Sr. Raphaela was born of Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Mariamma Malieckal , at Palai, Kerala, on 3rd July 1937 as the 8th child among 9 siblings, a family rooted in Christian faith. From her young age Sr. Raphaela developed a missionary zeal to serve the poor and needy in an unknown land. She had untold struggles in convincing her family which at all cost wanted her to join only a local congregation. Fortunately, her cousin Priest intervened and convinced the family. On February 18, 1959, she joined a group of six other girls recruited by Rev. Fr. Joseph Maliparambil who accompanied them to St Anthony’s Convent, Paharganj. New Delhi.

Sr. Presanna Karimala is a God fearing, simple, genial, warm, generous, compassionate, and self-sacrificing and service-minded person, and a daring, dynamic, resourceful, enthusiastic and committed Missionary. Hence, when the question of a new foundation arises, invariably, hers is one of the names that come to the mind of the Major Superiors. By God’s grace, she has lived up to that trust so far! Praise the Lord!