On the feast day of the Immaculate Conception, Salvatorian Sisters celebrate 125 years of service
Colombo (AsiaNews) - The Sisters of the Divine Saviour serve in Sri Lanka and around the world in different capacities. Some are nurses or teachers; others are school administrators and catechists and much more.
Yesterday, the feast day of the Immaculate Conception, the congregation celebrated 125 years since its founding, and 60 years since the first Salvatorian Sisters arrived in the island formerly known as Ceylon.
Established on 8 December 1888 at the behest of Baroness Therese von Wüllenweber, the congregation's first leader was Fr Johann Baptist Jordan, founder of the Society of the Divine Saviour, also known as the Salvatorians.
The baroness, who took the veil as Mother Mary of the Apostles, was beatified by Pope Paul VI and 13 October 1968 he.
AsiaNews spoke of this important milestone with Sister Dulice Fernando SDS, provincial superior in Sri Lanka. The interview with Sister Dulice follows.
What is the theme of the 125th anniversary, and how do you feel about it?
The theme is 'Let us praise him for his goodness'. My heart is full of gratitude and joy, and I feel privileged to be able to lead the other Salvatorian sisters of Sri Lanka in this great event.
I must first of all say thanks to almighty God, and then to Mgr Edmund Pieris, Bishop of Chilaw, who on 24 February 1954 invited the Sisters of the Divine Saviour to bring the Charism and spirit of the congregation to this land.
This anniversary is special because it marks our 60 years of presence in Sri Lanka. It is a good time to remember our beginnings and reflect on renewal.
How many sisters are there in your congregation and in what dioceses do they serve?
We are 65 sisters and serve in the dioceses of Chilaw, Colombo, Kandy, Mannar, Kurunegala and Badulla. Our Charism is to know the one and true God and Jesus the Saviour every way and with any means possible. Hence, we serve as teachers, school administrators, nurses and catechists. We carry out pastoral activities for the elderly, children, women and migrants.
We are also working on the trafficking of women and on child abuse. For example, in Makandura, Ambanpola, Wijekatupotha and Bamunawela (Diocese of Kurunegala) we have nursing homes, whilst in Ampitiya, we have a training centre.
What are your main activities?
In addition to our traditional apostolate - health care, teaching, and pastoral care in parishes - we are involved in development work, integration of migrant women, separated families, victims of war and children marginalised by society. We also try to devote time and energy to issues such as peace and justice, working with other congregations and organisations. Some of the sisters teach in public and private schools; others work in clinics, orphanages and hospices.
What challenges has the congregation faced in its 125 years, in the world and in Sri Lanka?
As an international congregation, we have encountered many challenges related to our mission, to funding and membership. Speaking about the mission, our sisters work primarily with the poor and the marginalised. They are supported by other sisters in Europe and the United States.
At the moment we are facing a financial crunch. Our institutions - schools, hospitals and homes for the elderly - have had to close or momentarily suspend their activities due to high costs. It is especially in Europe that we have had to give up most of our facilities. We are also facing a drop in vocations.
During natural disasters (tsunami, cyclones), we have always been there, supporting the population with a variety of activities. Even during the recent civil war, we were involved in various places. The result of all this is a children's home, which now houses 20 girls between 6 and 14 years, whom we care for. We also help families, especially war widows.
And what about the results?
We have tried to give a more professional and broader education to our sisters, in the theological and social fields. Some hold positions of leadership and know how to respond to the signs of the times. We also plan to organise some study groups to discuss our future plans.
How did you help the population after the war?
During the war, our sisters often went to visit the people and comfort them in many ways. We were not scared. In the final stages of the war, some of us went to Vavunia to offer our services to the local population. Given the condition in which they found many children, we decided to open a hostel for them. Many have lived there with us, and when it was time for them to create their own family, we encouraged them. Now we take care of 18 children, and keep in touch with their parents to give support and help.
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