The sisters of Deva Matha Province Changanacherry stepped into Kanyakumari Mission area in 1972 in response to the invitation of Rev. Fr. James Joseph C.M.I., the then Manager of St. Joseph's Primary School, Pilankalai.  He told Sr. Gracia, the Provincial Superior of Deva Matha Province, to send two teachers to work in St. Joseph's Primary School.  On 20th October 1972 Sr. Francelet and Sr. Anila were sent to work in St. Joseph's L.P. School.  They started to stay at a rented house from 19th November 1973 onwards.  By the Grace of God a plot of land of 2 acres and 39 cents was purchased at Azhakiyamandapam and a small building was built in this property.  It was blessed on 23rd May 1974 and sisters started to stay in the new building on the same day.  Besides teaching, the pioneers began to proclaim the good news of love among the uncivilised people and also tried to uplift their living standard.  Kanyakumari Mission was raised to the status of a Region on 3rd May 1998.  Then St. Joseph's Convent, Azhakiyamandapam was the Regional House.

When San Joe Region was raised to the status of a province the building of St. Joseph's convent was too small to  be functioned as a Provincial House. A new  Provincialate was constructed by Sr. Ancilin the first provincial and her team.  The building was blessed on 8th October 2012 by His Excellency Mar Geroge Rajendran the Bishop of Thuckalay.  Attached to the Provincialate a new chapel and a spacious auditorium also were constructed.  Rev. Mother Philomina (Changanacherry) was the first superior of St. Joseph's Convent.  Sr. Francelet, Sr. Anila, Sr. Silvester (Kanjirappally) and Sr. Rosy Kuttichira (Changanacherry) were the first members of the house.  A Balika Bhavan namely Alphonsa Balika Bhavan was started on 25th October 1985 in the first building of the convent.  A stabiliser assembling unit was also started on 6th January 1995 to give employment to the poor unemployed girls.  Later due to sales problem it was closed in December 2012.  At present the building of Alphonsa stabiliser Assembling unit is converted to Alphonsa Prayer Centre.  The sisters of San Joe Provincial House serve at two parishes, Pilankalai and Mekkamandapam.