Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary

The Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary (Latin: Sorores of Charity of Jesus et Mariae, religious symbol: SCJM ) are a Roman Catholic religious order. It was founded on November 4, 1803 in Lovendegem (Belgium ) by Father Peter Joseph Triest ( 1760-1836 ).

History

Together with the later Mother Superior Placida OCist ( Maria -Theresia van der Gauwen 1807-1844 ) had begun pastor Trieste with a small group of women. My focus was on the care of orphaned children and young people, at the same time they also took over operations in the elderly. Trieste initially intended this women's initiative into the existing congregation " Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul " integrate, but this was no permit.

The Order of rules created based on the life and work of St.. Vincent de Paul. On July 2, 1804 they received permission to Episcopal Congregation law. The congregation moved in 1805 with six sisters to Ghent and was from then on its own habit. The advanced in the meantime, Vicar General of the diocese of Ghent Canon Peter Joseph Triest was appointed as Superior General for life by the Bishop of Ghent. The Decretum Laudis was on 29 September 1816 by Pope Leo XII. passed. On 26 June 1928, the Congregation received by Pope Pius XI. the papal approbation of the Congregation of Pontifical Right. The new work focus has now shifted to the care of mentally disabled people and the education of blind and deaf.

Organization

The women's order spread very quickly, there were offices in England (1888 ), Congo (1892 ) in Ceylon (1896 ) and India (1897 ) was founded. In addition to the nursing activities the sisters also took on missionary tasks. Today they Provinces in Europe (Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands ), Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Rwanda ) and Asia (India, Israel, Pakistan, Sri Lanka). In South America, they conduct a branch in Venezuela. In the post-conciliar period was determined that the congregation could choose its own Generalsuperiorin so that accounted for the appointment of a Superior General by the diocesan bishop. In the Order of Chapters 1964 and 1968, the Order of statutes were codified, revised and brought into line with the decisions of the Council of the 2nd Vatican Council.

As a result of these renovations mother André Avelin ( Antoinette Steverlinck ) was elected as the first Generalsuperiorin of the Order. In 2005, the Indian mother Valsala George Chennakadan was elected Generalsuperiorin. The Generalate has its headquarters in Brussels since 1968. In 2008, the congregation numbered 1324 members who are active in 177 houses and facilities.