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.

Continued Expansion in America
South America

In South America, besides their activities in schools, especially colegios, both Provinces were very involved in care for the poor.  There was planned support of needy families by Sisters, pupils and alumnae "on the spiritual level by regular catechetical instruction and on the material, by providing daily bread and necessary clothing" . . . In 1952, the Sisters in Montevideo, Uruguay opened a Gratisschule, a free school.  At first a small house was used for 45 children in three classes.  By the end of the school year, the number had risen to 80 children and a new building was needed.  On a plot of donated land and, for the most part, financed by donations, a new school arose, which is still in existence today.  Escuela Madre Pauline was dedicated in 1953 and had a school population of 134 children.

Since the beginning of 1956, the Sisters have been visiting a poor section of Buenos Aires, gathering the children, giving religious instructions, distributing food and clothing, visiting the sick in their homes and "in every possible way helping the priests in their pastoral work."

Again and again the countries in South America suffered from natural catastrophes.  In San Bernardo in 1946, part of the Chilean Motherhouse was destroyed as a result of a chimney fire.  In July 1948, the hospital in Puerto Varas burned to the ground within three hours from an unknown cause.  One employee was killed, but the sick were all brought to safety.  A major flood was reported in Uruguay in 1959.  Two thirds of the country was submerged and suffered much damage. . . .

A severe earthquake, during which many of our houses were damaged or destroyed, shook all of southern Chile.  A further quake in May 1960 and its numerous aftershocks, which surpassed any previously recorded earthquakes in strength and duration, destroyed on third of the country.  All that survived the quake of 1939 was destroyed in this one. . . . The coastal area that was affected was about 560 miles long. . . . Immediately, relief activities began everywhere: collections of clothing, money, medicines, food, household items, etc. Pupils, alumnae, friends, acquaintances got involved.  The effort Help for Chile continued for weeks and months.  Most of the items were sent to the central locations, the Motherhouses, sorted, organized, packed and sent in huge shipments of 100-200 freight items. . . . In the Motherhouse in Paderborn the relief effort took on large proportions, because church and public organizations took part.  At this time, many of the Sisters in the Chilean Province were from Germany and a large number of them from the Archdiocese of Paderborn.  Thus, donations came from all sides.  Thanks to this generous and continued help, by late autumn 1961, heavy machinery of all kinds could be sent, so that the Sisters in Chile were able to help others in need.  Through the collection organized by the Archbishop, the contributions of the Caritas Society and gifts from various persons the most necessary repairs and also the reconstruction of the destroyed houses could begin.  An important reason for this readiness to help was evident from the letter that accompanied the contribution from the city of Paderborn: "This contribution should underscore the old bond between the city of Paderborn and its 'Liebesschwestern' and at the same time be a recognition of your loving response to the citizens of Paderborn after the bombing.  It was your Congregation, with the active support of your Chilean foundations, that offered so many people in Paderborn, who had lost home and hearth in the terrible events of the last war years, the necessary nourishment in your Community Kitchens.  Only this made it possible after 1945, for life to gradually return to Paderborn. . . ."