The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Anne of Tiruchirapalli (SAT) was founded by a holy and pious widow Mother Annammal in 1858 with the sole aim and unique purpose for uplifting the social status of poor, weak, marginalised and destitute young women, particularly widows, from the unethical and evil clutches of society. Because of poverty and illiteracy, widows and women were subjected to innumerable tortures, treated worse than slaves and completely denied the basic human dignity, resulting in their total oppression in society. Even today the suffering and conditions of widows, women and female children have not changed much. In this background and following the footsteps of the Foundress, the Congregation is always at the service of widows, women and female children.

The Congregation, Canonically erected as a Diocesan Congregation in 1880 and elevated to Pontifical Status in 1977, has grown into a worldwide organization of Religious Women in the Catholic Church. At present, more than 1000 sisters are carrying on their mission by rendering committed and dedicated service to widows, women, female children, orphans, tribal, differently abled and others under the Generalate and the six Provinces.