The first peak experience of the Congregation was the way in which it was begun and made autonomous. Founded in 1903 the growth of the Congregation was deadly slow, its very foundation being shaken by the loss of four young members at its very inception. Then followed the joyful event of the opening of the first house of the Congregation, St. Michael ‘s Convent, Ganegama to which Father Founder brought five of his fledglings, Mother Gertrude as Superior, and Sisters Aloysius, Gabrielle, Emily and Margaret. After twenty long years, in spite of counting with only eleven
The congregation founded in a Buddhist country, with no foreign aid, counting just 152 members was raised to Pontifical status in February 1977. This was an occasion of very great rejoicing and thanksgiving to the good God for His many mercies to our congregation. The congregation has had its hidden saints in the persons of four of the early members who died of T.B. in the spring —time of life. They preferred to die faithful rather than go back to the world in order to regain their health, although they were given the option of going home for medical treatment. In the face of much suffering they gave evidence of heroic endurance and patience. The tiny seed that was planted 119 years ago by our beloved Founder Bishop Joseph Van Reeth has taken firm root in Sri Lankan soil and now a branch is taking root in Kenyan soil. Four Holy Angels were sent to Kenya as missionaries on 6th April 1991 as we were invited there. In this mission our sisters are mainly engaged in the Educational apostolate. At present there are 11 Sri Lankan and 12 Kenyan Sisters.
The Historic event of the Celebration of the First Centenary of our Religious Institute was held on 29th September 2003. With grateful hearts to God we the Holy Angels sisters celebrated the 100th anniversary of our Congregation.
Today we are privileged to have our own Private School at Payagala – Sri Lanka, which was opened on the 16th of January 2007 headed by one of our own Sisters. The school was blessed by the Emeritus Archbishop of Colombo, Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis.
It gives us great hope in the Lord, to have been re-entrusted with the care of the less privileged of our society, a one-time priority mission of ours. As a response to the needs that arose after to the Tsunami tidal wave in the year 2004, the Ireland Sri Lanka Association organized and built three hostels for the less privileged children and a Training Centre for the youth. With the help of the Jesuit fathers and in collaboration with the diocese of Galle, we were also able to add two more to the number.
Today we have 34 communities in nine dioceses of Sri Lanka, inclusive of 4 houses of formation. We also have a community in Australia, 06 communities and 2 houses of formation in Kenya.