The new little congregation was indeed blessed in its beginnings. Vocations increased and it was soon able to answer the numerous requests for foundations in other parts of Savoy. In 1849 this new congregation was called to spread out much farther than Europe. Mgr Neyret, a missionary of St Francis de Sales - ( a religious Congregation based in Annecy) – requested Sisters for his mission in Visakhapatnam, India. There was a generous response from the Sisters and four were chosen. They left Annecy for an unknown world on July the 7th 1849 and arrived at Pondicherry over three months later. They had arrived in India, but not at their final destination. On the 5th of November they arrived in Yanam. Much is written about these early very difficult days. The first year took its toll and Sr Ste Claire died in July 1850 just one year after they had left Annecy. However other Sisters volunteered and the Sisters of St Joseph of Chambery also volunteered to join them. The Chambery Sisters moved north and Annecy sisters stayed in the Visak area. Despite many difficulties the Province grew, supported by more Sisters form France and England, and served the poor.