Mission in Brazil in 1969

The mission in Luiziania, Brazil began in March, 1968. The first three sisters who were sent there as pioneers were: Sr. Anne Marie, Sr. Cecile Marie and Sr. Joop Witteman. The three of them received the very encouraging news and immediately prepared themselves to go to the mission land. On January 6th, 1969, they were warmly welcomed by the people in Luiziania and in procession were brought to the church.

Further, to support the mission work of the sisters, an old inn was bought that was used for the care of elderly people. Sr. Anne Marie full of passion dedicated her life to take care of this work. Sr. Cecile Marie managed the maternity hospital. Many families still lived in very simple houses. A few days after giving birth, the mother and her baby could remain and be treated there. The sisters also shared clothes and baby care supplies that were sent from the Netherlands. During the first seven years, there were 700 babies born and cared for in that place. The sisters also established an orphanage that accommodated eighteen children, between the ages of eight and fourteen, who had no father or mother. Sr. Joop with great enthusiasm worked in the pastoral field and taught catechism in the orphanage in Luiziania. With great passion the sisters managed these works for 30 years.

These hard working and courageous pioneer sisters in Luiziania were not alone. The three of them received great support from the sisters in the Netherlands. Then, Sr. Christine Godijk was sent to Brazil. She managed the children’s day care. Every day there were about –sixty to seventy children who were accommodated in this house, because at 06:00 in the morning their parents went to work by truck to the wealthy farmers. They received very small wages. In the evening at 18.00 they returned and took the children from the children’s day care.

In February 1973, Sr. Francien van Dortmont was sent to Brazil. She went to Quaranta. For nearly 30 years she cared for the sick and elderly. In August 1974, Sr. Ans Schröder was sent to Brazil and helped to manage the home for the elderly in Luiziania. The people and the sick were very happily accepted by her. She cared for the blind, the lame, the elderly and the people who were very poor. The sisters also accommodated the homeless. With love they offered helping hands, day and night.

Due to reduced physical strength and age, the sisters were not able to continue these mission works of charity. The mission eventually was given over and continued by the Brazilian people. In 2000 the sisters returned to the Netherlands.

From 1969 until 2000, there were nine sisters from Amersfoort who dedicated their lives for the mission in Brazil. (cf. Report about mission in Brazil written by Sr. Ans Schröder)