Our Founders
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Mother Bridget Sequeira
“I THIRST” : A FLAME THAT SPARKED A MISSION
Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King (F.M.C.K)
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Msgr. Salesius Lemmens O.F.M.
The cry of the Crucified, “I thirst” echoes through the centuries, resounding not merely as a plea for water, but as the eternal longing of Christ for souls. It is this divine cry that pierced the heart of Mother Bridget Bibiana Sequeira on a poignant Good Friday in the year 1937 and ignited within her a flame -a flame of compassion, of surrender, and of mission. In that moment, her life was forever changed. Touched by grace and moved by compassion, she resolved to answer that thirst with her very life. She would live for the lonely, serve the abandoned, and love those the world had forgotten.
The Birth of FMCK Congregation
Embracing Simplicity and Service
Expanding the Mission
Charism and Vision
Carrying the flame in our Apostolic Ministries
Courageous Witnesses of Compassion
A Legacy That Lives On
Conclusion: A Mission That Still Burns
Bridget’s response—quiet yet resolute—was the spark that lit the flame of a Mission. Out of that burning desire to console the Crucified and serve His little flock, a Congregation was born. Rooted in the Franciscan spirit and guided by the Kingship of Christ, the F.M.C.K. began its journey: a mission of self-giving love, humble service, and unwavering devotion to the One who thirsts still.
On 11th August 1937, in the city of Karachi, the then part of undivided India, Mother Bridget Bibiana Sequeira, a devout native of Saligao, Goa, laid the spiritual cornerstone of the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King (F.M.C.K.). This sacred foundation was established under the spiritual counsel and steadfast support of Rt. Rev. Msgr. Salesius Lemmens, a distinguished Dutch Franciscan Missionary and the first Ecclesiastical Superior of Sindh and Baluchistan. From its humble beginning, the F.M.C.K. bore witness to the Gospel through lives of simplicity, service, and profound communion with the suffering Christ, bringing hope and dignity to those on the peripheries of the society.
Mother Bridget was known for her deep love for Christ, her warm and sociable nature, and her readiness to serve all. Her simple yet profound conviction, "If you have Christ, you have everything," became a guiding principle for the Congregation. Reflecting their deep roots and dedication, the Sisters adopted a white saree, bordered with three red lines, symbolizing their vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The red also represented their profound dedication to Christ the King, while the saree itself connected their spirituality with the rich cultural identity of the Indian subcontinent.
Initially, the Sisters focused their efforts on Education, Healthcare, and Social Services, addressing the immediate needs of the communities they served. In 1946, Mother Bridget returned to her homeland of Goa with a few devoted companions, establishing the first Indian branch of the Congregation. From this humble beginning in Goa, our mission steadily expanded, reaching the bustling city of Bombay and eventually spreading across the diverse landscape of India and beyond.
The unwavering dedication and impactful work of the Congregation received a significant affirmation on 1st November 2002, when the Holy See granted them official recognition (Pontifical Right). This endorsement acknowledged their vital mission to extend God's kingdom beyond India and Pakistan, a realm characterized by love, peace, justice, and equality. This profound vision is beautifully encapsulated in our chosen motto: "THY KINGDOM COME."
Charism: “Rooted in Jesus, we respond to the signs of the times by reaching out to the marginalized and those on the peripheries.”
Vision: “Empowered by Jesus and deepened in faith, we spread His love and make it tangible.”
Which include : Education and Formation, Healthcare and Social Services, Pastoral and Catechetical Work. Outreach to the Mentally Challenged, Street Women and Victims of Trafficking, Prisoners, Migrants, and the Physically Disabled, Elderly, Infirm, and Housebound, Girls’ Hostels and Maternity Homes. Our presence brings comfort to the lonely and the suffering, and our hands carry Christ in the Holy Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass.
Among the early pioneers of the Congregation, Sr. Gertrude Lemmens, the sister of Msgr. Salesius Lemmens, stands as a luminous example of Christ-like compassion. Having entered the F.M.C.K. in the early 1940s, she dedicated her life to the care of society’s most marginalized. Her deep empathy and tireless commitment to children with disabilities led to the establishment of
Dar-Ul-Sukun (Home of Peace) on 17th February 1969 in Karachi. This institution became—and remains—a sanctuary of dignity, love, and hope for the vulnerable and voiceless.
In the spirit of Christ’s cry from the Cross, ‘I thirst’ which kindled a sacred flame in the heart of our Foundress, the XIII General Chapter of the Congregation, held in August 2022, discerned and re-elected Rev. Sr. Fatima Rodrigues FMCK as Superior General. Residing now at the Generalate in Old Goa She continues to carry the light of that divine flame—faithfully nurturing the charism and mission entrusted by the Foundress, in response to the thirst of Christ for souls and love.”
The words “I thirst” continue to echo in the hearts of the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King. That divine cry, first heard by Mother Bridget, remains the heartbeat of the Congregation- a summon to go forth with faith, love, and courage. As Mother Bridget once exhorted her Sisters: “Let us live in Franciscan simplicity, radiating the joy and love of Christ. Let us go out in faith and courage-to the poor, the underprivileged and the unwanted. Let us proclaim the Good News to all and draw them to the heart of Jesus.” And so, the flame that was kindled at the Cross still burns -through hands that serve, hearts that love, and lives wholly offered to the King who thirsts.