The Context:
Children and Orphans in very difficult circumstances in the city of Münster. A sensitive heart of a young priest. Young women, who were willing to care for these children. Belief in Divine Providence. A small house that was found with the help of friendly people. This is the scenario!
The foundation and development:
The founding of the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence, on November 3, 1842 was an answer of faith to a specific need of the time of our founder, Eduard Michelis.
175 years have passed since then! New faces, new realities, new appeals worldwide! Faith and love that are constantly renewed!
An anniversary year:
There are many reasons to celebrate! We are witnessing a Jubilee year of Mercy of the Sisters of Divine Providence in Germany, in the Netherlands, in Malawi and Mozambique, in Indonesia and West Timor, in Aruba, in Brazil, in Bolivia and in Paraguay! "Be merciful as God's Providence" - this is the theme. With the help of the biblical text of the "searching woman" (Lk 15.8-10), who accompanied us in four stages throughout the year: 1) kindle a light, accept the light, be light; 2) tireless searching, sweeping the House; 3) search, find, gather; 4) call together, celebrate, rejoice.
The celebration:
To celebrate the zenith of our anniversary, representatives of all Provinces and Regions are gathered in Münster to discuss the experiences of this ‘Jubilee year of Mercy’ and to visit important places that relate to our founder and the history of the Congregation.
Thereafter, the group travels to Rome and Assisi to thank God and to express their Communio with the Church.