What is mission for us?

Talking about mission in our congregation, we can say that “the mission” is not only addressed to the sisters who have been sent or have worked outside her own country, but it is addressed to all of us – as Sisters of Our Lady, who have an open spirit to accept, to serve and see others as sisters and brothers wherever we are sent.

In our Constitutions, the missionary spirit of Sisters of Our Lady clearly states that we acknowledge the dignity of others who are created in the image of God.

“Along the way we want to become sisters to one another and to commit ourselves to a new society, in which human beings will be recognized as sisters and brothers.”(cf. Constitutions p. 23 paragraph 2)

Looking back at the historical journey of the beginning of our Congregation and its development until now, we can delve into and discover the heritage of the missionary spirit of our forerunners; the movement which encouraged them to have a mission in the Netherlands by dedicating their lives completely, to leave their families, to leave behind the comfort of life and finally to spread out to Norway, Indonesia, Malawi, Brazil and the Philippines.

Hopefully the missionary spirit of our forerunners can inspire us to continue the life and mission of the congregation, wherever we live at this moment.

For the next generations, hopefully the heritage and exemplary missionary spirit of our forerunners, will become a torch in responding to the current situation.

“All of us are dedicated to the mission of our congregation. Those most fully active may know that they are supported, carried and inspired by those who are no longer directly involved in this work, due to illness, old age or any other reason.”

 (Constitution, p. 73 no.3)

Mission in The Netherlands

Mission movement of the Sisters of Our Lady,which was founded in1822, stream from  Amersfoort to other regions in the Netherlands.

After 1850 we experienced the glory periods of congregation in the Netherlands. It was evident in the large number of members, communities and apostolic works.

“…The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed…, which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches (Matthew 13: 32)



In the beginning of our congregation, we recognize that the number of members in the Netherlands until 1924 developed rapidly and many convents were opened. The fire of the missionary spirit of the Sisters was burning and they were aware of the needy in Dutch society. The sisters worked hard and with passion to do their mission works both inside and outside the communities.

In the past almost all the housekeeping in the convents was done by sisters. Most of the sisters had mission works in the boarding schools, which was appropriate with the first spirit of the forerunners and the charisma of Mother Julie Billiart.

In the next developments, the sisters in The Netherlands ran their mission works in accordance with the needs of society in the Netherlands, among others: care homes for the elderly, social and pastoral work, a home for orphans and boarding houses for students, special care for the sick, retreat houses, a conference centre, etc.

The missionary spirit of the sisters in The Netherlands had never been limited by age, time and place. Personal and communal prayer gave very significant support for the continuation of the mission work of our Congregation.

We admire the missionary spirit of the sisters that never faded. Through various ways the sisters do the things they can do and undertake works of charity. For example: to give full support and to collect funds through “Vriendendag” (Day for Friends) in Agnietenhove, fancy fairs in the communities, to maintain contact with donors and to look for funds for Malawi, Brazil and the Philippines, as well as other projects that need funding.

Mission in Norway in 1924

The mission in Norway was started on the initiative of Mgr. Jan Olav Smit, the Apostolic Vicar of Norway and Spitsbergen. On October 23^rd, 1923 Mgr. Smit requested the superior general, Mother Alphonse Wester Woudt, to send some sisters for a mission in Norway. The same request was also submitted to the Bishop of Utrecht, Mgr. H. v.d. Wetering.

The sisters began the mission in Trondheim, a city of European culture. They had a house in the parish church of St. Olav.

The main goals of this mission were: to teach French and English, to play the organ in the church and to sing songs that would give new life and atmosphere in the parish. The majority of the population in Norway was Lutheran, with only a small number of Catholics. In St. Olav’s parish, there were only 40 people.

On October 30^th 1923, the congregation announced this first mission and gave an opportunity to the sisters who were interested in dedicating themselves to this mission in the field of education.  After some conversations, the general superior and her assistants finally chose four pioneer sisters for this first mission in Norway.

They were:

Sr. Gonzaga Berendsen,               as community leader

Sr. Aufride ten Brink,                      in charge of education

Sr. Alida Fokken                             in charge of education

Sr. Marcella Roelofs                       care of kitchen.

Standing from left to right, Sr. Madeleine, Sr. Macella
Sitting from left to right: Sr. Alida, Sr. Agnetina and Sr. Aufrida

These four sisters took ten days for a retreat in preparation for their mission and in May 1924 they left the Netherlands on the ship "Iris" to Norway.

They were welcomed by Mgr. Smit and another priest. After having Mass and singing a Norwegian song, Mgr. Smit prayed in Dutch:

"Our Lord Jesus, the sisters came here from far away, because they were stirred by the love in realizing Your work, bless them and the work that will be done that it may bear fruit".

On May 24^th, 1924 the first sisters arrived in Trondheim. There they took over the school that was ran by Sr. Wanda, a Sister of St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Trondheim.

Sr. Alida soon began by opening a kindergarten.

