Servant of God Joseph C. Panjikaran (1888-1949) was a Historian, Journalist, Social Activist and the founder of religious congregation of the "Medical Sisters of St. Joseph' (Dharmagiri Sisters).

Joseph C. Panjikaran was born on 10th September 1888, in a noble family in the village of Uzhuva near Cherthala in Allappuzha District, Kerala. He got graduated in history from St. Joseph’s College, Thiruchirappally and completed his post graduation from Madras University in 1913. Among the Syro-Malabar Christians in Kerala, he was the first person to receive a post graduate degree in any discipline.

Joseph joined priesthood and got ordained as a priest in 1918, for the Catholic Diocese of Ernakulum. From 1921 he was the director of 'The Propagation of Faith' in the vicariate of Ernakulum and took great interest to preach the Good News of Jesus to the poor. He got involved in all kinds of social and developmental activities, healing and charitable works for them. It was always his concern to keep the poor and marginalized of society in focus and brings them to the mainstream. Whatever he did, he did selflessly for the greater glory of God and establishment of God's kingdom. Humility and disobedience were the bench marks of his personality and he was a man of integrity, vision and hope.

Mgr. Panjikaran was a man who walked ahead of time. Way back in 1934, when health was not considered as a priority issue, he opened a hospital named Dharmagiri (Charity Mount) in Kothamangalam, Kerala for the suffering under privileged brethren of our country. He also founded 'The Medical Sisters of St. Joseph', a congregation solely engaged in healing ministry.

Mgr. Panjikaran has left indelible foot prints as a Spiritual Guru and a lover of the poor. On 4th November 1949, he died after a massive heart attack and his mortal remains laid to rest in the Dharmagiri cemetery at Kothamangalam. The fragrance of his saintly life and virtues still continue to inspire, that faithful visit his tomb daily seeking his intercession.