Sep 16, 2021 | NEWS
Four years ago, our sister Bernadette made the decision to move from our Congregation to Carmelites to continue her path of dedication to God in an enclosure. The time of trial in Carmel in Częstochowa lasted for four years, during this period Sister Bernadette tried to discover in the new reality how God really wants to lead her through life. It was also the time needed for the new community to look at the candidate and her calling to live in the cloister, to decide to adopt forever to their enclosure. On September 4, 2021, the solemn vows of Sister Bernadette of Jesus took place, with which she confirmed her choice to live with Jesus as an enclosed Carmelite sister forever. Sister Bernadette lived, worked and prayed for many years as Sister of Mary Immaculate, and as she says our Congregation and our sisters will remain in her heart and prayers forever. We are glad that we have a (spiritually) Carmelite sister who supports us with prayers from outside the enclosure. We wish her that she will find her greatest happiness in Jesus and in the place where she is. We remain in prayer with her.
Sisters of Mary Immaculate
Sep 16, 2021 | NEWS
At the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki, on September 3, there was a night vigil for the people involved in the activities and mission of the “Bakhita” association.
#Bakhita network is an inter-religious cooperation and support section established to combat and prevent trafficking in human beings and to assist victims of this trafficking. Members of the nationwide Bakhita Network are people belonging to various religious congregations, associations, as well as lay people dedicated to this cause. Among them there are people directly working with victims of human trafficking, working in various types of aid institutions and people involved in the broadly understood prevention and educational and preventive activities. From the very beginning of this initiative, the sisters of our Congregation, who also influenced the creation of this work, have been participating in it.
The theme of the vigil was: “MERCY GIVES LIFE”.
During the Eucharist, Bishop Grzegorz Ryś, who said that: “Forgiveness is not forgetting … Forgiveness is a decision … We forgive a person when we try to heal him … a form of treatment is that Jesus and His disciples sit with the tax collector at the table … It’s some kind of communion and that’s what heals. Forgiveness is something that must involve you and that comes with a relationship, with some real encounter … ”
There were moving testimonies of people who experienced the healing power of Divine Mercy – glory to the Lord ❣❣❣ and the conference of Dr. Fr. Krzysztof Matuszewski – “The Miracle of Forgiveness” 👍❤
The “Gospel Sound” choir and the band “Sister Anna and Friends” with a beautiful singing and music enriched the entire night of prayer – thank you 🙏❤
Everything is available at the link:
https: //m.facebook.com /…/ A.49887757 … / 49887758345860 /
Sep 11, 2021 | NEWS
Psalm 90 says:
“Our life is 70 years
and when we are healthy it’s 80. ”
and sometimes there are even more …
so it is
with our prayerful woman
Sister Modesta,
because on August 24, 2021
we celebrated her 95th birthday.
And … in a proverb it says:
“You should always celebrate the festivities as they come.
Who knows exactly
when the opportunity arises again. ”
Yes – and so it was a nice occasion to invite the sisters from Treis Karden to join us.
They were also happy to come.
As always, we first met in our chapel for a little impulse from Jörg Zink.
Lord of my hours and my years.
You gave me a lot of time.
It’s behind me and it’s in front of me.
it was mine and it will be mine
and I got it from you.
I thank you for every stroke of the clock and for every morning that I see.
I am not asking you to give me more time.
But I ask you for a lot of serenity to fill ,
every hour with your thoughts on me
I ask you to take care not to kill my time
do not drive away, do not spoil.
You bless my day
We thanked God for the life of our sister Modesta.
She was able to experience a lot and it was often a very difficult time –
but she always and in every situation entrusted herself to God and, as she said, “No matter how bad it could be – I have always been able to rely on God. He never left me alone. ”
One of her favorite songs is:
“Whoever believes is never alone….
Whoever believes is never alone! You, Lord, will be with us
with your power that creates life.
Whoever believes is never alone.
You are Jesus, the Son of God, you are close to all people.
You invite us to friendship
You want life to be in abundance to us in time and eternity.
You called Peter, your disciple, a rock that carries us:
As a fisherman, as a herdsman, bring together what goes astray,
in time and eternity!
You give people who follow you on your path, what is called love.
Stay with us with your spirit, future and hope he promises us
in time and eternity!
You are hope for all people on the streets of this world.
Give peace and unity!
Give us the truth that will set us free in time and eternity!
You are Christ, door to life, you give everything, you take nothing.
Love is your power.
Remain, Lord, with us day and night in time and eternity!
“Whoever believes is never alone….
Of course we then also listened to this song together.
Then there was coffee, cake, sandwiches and good conversation in the refectory.
Well and an addition – there had to be a surprise too….
As agreed – after a while there was a knock on our door and when I opened it, two employees were standing with the ice cream truck and wanted to serve us.
They were of course greeted with strong applause and then each sister could choose which ice cream she would like to have …
with hot cherry, eggnog, chocolate sauce – or … or … ..
Yes, this surprise really worked
and it wasn’t the only one –
Sister Modesta was really happy about the post from the generalate, the post from the provincial superior and the mayor of the association and city, and the congratulations from the senior citizen center with a very beautiful bouquet of flowers that the home manager and the nursing manager personally presented.