All the materials brought from the Netherlands for the school were ready to use. One room in the parish house was used as a classroom, the Mary Hall as a bedroom for the sisters and a very small room for recreation and a dining room.

In 1928 Sr. Alida began to give private lessons and to teach painting. At school they worked together with a Norwegian language teacher, Mrs. Skarland. The kindergarten that was started was very small and did not grow, because in Norway public schools were financed by the government. This included school materials and food. The children did not need to pay anything. They were also afraid to enter the catholic school because most of the Norwegian population was Lutheran. The parents did not dare to entrust their children to the sisters.

In this early mission the more successful work was done by the sister who cared for the kitchen. Besides working the whole day in the kitchen, in the afternoon or evening she gave cooking lessons. The sisters also gave private lessons in foreign languages, especially French, to the Lutheran bishop and his wife and one vicar. This work did not bring any financial support. After several years, finally the sisters and the parish priest decided to close the school.

 

Covent of Sisters of Our Lady Amersfoort in Norway



In the opinion of a missionary who had longer stayed there, the quality of educational methods of the sisters was not sufficiently developed.

Eventually the sisters had their own printing press “Onze Lieve Vrouw” that was managed by Sr. Aufride with the help of Sr. Alida. They had to master this skill. According to the story, on Sundays they opened the bookstore. In that way the sisters could earn money for their daily needs.

In the year 1927, the leaders in Amersfoort reconsidered the mission work in Norway. The initial expectation of the mission was that the sisters were able to use their teaching skills and respond to the needs that were previously proposed. But there were many difficulties in managing the school. There were very few students and the schools in Norway were all free of charge. This was the reason that the sisters had no source of income. Finally in 1934, it was decided that the mission in Norway was not to be continued. Sr. Philomena clearly stated that "the end of the mission in Norway is not meant to discourage the missionary spirit. This is not the end of everything"

From the year 1924 to 1934 there were eleven sisters from Amersfoort for the mission in Norway. There was one candidate, Sr. Sunniva from Norway, who went through a period of formation in Norway and the novitiate in the Netherlands until she pronounced her final vows. Later she left the congregation and returned to Norway. (Quoted from a document, congregation archives, Amersfoort)

Mission in Indonesia 1926

Precisely on the feast of the annunciation of Mary on March 25th, 1926, Mother M. Philomena, the general superior of the Congregation, received a request from the superior of the Carmelite order in the Netherlands, Father J.M. Cyprian Verbeek, O.Carm. This request mentioned that Father Elias Wouters O.Carm, who worked in the parish in Probolinggo, really needed some sisters who had the spirit of sacrifice to handle the mission work.



With enthusiasm and an open heart, Mother Philomena accepted this request following the example of Mary who was also ready to accept good news.

The first seven missionary sisters  were sent to Indonesian  

Then Mother Philomena sent the first seven sisters to Indonesia. They were Sr. Oda van der Post, Sr. Arnolda Berensen, Sr. Rosaria Platt, Sr. Marie Bernardetta van Luijk, Sr. Agnesia Hegman, Sr. Emiliana Nieuwsteeg and Sr. Vincenta Hulshof. They departed on the ship “P.C. Hooft” and they arrived in Batavia, now Jakarta on October 1st, 1926. From Batavia they continued their journey to Surabaya, Malang and finally they arrived in Probolinggo on October 11th, 1926.

Full of joy and with deep gratitude, the seven sisters went to the church and were blessed with holy water. In his speech Bishop Clemens van der Pas expressed his hope that the mission in Probolinggo which would be started by the sisters under the protection and blessing of God could grow and develop not only in Probolinggo, but across the whole of East Java. (Cf. the history of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady in Indonesia from 1926 to 2001 p. 5)

Initial growth of congregation

Under the leadership of Mother Oda, the first superior, the missionary sisters soon began to fulfil the purpose of their presence. Slowly but with a clear plan and encouraged by the spirit of sacrifice, they began to carry out the school and boarding house. On August 1st, 1928 the boarding house for the Javanese girls was opened in Probolinggo.

Furthermore, the growth of new communities in East Java grew rapidly. The Dutch missionary sisters adapted themselves quickly, especially to the extremely hot weather. They lived very simply and integrated with the local culture and customs well; for example, the way to bathe, to eat, and to communicate in the Indonesian language, etc.

The simple way of life and the steadfastness of the missionary sisters in the face of many difficulties in their daily living, nurtured their life and vocations, with the result that many girls were interested in becoming a sister of Our Lady (SPM). This situation gave new hope that the ministry which had been started by the missionary sisters could be continued.

Difficult times between the years 1942–1949

As of April 29th, 1942 all schools in Probolinggo were prohibited from using the Dutch language and even forced to close. This situation also occurred in several other cities. A few weeks later the sisters were not allowed to continue teaching in the classroom, even though the school used Javanese and the Malay/Indonesian language. Furthermore, the Japanese occupied our schools for offices and residences.

