Als Antwort auf Gottes Ruf

As part of our ongoing observance of the 200th birthday of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, we continue to post excerpts of Als Antwort auf Gottes Ruf (Bonifatius, 2016), the history of the Sisters of Christian Charity since 1881, by Sister Anna Schwanz, SCC, translated by Sister Mary Perpetua Rehle, SCC.

"In 1938 [in Germany], religious persecution took on greater proportions, sometimes gently and masked, then again brutal and open, by spying on priests and the faithful, disruption of church services, the elimination of prayer in schools and the removal of crucifixes from classrooms, the restriction of religious instruction and even the disbanding of the Catholic Youth Associations and the seizure of their entire resources because of 'subversive activities.'

"The contest against the Church was, at the same time, a contest against religious Congregations.  A secret instruction of February 15, 1938 stated: 'The Congregations are the militant arm of the Catholic Church.  For that reason, they must be pushed back, constricted and finally exterminated from their fields of influence.'  Whenever the Sisters could serve a good cause, the courageously set to work.  Some missions provide opportunities for meetings to groups who had been disbanded.  There were days of reflection for pupils before their graduation and for various other groups.  At such gatherings, one always had to reckon with the appearance of the Gestapo and the fear of being taken away by them was great.

"The solidarity of the Sisters during difficult times showed itself even more strongly during the destruction of foundations in Germany and at the beginning of reconstruction.  A selection from a Circular Letter from Mother Anselmis during this time emphasizes this: 'My dear Sisters, what makes me very, very happy, despite all the heartache . . . never has holy love, the main rule of our beloved convent family celebrated such triumph as in this time of inner and outer distress.  In my long life in religion, I have never had the opportunity to witness a closer unity of Sisters with one another and a greater willingness to help and to support each other.  We must thank the dear Lord for that, but also our blessed Mother Pauline, who instilled such a spirit of harmony and love into her Community.  Holy Love was to be its life, its soul and its guiding principle.  Thanks be to God, dear Mother Pauline, your foundation has faithfully preserved this original spirit.  The year 1945 is the proof of it.."

Laudato Si for the Classroom

The JPIC promoters in Rome have made a new booklet for teachers, providing creative ways to share Laudato Si in the classroom.  (You will recall that Laudato Si is the Pope's "Environment Encyclical," published in June 2015.)  Click here for the booklet and here for the accompanying cards.

Thanks to Sister Joanne for sending this information from Rome!

Als Antwort auf Gottes Ruf

As part of our ongoing observance of the 200th birthday of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, we continue to post excerpts of Als Antwort auf Gottes Ruf (Bonifatius, 2016), the history of the Sisters of Christian Charity since 1881, by Sister Anna Schwanz, SCC, translated by Sister Mary Perpetua Rehle, SCC.

"The vibrant memory of Mother Pauline and the striving to live and to labor in her spirit was, and still remains today, a source of the inner unity among all the members of the Congregation. . . .  The Episcopal Informative Process came to an end on November 20, 1933.  The final signatures and seal were added to the collection of materials . . . Thus began a new phase in the beatification process. . . .

"In the meantime, the 28 volumes of Mother Pauline's writings, which had been notarized and sent to Rome in 1930, had been carefully studied by the theologians assigned by the Congregation of Rites.  A decree of December 6, 1942 officially stated 'that nothing contrary to the Faith of the Church or good morals had been found.'

"To spread devotion to Mother Pauline in America, the Western Province began the Mother Pauline League.  Above all, the children in the schools were to become acquainted with Mother Pauline's life and work, and through them also the adults.  Membership grew quickly not only in the West, but in the other Provinces where the League had spread.  The Eastern Province joined in 1940 and in South America the Liga Paulina came into existence."

Reminder: Fortnight for Freedom

Reminder:  The Fortnight for Freedom begins June 21 (the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More) and ends on July 4 (Independence Day in the USA).  Click here for more information from the USCCB.

World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day, commemorated on June 20, was first designated by the United Nations in 2001.  This is a day to honor the strength, courage, contributions and cultures around the world.  Thanks to Sister Joanne Bednar for sharing this prayer and reflection guide with us, from the JPIC Promoters in Rome.

Fortnight for Freedom

Reminder from the USCCB:  The Fortnight for Freedom (from June 21 through July 4) is a way for dioceses around the country to highlight the importance of defending religious freedom.  This year's theme is "Freedom for Mission."  Click here to learn more about this observance and to find materials for each day.

