Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Maria Hilf

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The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Maria Hilf ( order abbreviation : FMMH ) are a Roman Catholic women's congregation founded in Ecuador in 1892 by St. Maria Bernarda Bütler . The Order is particularly active in missionary work in Latin America .

founding

Sr. Cosilia Hofer, Superior General of the Congregation, in Frastanz
Presence of the founder St. Maria Bernarda Bütler in the Bernardaheim

Mother Maria Bernarda Bütler (1848–1924) was superior of the Capuchin convent Maria Hilf in Altstätten , Switzerland . She and her six nuns traveled in 1888 at the encouragement of the Capuchin Provincial of North America with a papal indult to the Ecuadorian city of Chone in order to found a monastery there as missionaries . Through the work of Mother Maria Bernarda, the monastery developed into an independent mission congregation with several monasteries under the name " Franciscan Mission Sisters of Maria Hilf" with foundations in Ecuador, Colombia , Brazil and a European religious establishment in Gaissau / Austria near Altstätten.

The headquarters of the Congregation had to be relocated to Cartagena , Colombia, in 1895, when the owners and institutions of the Catholic Church in Ecuador were nationalized . The congregation was under the direction of Mother Maria Bernarda Bütler until 1924. Through their effect, Christian life flourished everywhere in the places where the Franciscan Missionary Sisters were active. The congregation was founded in 1938 by Pope Pius XI. officially recognized. Maria Bernarda was beatified in 1995 by Pope John Paul II and 13 years later in 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI. canonized .

See also → Maria Bernarda Bütler .

activity

The growing congregation was divided into five provinces in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe in 1964.

The Mission Congregation makes its contribution to the evangelization of the population in Latin America and Africa primarily through pastoral work, education, teaching, care for the sick, the disabled and the elderly, as well as other care. They found and run their own schools, hospitals, homes for the disabled and old people's homes.

The congregation has 840 Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Maria Hilf (2008).

Superior General of the Congregation: Sister Consilia Hofer , Head of the European Province.

Areas of activity with branch monastery or branches (2008):

Headquarters:

  • World headquarters: Bogotá , Colombia.
  • European Provincial Office: Bernardaheim Maria Ebene in Frastanz in Vorarlberg / Austria (especially training and further education as well as relaxation for the missionary sisters).

Web links