CHENNAI, India (RNS) A German-born nun has been elected the new head of the Missionaries of Charity, the missionary order founded by the late Mother Teresa in Calcutta in 1950.

Sister Mary Prema, who is a senior nun of the order, succeeds Sister Nirmala Joshi, who was elected Superior General following Mother Teresa’s 1997 death. Prema’s election was announced Tuesday (March 24) at the end of the congregation’s general meeting just outside Calcutta.

Church officials said the election was prompted by Sister Nirmala’s request to step down, citing ill-health and a desire to live a contemplative life in the congregation — even after she had been elected to a third term on March 13.