Als Antwort Auf Gottes Ruf

As part of our ongoing observance of the 200th birthday of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, we continue to post excerpts of Als Antwort auf Gottes Ruf (Bonifatius, 2016), the history of the Sisters of Christian Charity since 1881, by Sister Anna Schwanz, SCC, translated by Sister Mary Perpetua Rehle, SCC.

Identity and Community Unity in Changing Times
The external threats, obstacles and limitations in Germany led to a strong awareness of the unity among the Sisters and the convents.  This inner consolidation can be compared with the time during and after the Kulturkampf.  The fact that the unity among provinces did not suffer during the time of National Socialism and the Second World War, but rather grew stronger, cannot be understood in the light of Germany's political threats to other countries, but is rather based upon common roots and goals. . . .
. . .
The celebration of traditional community feasts, which gave inner strength during these difficult times was also important:  Investing, First and Final Profession, jubilees, Founding Day.  April 30, 1933 was of importance as the first such celebration in Paderborn after Hitler seized power.  Eleven Postulants were invested and 19 Novices made First Profession.  . . . Many young women entered during the following years until after September 1940, when the acceptance of new applicants became almost impossible due to a decree by the Reich.

This sad situation found a happy balance in the American Provinces.  During the years from 1941-1945, 17 new members were accepted in Germany, but during that same time, 73 were invested in South America and 126 in North America.

World Day of the Poor

"Tragically, in our own time, even as ostentatious wealth accumulates in the hands of the privileged few, often in connection with illegal activities and the appalling exploitation of human dignity, there is a scandalous growth of poverty in broad sectors of society throughout our world.  Faced with this scenario, we cannot remain passive, much less resigned."

Offering these words on the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua (June 13), Pope Francis introduced the first-ever World Day of the Poor, to be commemorated on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (November 19).  The complete text of the Holy Father's message is available here.

According to the message, "It is my wish that, in the week preceding the World Day of the Poor . . . Christian communities will make every effort to create moments of encounter and friendship, solidarity and concrete assistance.  They can invite the poor and volunteers to take part together in the Eucharist on this Sunday, in such a way that there will be an even more authentic celebration of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King, on the following Sunday."

What can we do for the Word Day of the Poor?

Als Antwort Auf Gottes Ruf

As part of our ongoing observance of the 200th birthday of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, we continue to post excerpts of Als Antwort auf Gottes Ruf (Bonifatius, 2016), the history of the Sisters of Christian Charity since 1881, by Sister Anna Schwanz, SCC, translated by Sister Mary Perpetua Rehle, SCC.

North America (continued)

In the Western Province, the home for the elderly and sick Sisters, which had been located in Clarenden Hill since the division of the Provinces, became too small and impractical.  The situation was remedied in 1937 by the construction of a new home on the Motherhouse property in Wilmette.  . . . 'With grateful hearts, 32 ill and elderly Sisters moved into the beautiful, very practically and comfortably furnished house.' It was the beginning of Sacred Heart Convent, which today serves the same purpose.  The original house in Clarenden Hill was converted into a retreat house and a home for women.  

. . .

The strong cohesion of the communities and Provinces among each other was especially felt during times of crisis and was manifested by spiritual and material aid.  During the Court Proceedings regarding finances in Germany, the Sisters overseas shared pain, concerns and prayers with their German Sisters.  Involved Sisters in North America wrote hundreds of letters to all possible influential persons and institutions (Senators, Delegates, Judges, large firms, etc.) asking them to write to the German Ambassador in Washington. The Sisters of Christian Charity are widespread in the USA, accomplish much and have very great influence in all possible circles. . . . Mountains of letters of this type and thousands of signatures were sent to the Ambassador and were later forwarded to Berlin in crates.  This certainly did not remain without effect.

One Minute for Peace

Pope Francis has asked for international participation in "One Minute for Peace" on Thursday, June 8 at 1:00 pm, local time.  Click here for more information and here for the text of the General Audience in which Pope Francis invites us to pray. Wherever you are at 1:00 pm, try to stop and say a prayer for peace.

June Issue of Stop Trafficking

The June 2017 issue of Stop Trafficking, providing various reports to help us realize the complexities of human trafficking, is available here.

