Mechernich - The Mother Superior General of the Samaritan Sisters, who have been living and working in the social centres of the Communio in Christo in Mechernich and Blankenheim for almost 15 years, visited the motherhouse of the Ordo Communionis in Christo in Mechernich. Together with Rev. Sr Alphonsa, Superior General Jaison Thazhathil also welcomed her counsellor, Rev. Sr Rose Mary.
The two leading Indian sisters gained an impression of the work of their sisters in long-term care and hospice and of the consistently good and harmonious coexistence with the community of the Communio in the Mechernich motherhouse. ‘It is certainly not an everyday environment for the sisters, but an extraordinary one,’ writes the Superior General.
450 sisters in 76 locations
The visit by Mother Superior Sr Alphonsa was part of her canonical visitation. The congregation has a total of 450 sisters in 76 convents worldwide, including four in Germany. The congregation runs over 60 facilities, including hospitals, homes for the elderly and special schools for children with disabilities, e.g. for mentally handicapped, deaf or mute children.
‘The aim of their visit to Mechernich was to gain a deeper understanding of the working and living conditions of the sisters, who have dedicated their lives to serving in communion,’ says Father Jaison Thazhathil. This also requires spiritual tolerance and adaptability on all sides. Three Catholic rites live and pray together in the Mechernich motherhouse of Communio in Christo: Roman Catholics, Syro-Malankar Catholics and Syro-Malambari Catholics.
‘The presence of the Indian religious sisters in the Communio in Christo has now reached a significant milestone,’ writes Superior General Jaison Thazhathil: "They celebrated their 15th anniversary at the Communio in February. What began with just two sisters, Sr Little Flower and Sr Jasmin, has grown into a vibrant community of six Samaritan Sisters, each playing an indispensable role in providing compassionate care in Communio's long-term care, hospice and elderly care home ‘Haus Effata’."
Mechernich is now the largest of the Samaritan Sisters' four branches in Germany: ‘A cornerstone of care and support for the most vulnerable members of society,’ says Father Jaison. After a meeting with her sisters and a visit to the various facilities of the Communio in Christo, Superior General Sr Alphonsa expressed her deep pride and admiration for the work that has been done.
She said: "I am incredibly proud of them. They truly embody the spirituality of the Good Samaritan, the foundation on which our Congregation is built." During her five-day visit, Sr Alphonsa had the opportunity to visit all the facilities of Communio in Christo, including the administration.
The spirit of a common mission
She thanked the community wholeheartedly for their unwavering support of the sisters, making them feel welcome and at home as they carry out their ministry with dignity and compassion.
Concluding her visit, Sr Alphonsa said that she was warmly welcomed by all and felt a real sense of belonging within the Communio community. She praised the unique dynamics of the institution, where the collaboration between laity, religious sisters and priests fostered a strong spirit of unity and shared mission.
Superior General Jaison Thazhathil, his deputy Deacon Manfred Lang and Spiritual Director Father Rudolf Ammann ISch also expressed their sincere appreciation for the dedicated presence of the Samaritan Sisters in their medical and nursing facilities. Sonja Plönnes, director of the Communio social welfare organisation, and Norbert Arnold, managing director, were also full of praise for the work of the Indian sisters.
The Superior General of the Communio, Father Jaison Thazhathil, praised the tireless commitment of the Samaritan Sisters, which inspires and builds up the entire Communio community and makes it a true place of healing and spiritual growth.
‘Superior General Sr Alphonsa and Sr Rose Mary were deeply touched by the charism of love of our foundress Mother Marie Therese,’ explained Communio Sister Lidwina: "They discovered the points of contact with their own founder Monsignor Paul Chittilapilly. Sr Alphonsa expressed that she trusted in Mother Marie Therese's intercession with God."
The morning meditations from ‘Following Christ as a Rule’ and Mother Marie Therese's last book, ‘I beseech you, O Holy Church’, had touched the Superior General so much that she asked for a copy of each in English.
pp/Agentur ProfiPress
