Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration

The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration to Olpe are a Catholic woman Congregation, which was built in 1863 under the leadership of Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel Olpe in the Sauerland. The main responsibilities of the sisters are taking care of children and nursing.

History

As founder of the Mother House in Olpe mother Maria Theresia is worshiped. You whose real name was Wilhelmine ( called Aline ) Bonzel ( born September 17, 1830 † February 6, 1905 ) and came from a long-established Olper merchant family. She tried to follow the Franciscan ideal since early youth, in 1850 she became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis. In 1859 she began in Olpe a life in communion with Clara pledges and Regina Loeser. First, under the direction of Clara pledges was the common intention of founding a new congregation. On October 30, 1860, Paderborn, Bishop Konrad Martin confirmed the Convention under the name " Sisters of St. Francis, Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary ". On 20 December 1860, the investiture of the first nine sisters, six choir sisters and three lay sisters in the Olper St. Martin's Church took place. From December 21, 1860, the perpetual adoration in the Community ( Holy Mass ) was applied, whereby the constant presence of Christ should be highlighted in the spirituality of the Sisters. On 31 July 1861, the move was followed by the so-called Weber's house. A significant structural change took place on March 19, 1863: Sister Clara pawns moved their mother house in Salzkotten, where from now on 14 sisters and 15 postulants were doing their service. The perpetual adoration should be from now on in Salzkotten. However, the eternal worship was reintroduced in the monastery to Olpe Olpe at the request of citizens. Olpe remained - now the responsibility of Mother Maria Theresia - first a branch monastery. But took place on July 20, 1863, the church confirmation of independence by the Paderborn Bishop Konrad Martin. Thus, this day is considered the official founding date of the independent convent. Also the monastery ten sisters were allocated. Officially adopted mother Maria Theresa on August 3, 1863, the line in Olpe. The name of the Einrichtung'änderte also, he was now "Poor Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration ."

The community spread quickly after difficult early years and counting in the 1860s, more than 2,300 members in four provinces. Mother Maria Theresa led the community until her death in 1905, at that time there were more than 1,500 sisters. The remit included from the outset youth education, health and elderly care. For example, the girls' school Jülich was built in 1891.

During the time of the Kulturkampf the work of the sisters was banned in schools, only the nursing was allowed. In 1875 the admission of new members was prohibited. The sisters therefore searched for new fields in North America, where they established many branches since 1875, for example, in Lafayette ( Indiana). In the 20th century the Sisters spread their activity also in New Mexico, where they work with indigenous peoples.

1902, the financial basis of the Community Housing has been with the foundation of today's " Charitable Society of the Franciscan Sisters at Olpe " ( GFO ) backed up.

In World War I worked for a large part of the German sisters in hospitals. During the period of National Socialism, the sisters were again dismissed from schools and forced into labor service. In addition, many homes were confiscated. In the 1960s, followed by a new period of prosperity. Since 1961, the community is a " Congregation of Pontifical Right ", which facilitates the management of the international community.

In 1966, the parent company ( Generalate ) was rebuilt with novitiate, a retreat house and guest house on the mountain Kimicker in Olpe, architect of the spacious new building was Hans Schilling. Today there are about 650 sisters who are active in Germany, North America, the Philippines and Brazil. The Provincial Council of the German Province is located in Cologne. Provincial Superior since 2006, sister Alexa Weismüller, which was confirmed on June 14, 2010 for another four years in office.

The ongoing since 1961 beatification process of Mother Foundress Maria Theresa was completed on 28 March 2013. The solemn beatification took place on November 10, 2013 in the Great Cathedral in Paderborn.

Facilities

For GFO ( " Charitable Society of the Franciscan Sisters at Olpe mbH " ) is, among others, the first children's hospice in Germany, " Balthasar ". It also includes twelve hospitals, several nursing homes and service residential facilities, child and youth welfare institutions such as the special education children's home " Joseph House ", the mother-child home Aline, kindergartens, a high school as well as " updraft " as a youth and family counseling services.

Overall, the GFO has about 40 facilities with more than 8,000 employees.