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History |
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The first statistics gathered in 1852 showed 142 houses - 73 in France and 1221 Sisters - 876 in France. As the years passed by the proportions became somewhat inverse as novitiates were opened in the young christian countries. In 2006, 92 of the 423 houses of the Congregation were in 9 European countries (43 in France), 126 in Asia (India, Nepal and the Philippines), 107 in Africa and the Indian ocean, 98 in America and oceania. There were 21 novitiates (4 in India) for the formation of candidates. Several of these novitiates, especially in Africa and Oceania, receive young women from other countries. During the 200 years since the foundation of the congregation, on 12 May 1807, there have been no lack of trials. Epidemics of deadly yellow fever in Africa, hurricanes and the volcanic eruption which killed 36 Sisters in Martinique, expulsion of the missionary Sisters from Martinique and later from Guinea, the French laicisation laws which caused vocations to plunge in the 144 houses in France and the 137 in the colonies from which religious were banned, revolutions in Portugal and Spain, wars in several countries, unrest in Europe in 1968, lack of vocations and aging of Sisters in the rich countries…. The list could go on and on!
And
yet in this bicentenary year we have so many reasons to be
thankful: the The Mother House where Mother Javouhey spent the last months of her earthly life, is, according to our Constitutions, "the centre of animation and co-ordination, a place of meeting and renewal, the sign of unity," the new means of communication facilitate relations between the Sisters, between the Mother House and the provinces and vice versa, for exchange of information, sessions, trips to the sources. Meetings of provincials, teachers etc have been held elsewhere than in France : Trinidad, West Indies, Peru, India….. The use of simultaneous translation has broken down the language barriers. Under all skies the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluny seek to live according to the spirit of Anne Marie Javouhey and it is this that keeps them united and dynamic in the service of the universal mission of the Church. "Of all races, tongues and peoples, with one heart and one soul " with esteem and love for their Foundress, "they continue, in the Church, the work which the Lord confided to her."
Information | © Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny - 2007 | Contact |
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