In 1943 all the Dutch sisters lived in the camp. All convents were empty, except the convent in Probolinggo, because there were five Indonesian sisters with four young novices and 29 children. These five young sisters saved the convent in Probolinggo. Due to the uncertain situation, the novices were allowed to return to their family for the time being.

In September 1945 after Indonesia's independence and the Japanese surrender, the sisters returned to Probolinggo. Even though Indonesia had declared its independence on August 17th, 1945, the situation only returned to normal in 1947. All the sisters were able to return to their communities and the schools could be opened again.

In a very difficult situation, in 1948 Sr. Theophila the superior general, and Sr. Theresiana the general assistant from Amersfoort visited Probolinggo.

As a result of this visit, in 1948 five sisters from Amersfoort were sent to Indonesia and some sisters were again sent annually.

In April 1959 there was a government law forbidding Dutch missionary sisters to teach in the classroom. On July 1st, 1959 twenty sisters were released from their work, but they were still allowed to teach religion.

From 1926 until today there were sixty-nine sisters from the Netherlands as missionary sisters in Indonesia. Three sisters died in Japanese camps and they were buried in Ambarawa and Semarang. Eight sisters were buried in Malang and Probolinggo, and forty-eight sisters died in the Netherlands.

The seeds that they sowed with love, sacrifice and devotion along with their love for Indonesia, are now growing and developing.

Mission in Malawi 1959

 At the beginning of 1959, the Bishop of Nyasaland (later called Malawi), met the superior of the Congregation in Amersfoort. He requested the sisters to educate the women and girls particularly in home economics. It was also expected that the sisters would open a hostel for children.



The request "Africa is calling" very much attracted the sisters. So many sisters offered themselves for this mission, but only six sisters were selected and sent to Nyasaland. The sisters in the Netherlands strongly supported the mission in Africa. They had fancy fairs and other social activities for the success of this new mission. The "Africa is calling" challengeechoed in the hearts of the sisters!

 

the sisters of missionaris Malawi



On September 13th, 1959 the first three sisters departed from Amersfoort. They were Sr. Annetta Verhoef, Sr. Gonzalina Schwieters and Sr. Rosa Kamphuis. All the sisters could not go together, because the temporary place in the bishop house was only available for three sisters. One month later, on October 20th, 1959 the second group of three sisters landed in Nyasaland. They were Sr.Gertrude Walenkamp, Sr.Melania Kraaijkamp and Sr. Werenfrida Adema.

Although the first house in Stella Maris, Blantyre, had not been completed and there was no water for cooking, drinking and bathing the sisters moved into the house. They could immediately adjust themselves to the hot weather. They lived in a simple way and struggled to communicate in English.

In keeping with the mission goals, their activities were among others, to teach and open a hostel for the children, to teach sewing and handwork in some schools, to control the construction of the new building for the school, etc. On May 22nd, 1962 the school "Stella Maris", Blantyre was officially opened by Governor Sir Glyn Jones.

In the following years, the number of sisters who were sent to Malawi increased. They were open to the needs of the local people: serving the children in Jacaranda Children's Home, teaching handwork to mothers and girls in several villages. The sisters eagerly opened ta mission in a very hot area, Bangula. There was no electricity and it was far from the crowded city. The sisters opened a workshop for handicapped people in Sorgin and Kalemba Health Centre in Bangula.

From 1959 until 2006, there were twenty-seven sisters from Amersfoort who dedicated their lives for the mission in Malawi.

The convents of Sisters of Our Lady in the Region Malawi since 1959

1959                          Blantyre                    Stella Maris

1964                          Limbe                        Jacaranda

1968 - 1987              Blantyre                    Regina Pacis                      

1970                          Chiromo                    Bangula

1972                          Blantyre                    Chimwemwe

source: the notes Sisters of Our Lady in Malawi 1959 –1987, written by Sr. Simplicia Swart and Sr. Werenfrida Adema)

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)

Mission in The Philippines in 2004

From Indonesia to the Philippines

It was a great step that the Indonesian province dared to take the initiative to start the mission in a new place beyond the Indonesian borders, the Philippines.



the sisters start new mission of Indonesian province

 The initial reason for the Indonesian province to start the mission in the Philippines was to live and develop the spirituality of the congregation in the Philippines, especially among the people who were to be served; to foster the seeds of a vocation to the Sisters of Our Lady for the continuity of the life and mission of the Congregation.



With the support of the General Chapter and the Provincial Chapter 2000, Sr. M. Elisa Ariadini and Sr. M. Prisilia Dewi Utari were sent to the Philippines. Then on February 2nd, 2004 Baras community was officially opened. At the beginning the sisters lived in the house of a Foundation which cares for street children. The sisters worked there as volunteers while looking for other needs required by the local people. In keeping alive the spirit of Mother Julie Billiart, eventually the sisters opened and directly managed a kindergarten in Malalim.