Acceptance of Activities in Response to the Needs of the Times
Years Immediately After the War
Given the general emergency during the first years after the war, the Sisters considered it their main apostolate to help wherever they were needed and were able to assist. The primary concern was for those who had lost all through the bombing, evacuees, displaced persons, refugees and people returning home. Even though they themselves were living in cramped quarters, they moved closer together to be able to offer others refuge and help. Immediately after the war, empty classrooms in the missions became shelters for refugees.
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During the Jubilee Year 1949, the Motherhouse had a special task: helping with the "Heimkehrzüge" (trains which, for the most part, transported soldiers who were finally returning home after being prisoners of war). From March until the end of the year there were 230 trains carrying about 160,000 persons. Repeatedly, there were also women, children and young people among them, most of them in terrible health. Due to the change of locomotives, they had a longer layover in Paderborn. Soon the custom developed of welcoming each such train festively. Cities and communities near and far took turns preparing for their so-called "Patenzug" (the train for which they were "godparents") and donated food and refreshments. The Sisters were always able to help with the preparation and distribution.
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