No school is today without a Library. In 1978 Br. Ward realised that and began to make up for this deficiency in SMO. A room was set aside, furniture was made and books were bought. * The first pair of Boys Town orphans were admitted into S.M.O. in 1986. Boys Town had started in 1966 but by this stage the Diocese was not able to manage the setup. Even the Christian Brothers' attempt to run Boys Town was unsuccessful. * By 1987 the remaining 20 school going boys of Boys Town were accepted into S.M.O. SUPERIORS AND PRINCIPALS SINCE 1890 1890 - 92 Br. Stanislaus O'Brien became the first Irish Superior that was lawfully appointed. 93 - 95 Br. Berchmans Moloney 96 - 1905 Br. Poeman Hyde 06 - 07 Br. Arsenius Ryan 08 - 17 Br. Poeman Hyde 18 - 24 Br. Bertrand Larkin 25 - 26 Br. Gabriel Pakenham 27 - 31 Br. Leonidas Carr 32 - 33 Br. Callistus Hoare 33 - 33 Br. Celsus Weir 34 - 40 Br. Bertrand Larkin 41 - 46 Br. Cyril Welster 47 - 47 Br. Montanus Costello 47 - 48 Br. Bertrand Larking 49 - 52 Br. Canisius Drew 52 - 58 Br. Adjustor O'Connor 59 - 64 Br. Athanasius O'Shea 65 - 70 Br. Jerome Kelly 70 - 75 Br. Michael Walsh 75 - 76 Br. Jerome Kelly 76 - 80 Br. K Colm Ward 81 - 83 Br. Paulinus Mulcahy 84 - 90 Br. Barney White 90 - 92 Br. Jus Harrisson (Superior) 90 - 94 Br. Sean Dias (Principal) 92 -97 Br. Baptist Finn (Superior) 95 -97 Br. Augustine Jairaj (Principal) NURSE / SISTER'S (The Sisters of the Society of St. Ann ) INCHARGE OF THE INFIRMARY SINCE 1965 (before) 1955 Mrs Joseph nurse 1955 - 1958 Mrs Taylor nurse 1958 - 1960 A new Nurse (name not recorded) 1961 - 1964 Mrs I. Nicholson 1965 - 1982 Sister E Felix ( She celebrated her Golden Jubliee on the 3rd of May 1980. She died in Bimbli in October 1982.) 1982 - 1986 Sister Theresa Thadam. In the year 1985 Sr. Theresa who had a chronic back ailment but had continued normal nursing since coming to St. Mary's injured her back one day. Total bed-rest with lumbar traction was prescibed together with heavy medications. The condition was extremely painful and Sr. Theresa showed amaging patience and endurance. From her sick bed she guided Sr. Annie in treating the boys. After the visit of the Regional Superior to SMO she sent Sr. Theresa's sister, Sr. Simon to spend some time with her in SMO. In the month of August Sr. Theresa improving and able to move about. It is more to change from the monotony of lying in bed that she got up. She and Sr. Annie John made their annual retreat in SMO and joined the Christmas Celebrations as the doctors had advise Sr. Theresa not to travel. 1987 - 1987 Sister Isidore replaced Sr. Theresa. 1988 - 1996 Sister Nicola replaced Sr. Isidore. 1996- Sr. Mary Varikattu replaced Sister Nicola. MATRONS (Incharge of the Small Dormitory) 1954 - 1961 Mr. B. Nicholas (he was the Manager and Matron). He had been ailing at this time. He passed away on the 15th of April. He had served the school over 15 years and was a great loss to all in SMO. He is buired in the Dum Dum Cantonment Cemetery. 1972 - 1973 Mrs Greenway. 1973 - 1983 Sr. Bernadette of the Sisters of the Society of St. Ann came to SMO to help Sr. Felix who was alone all these years, added a feminine touch which enriched the life of the Orphans. The community in SMO are deeply indebted to the Sisters for their collaboartion in caring for the Orphans and needy boys. 1984 - 1991 Sr. Annie John had replaced Sr. Bernadette in Jan 1984. 1991 - 1992 Sr. Len Rose. Sister Len Rose had taken ill in the year 1992 and was transfered from SMO on the 24th of April. She was missed by all in SMO. 1992 - Sr. Anastasia replace Sr. Len Rose in the year 1992. HISTORY OF MATRONS, MANAGERS, NURSES, SISTERS ETC. 1954 - Mr. B. Nicholas was the Manager and Matron 1955 - One Nurse succede another, Mrs. Taylor the new to Mrs Joseph was appointed. 1956 - Mrs. B. Nicholas as Matron. 1956 - Mr. Nicholas as general work. 1958 - New trained Nurse. 1961 - Manager Mr. B. Nicholas who had been ailing for sometime. passed away on the 15th of April. He had served the school over 15 years and was a great loss to all in SMO. He is buried in the Dum Dum Cantonment Cemetery. 1961 - The Old Manager, Mr. Bayley was dismissed and Mr. T. A. Barton took over the managership on the 1st of July. 1961 - A new Nurse, Mrs. I. Nicholson, was employed on the 20th of July. 1963 - Mrs Grainger (food and Kitchen incharge) 1964 - Nurse, Mrs. I. Nicholson left on the expiry of her month's notice or resignation on the 30th of sept. 1965 - Mrs. White nurse. 1965 - There was a few changes in the school staff also a new Nurse, Sister E. Felix, for the school hospital. 1965 - Mrs. A.Smythe replaced Mrs. M. Grainger as Housekeeper. 1972 - Mrs. Greenway Matron of small boys. 1973 - Sr. Bernadette (small boys' matron). "The Sisters of the Society of St. Ann have rendered unmeasurable service to SMO since 1965. Sr. Felix, first alone, and from 1973 with Sr. Bernadette added a feminine touch which has enriched the life of the Orphans. We are deeply indebted to the Sisters of St. Ann for their collaboartion in caring for the orphans and needy boys. 1982 - Sr. Tresa Thadam had replaced Sr. Felix (Nurse) 1984 - Sr. Annie John had replaced Sr. Bernadette in Jan 1984. (Matron) 1985 - Sr. Tresa who had a chronic back ailment but had continued normal nursing since coming to St. Mary's injured her back. Total bed-rest with lumbar traction was prescibed together with heavy medications. The condition was extreemely painful and Sr. Tresa showed amazing patience and endurance. From her sick bed she guided Sr. Annie in treating the boys. After the visit of the Regional Superior to SMO she sent Sr. Tresa's sister, Sr. Simon to spend some time with her in SMO. In the month of August Sr. Tresa showed improvement and was able to move about. It was more to change from the monotony of lying in bed, that she got up to continue her work. She and Sr. Annie John made their annual retreat in SMO and joined the Christmas Celebrations. 1987 - Sr. Isidore replaced Sr. Tresa incharge of the infirmary. 1987 - Sr. Nicola replaced Sr. Isidore in charge of the infirmary and sister Annie John continued in charge of the small dormitory. 1992 - Sr. Len Rose had taken ill and was admitted to woodlands. She was transfered from SMO as her work was demading. On 24th Arpil she left. 1992 - Sr. Anastasia (Matron) 1995 - Sr. Mary repalced Sr. Nicola. She celebrated her silver jubilee in the year 1996 December.