Msgr. Joseph Kandathil Born in 1904 at Chempu, a parish in Vaikom. During his seminary life in Mangalapuram, he happened to visit the Muller’s Hospital and come across to witness the sufferings of leprosy patients there. This made him very upset and took a decision to dedicate the rest of his life for the care of such people. After his ordination, he took charge as the Assistant Vicar at Muttom in Cherthala. While house visits, he found leprosy patients in his parish. He was so moved and decided to do something to help this poor patients.

People like Divan Sir C.P.Ramaswamy Iyer, Chief Secretary M.K. Neelakanda lyer and Kandathil parambil Luka Antony encouraged and helped him to setup a centre for the in-house treatment of leprosy patients at the presents Green Gardens premises in 1942. He also founded Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, an order of religious sisters and vested the charge of the hospital with them. Thereafter for the rehabilitation of leprosy patients and to serve the poor and needy he created many institutions. These institutions have branched out to all over India and abroad too. By undergoing the sheer physical hardship in ventures, he really lived with the patients and shared their sufferings. On December 12th, 1991 at the age of 87 he passed away.