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"Do your duty faithfully, be obedient, bear suffering, toil and privations willingly for the love of God and your sublime vocation." |
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| - Mother Bernarda |
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Short History |
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| In every age and in times of great need God raises men and women with prophetic Charism, who under the guidance of His Holy Spirit carry out a particular Mission in the world. The Founding of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross too occurred in the year 1844 in a small village called Menzingen in Switzerland, to meet a particular need of that time. |
| Fr. Theodosius Florentini, an indefatigable and far-seeing Capuchin recognized in the highly anti-christian, radically rationalistic and totally demoralized society of his time, a deeply spiritual and moral need that had to be dealt with in a Christian spirit. The gap between the Christian faith and the intensively materialistic philosophy and life-style of his society troubled his very soul. |
| The “Need of the time” was for him the Call and Will of God, meaning that a vital need, the essence of human being was at stake. He envisaged a society with more humanness and justice according to the Gospel. His vision about the Mission of the Church and Religious life came up with a paradigm-shift, “go-to-the people church” rather than “come-to-us church.” The Religious, he believed, are called to serve the people and to show them new directions in spiritual, educational, and social spheres. This inner conviction made him to develop an all embracing and far-reaching ‘vision of Healing’ the society through Gospel values. |
| With this in mind Fr.Theodosius wanted to found a Congregation of religious women, which would function according to the needs of the time and places. He wanted the structure of his new congregation in such a way that its members would fit every circumstances of life. |
| In Maria Anna heimgartner, (later Mother Bernarda Heimgartner and the Co-Foundress) a prudent young woman, sincere and direct in her dealings, calm and resolute in her aims, understanding and considerate, Fr. Theodosius recognized the qualities of a religious who was capable of helping the young, especially the feminine youth and the poor by imparting Christian values and convictions. |
| The Sisters of the Holy Cross honour Fr. Theodosius Florentini OFM Cap. (1808 – 1865) and Mother Bernarda Heimgartner (1822 – 1863) as Founder and Co-Foundress of our Congregation. |
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