Co-Responsibility

In the May-June issue of Health Progress, a publication of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, Chris Lowney suggests that lay persons must no longer be thought of as "collaborators" in the Church, but as "'co-responsible' for the Church's being and action." Entitled "Ministry Leadership's Next Great Leap," the article (available here) is written as a reflection on health care sponsorship, but "The concept of sponsorship . . . [is] relevant to a broader niche than Catholic health care."  It is relevant, according to Lowney, "across all Catholic ministries . . . all around the globe."  Lowney sees "co-responsibility" as something necessary for the 21st century church to survive.

Please read the article and see what you think about co-responsibility as a "way forward" for the church.

Why is the ACLU Targeting Catholic Hospitals?

Stephanie Slade's recent article in America, "Why is the ACLU Targeting Catholic Hospitals?" is well worth the time to read.  As she notes in the article, one in six patients receives medical care at a Catholic institution -- of which there are 649 in the country, employing 750,000 people.  While the ACLU's targeting of these Catholic institutions centers around abortion and contraception, the larger point (and one of the reasons we should pay attention to this) is that Catholic health care exists in many underserved communities.  In fact, in some communities, the Catholic hospital is the only one within a wide geographic range. Click here to read the article.

Pauline at 200

Today we commemorate the 200th birthday of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, the Founder of the Sisters of Christian Charity, Daughters of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception.  Born on June 3, 1817, Pauline was the first of four children of the vice-president of Minden, Detmar von Mallinckrodt, and his wife, Bernardine von Hartmann.  Historically, these were turbulent times in Germany.  The rulers who had lost their lands and power during the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) were looking to regain both by whatever means possible, including seizing property of the Catholic Church and depriving Catholics in Germany of their rights.  In its attempt to legislate religion, in 1803 the government passed a law entitled, "Religious Worship and Education," which required that all children of high-ranking officials follow the religion of their father. In fact, it stated that failure to comply with this law would result in dismissal from office.   As the child of a Catholic mother and a Lutheran father who was a government official, Pauline should have been baptized Lutheran.  However, at four days old, when it became uncertain whether baby Pauline would live, a priest was summoned and she was baptized Catholic.  Thus, from the beginning, Pauline was involved in the struggles between church and state that were characteristic of Germany at that time and would continue to play a significant role throughout her life.

On August 21, 1849, Pauline and three other women became the first Sisters of Christian Charity, whose "primary solicitude and love was to be directed to the care and instruction of the blind."  From that time on the congregation grew and spread, expanding its sphere of activity to embrace men and women of every generation, every social level, every religion, rich or poor, infants or the aged.

Today, the Sisters of Christian Charity carry Pauline's vision throughout the world.  We are grateful to God for Blessed Pauline, for her family and for all those on whose shoulders we stand.

Father in heaven, lead us in the way of love as you led Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt.  Open our hearts to others, that loving them as your Son commanded, we may be one with them in your heavenly kingdom.  Amen.

Please visit scceast.org for more information.

Als Antwort Auf Gottes Ruf

As part of our ongoing observance of the 200th birthday of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, we continue to post excerpts of Als Antwort auf Gottes Ruf (Bonifatius, 2016), the history of the Sisters of Christian Charity since 1881, by Sister Anna Schwanz, SCC, translated by Sister Mary Perpetua Rehle, SCC.

North America

The Apostolate in schools, especially in parish schools, grew continuously.  In 1941, Sisters began teaching in the high schools in McSherrystown and Reading.  The Western Province accepted a new activity in a small school in Pewamo and in 1942 took over the local public school building.  The Sisters were also involved in additional activities, e.g., religious instruction in the so-called "Vacation Schools," where children from the countryside were unable to attend the parish schools because of distance, received instruction.

With the new structure of the Provinces, the Motherhouse acquired in Mendham, Villa Pauline, soon proved too small.  By 1930, the large number of new Candidates could no longer be accommodated. . . . "After careful consideration and much prayer" groundbreaking took place in September for a large new house on the same property.  After two years construction time Mallinckrodt Convent came into being. . . . The missions of the Eastern Province had contributed to the building cost to the best of their ability, and the neighboring Province, in true Christian Charity, had put a considerable sum of money at its disposal without interest. . . .
. . .
The Eastern Province saw the need for a further apostolate in health care.  Due to the war, the plans for the construction of a hospital in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, could not be carried out at first.  On the land which was purchased for this purpose in 1944, Divine Providence Hospital was opened in 1951.  A second hospital, Holy Spirit Hospital, in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, opened in 1963.