Ever since the inception of the society in 1984, lay collaborators have been part of the DMI family. “Our Collaborators are men and women married or single who have felt this particular call from God to become prophets, apostles and missionaries of the poor. Hence they have come forward to collaborate with the DMIs, as volunteers of the Gospel. While continuing to live in their own families, they may … collaborate with us in praying for our missions and ministries. They are also persons who participate in our ministries through their hearts and generous financial supports.” (DMI Constitution, Chapter XVI, Art 190)
The first generation of Collaborators offered great spiritual and financial help to the Society in its infant years. The parents of the Founder, Sri.Muthaiah and Smt.Muthamma had the habit of offering three rosaries at the stroke of midnight everyday for the growth and well-being of the Society. Ms.Brigitte and Maria from Germany, Rev.Fr.Jesudoss, Mrs.Devadoss, Mrs.Rani and Mrs.Amaly Cletus not only offered spiritual assistance but supported us financially to the extent of supplying even the saris worn by the sisters as the Society was literally penniless. Collaborators like Mr.Soosai Michael have been with us right through in the field of Social work.
The second generation of Collaborators not only worked with the DMIs but also brought in new ideas and strived hard for its development and expansion. Mr.A.Ignatius Xavier got associated with us in 1998 and the string of educational institutions owes its existence and growth heavily to him. The mission in Tanzania and East Africa are the fruits of the initiative of Mr.T.X.A.Anand and Mr. A. Ignatius Herman. They arrived in Tanzania on 19th July 2003 and prepared the field for the mission and DMIs went in later to join them in the mission. That is why the Tanzanian mission is called “The Collaborator’s Mission.” Mr.S.Cletus Babu, Mrs.I.Jessie and others got associated with the society in its mission in India.
In his farsighted vision, the Founder wishes to make the lay collaborators partners in the Church’s ministry as very much recommended by the Vatican Council that says, “In the Church there is diversity of ministry but unity of mission. To the apostles and their successors Christ has entrusted the office of teaching, sanctifying and governing in his name and by his power. But the laity are made to share in the priestly, prophetical and kingly office of Christ; they have therefore, in the Church and in the world, their own assignment in the mission of the whole people of God.”
Priestly vocations are on the decline while the harvest remains plentiful. Sacraments are channels of God’s grace and are vital to the Church and its very life. Priests are the ministers of the sacraments who can never be replaced. However a great need has arisen for non-celibate Catholics to participate in the Church’s ministry by becoming and being lay ministers helping the ministers of the sacraments. Committed lay people irrespective of their single or married status are sought after and encouraged to be directly involved in the ministry of the Church along with the celibate priests. The necessary financial support to them and their family to lead a decent life is assured. Such collaborators are now called “Associates of Mary Immaculate” and have become another extension of the DMI mission.