BES was founded by the Founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Servant of God Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas in Mangalore on September 4, 1948 with Sr Petra as its first president. Father Mascarenhas was a great visionary who brought about immeasurable transformation in the society through his educational, pastoral, medical and social activities. Besides schools, the Teacher Training Institution and Industrial schools were prominent in his list. He championed the cause of education almost all through his priestly life from 1900 to 1960 barring the last two years of his declining health. As a result, in 1961 Bethany spread to the north, northeast and other parts of the country.
The Bethany Education Society (BES) which has two schools in Goa, Bethany Convent High School, Sao Jose de Areal and St Sebastian’s High School, Loliem, will celebrate its closing ceremony of the platinum jubilee on September 18 with the thanksgiving Eucharist Celebration at St Sebastian church, Bendur, Mangalore, presided by Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore. It will be followed by cultural programme. Archbishop Peter Machado of the Archdiocese of Bangalore will be the chief guest for the felicitation programme. Inaugural of the jubilee year was held on October 12, 2022. Indeed, it is an occasion to thank God and one another for being a significant stakeholder in realising the journey of BES in the past 75 years.
At present, BES under its management has 140 educational institutions, 33 hostels and many non-formal education centres in rural areas, spreading its branches in 26 States and 53 Dioceses of India. Over 78,000 students are learning in different levels of education. Bethany and BES have embraced the lives of the poor in East Africa, Tanzania in the year 2013.
BES vision is to promote the glory of God by the holiness of the members of our Institute and the service of the Kingdom of God. Education for fullness of life for all, especially the marginalized and rural poor and the girls, through an integrated formation, in partnership with God to build His Kingdom is its goal.
It’s core values include: God Experience; compassionate love for all, especially the poor and the marginalized; communion, collaboration, team spirit; excellence in terms of developing each one’s unique potentialities to build a just and humane community; truth, love, justice and peace; simplicity of life style and dignity of labour and respect for life, nature, cultures, religions and love for the Nation
These set of values not only guided the BES, but also united the BES family all over the country. The Society looks forward with greater hope and commitment to actualise the priorities of the jubilee year like upholding justice, liberty, equality and fraternity; promotion of peace and harmony; caring for mother earth; education for excellence and self-reliance.