History & Timeline

Claudine Echernier & Sisters of the Cross

Claudine Echernier (1801–1869), born to a peasant family in Feternes, Chablais, France, founded the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod. With encouragement from Fr Mermier and approval of Monsignor Rey, Bishop of Annecy, the congregation began in August 1838.

By 1839 Claudine and her companions entered the novitiate. Over the next half century the Sisters served across the world; in 1886 six brave sisters landed in South India at Amaravati to serve the poor and heal the sick.

Archbishop Leonard invites the Sisters

Most Rev Dr John Peter Leonard SJ, Archbishop of Madurai, invited the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod to set up a convent in the then isolated Batlagundu Parish for pastoral care and education of youth.

Mother Aurelia, Regional Superior, opened the community. Fr Francis Xavier of St Thomas Church asked the Sisters to take over the Primary School; Sr Cecilia became the first Headmistress. Village visits soon revealed a deep need for medical care.

Convent parlour becomes a clinic

Seeing the medical needs of the surrounding community, a dispensary was established in the Convent parlour with Sr Amendine as the first nurse — the seed of today’s Leonard Hospital beside the Holy Cross Convent.

Four acres secured for a proper hospital

Mother Marie Cecile, then Provincial, sought land for a hospital. Sr Seraphine discovered adjacent land earmarked for a cinema; the owner sold it to the Convent at a lower price “for a noble and needed cause.”

A 40-bed facility named after Archbishop Leonard — with laboratory, X-ray and operation theatre — was planned on that plot.

Day-care crèche for Bethany Village

Mother Marie Cecile Vionnet started the day-care crèche “Sisu Bhavan” for children of Bethany Village. Swiss by birth and Indian in spirit, she was a nurse who sensed the people’s needs — Leonard Hospital owes much to her vision.

German partnership, DEEPAM & Physiotherapy

With support from the Komitee of German Doctors and the Government of Germany, the hospital added a first floor, doctors’ and staff quarters, and major equipment. Bed strength rose to 175, then 200.

1990: Dr Sr Perpetua started Physiotherapy and later extended OPD and the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (1992). 1991: DEEPAM community programmes — health education, camps, village workers, self-employment — with CARITAS India.

Claudine School of Nursing

A dream of Sr Catherine realised — Diploma nursing training for economically disadvantaged young women. Sr Jerome was the first Principal. Government recognition came in July 1998. The vision continues toward a College of Nursing.

Imaging, dialysis & digital systems

RSO certification for CT, X-ray and mammography; SWIFT software; Minividas lab equipment; new C-Arm and mobile X-ray; and a Dialysis Department opened on 8 September 2015.

Infrastructure, specialties & accreditation path

Private rooms and female surgical ward (2007); four operation theatres (2008); CT Scan (2011); Ophthalmic Department under Dr Sr Jacqueline (2012); MICU; New Life Centre for addiction (2009). Award for Best Service by Gandhigram Trust (2016). Enrolled in NABH assessment programmes.

Dedicated Sisters, doctors, staff and partners continue the blessing of Leonard Hospital — towards wholeness in love and service.