HISTORY
ORIGIN
The Congregation of the Visitation Sisters of Don Bosco (V.S.D.B) is a Diocesan Congregation founded by late Archbishop Hubert D’Rosario SDB, DD., the then Archbishop of Shillong-Guwahati on May 31, 1983, at Madonna Convent, Nongkseh, Upper Shillong Meghalaya, India.
The Founder Archbishop Hubert D’Rosario entrusted the initial formation of the VSDB candidates to the Sisters of Our Lady Queen of the Missions (RNDM Sisters) for nine years. Mother John Bosco, the then Provincial of Calcutta took up the responsibility to provide sisters for the new Congregation. A year later, the first group of candidates entered the novitiate and Sr. Marie Therese Reynold was made the first Novice-directress. After the completion of the term as Provincial, Mother John Bosco took over the work of formation herself. She directed the new Congregation for seven years.
After three years of formation, the first batch of novices made their first profession on May 31, 1986. Two years later, the Congregation opened its first mission Centre at Pomlakrai (Upper Shillong Parish). The Sisters with Temporary Profession were entrusted with the responsibility of community Leaders. Six years later the first batch made their final profession on May 31, 1992.
At the expiry of the contract with the RNDM in 1993, Mother John Bosco the first President of the new Congregation left the governance of the Congregation to the hands of the VSDB sisters. Soon after the Final Profession of the first batch of the VSDB sisters (June 1, 1992), the responsibilities of President and Councilors were assigned to them. Sr. Cecilia Sad was appointed the first President of the Congregation. Under the able guidance of the Founder, the President and the Councilors carried out their offices.
On December 8, 1997, the revised Constitutions and General Regulations were approved by the Most Rev. Archbishop Tarcisius resto Phanrang, SDB and the Institute was officially raised to the status of a Diocesan Congregation. In September 1998 the First General chapter was held during which the first Superior General of the Congregation was elected. We have had five General Chapters and eleven General Assemblies till date.