Many thanks to everyone – for that !!!
YES, we are grateful that the oldest sister from the German Province lives with us here in our convent on the Klosterberg.
May God reward her for all the good she has done in our congregation and the many people she has met
and give her a new blessing every day.
Sister M. Felicitas
Sep 7, 2021 | NEWS
We have any reason to thank God for the gift of life and the divine calling. It is truly to thank God for continuing to receive sacred vocations in our Congregation especially in our Region of Tanzania. The scriptures tell us that; the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few, so we ask the Lord of the harvest to send many labourers into his field. Encouraged by these words of comfort we have any reason to thank God for having a new vocation in our Congregation especially in our Tanzanian Region.
In this year we are so happy to have 5 new Sisters of first Profession which held on 28.08.2021 in our Chikukwe Community. We thank God for that gift.
Also we thanking God for having 5 Novices in the same day; and on 29.08.2021 they entered 7 Postulant. What more can we say than to give thanks to God for His goodness that He gives us every day. As we continue to thank God for the gift of our vocation we are proud that those who are called continue to glorify God for their lives within the Congregation. It seems is the good sign of life in our Region by having a new vocation is like a child now the Region are growing and widening daily. Let us joined together to thank God for having 2 sisters on 28.08.2021, who fulfilled the 25º Jubilee of their religious vows. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
We commend them all and pray for God’s grace so that they may continue to love God more and give a better witness of their religious life.
From Region office,
Sr. Agnes Mwanajimba
Aug 20, 2021 | NEWS
and I was there …
how did that happen?
Five years ago I took part in a retreat in Maria Laach and then I saw the appeal for donations for the Roma camp in Slovakia by P. Basilius. Among other things, I read – that mattresses are needed and I became aware … because it was precisely at this time that the mattresses had to be replaced in our senior citizen center in Cochem – “only – because they no longer corresponded” to the norm – therefore they should be disposed of. But they were rescued and taken into the camp.
Yes, that was my first contact with this project and I was and still am thrilled with the commitment – the Benedictines, especially Father Basilius, campaigned for this cause. It was clear to me from the start that we, the Sisters of Mary, would like to support that. I got more information so I could get in here
Tell about it in our house, in the women’s community and with my friends.
At our Advent, Spring and Autumn Bazaars and all the other events in the house, there was always a stand – with a wide variety of things. The proceeds were then intended for “my Rome children”.
Of course, this further strengthened the connection and every time a transport was planned, I started a call on site and I am overwhelmed by how donation-happy the employees and the Cochemers are. So we can do something for these people in our prosperity.
After each tour everything was reported in detail and it became clear to me – I have to go there too.
I had already planned to be there for the summer tour last year … but … Corona thwarted my planning, also in autumn.
But now the time had come…. Mr. Lingenthal informed me in June that a trip is planned for the end of July. Of course I was enthusiastic about it and even more – that Father Basilius is going with me.
But I had to do a lot for my absence in my convent with my fellow sisters who had grown old plan – and organize – because they cannot be alone.
But I thought … if it should be that I should go with you – this cannot be a problem and so it was. A co-sister came to represent and started on July 27th.
Arrived in Maria Laach, the Cologne runabout was already in front of the camp and it was already invited.
After P. Basilius
The travel prayer and travel blessing had given – our journey – which was so professionally planned and prepared by Mr. Michael Lingenthal – started.
I was just curious what to expect…. the long drive, the border controls, vaccination control … .. traffic jam … etc.
We were all surprised that there were no complications on the whole trip (there and back).
After an overnight stay at the Inn – there was a meeting with the ambassador in Bratislava.
Yes, and on July 29th we got closer and closer to our goal and the tension increased.
In the communication center of Caritas we were expected and welcomed happily by the team of employees and the children.
After unloading, there was a little candy for the hard-working helpers and only bright children’s eyes.
The children soon went home.
In the evening we met with the staff there in the center, talked and of course ate together. Mr. Rado was the interpreter – not just me but everyone felt comfortable – you could feel it.
The next day our ways parted – because Mr. Lingenthal and Mr. Rado had a conversation with the mayor in Secovce.
Father Basilius and I were picked up by Sister Bernadetta (Redeemer Sisters) and the interpreter, Mrs. Kristina, in Trebisov – we were with the mayor there – Sister Bernadetta knows well and is very Rome-friendly.
After this meeting we went to Sister Bernadetta’s convent – something completely new for me, because the 3 sisters do not live in a convent – but in a prefabricated building on the 5th floor.
The hospitality with them could be felt immediately – because it smelled of fresh cake, which was then served immediately.
It was a very good atmosphere – we couldn’t speak Slovenian and the sisters couldn’t speak German – but we still got on very well.
Sister Bernadetta then showed us briefly the Rome camp in which she works.
For lunch we went back to the Caritas center.
Soon the children came and the bathing fun began for them.
Very disciplined and happy children
That afternoon we also went to the camp on site. Some children have accompanied us because they live there with their families.
On the way there I became very different,
because something like that –
in my whole life I have
not seen yet
For me they were decisive encounters –
with this poverty and the people.
I imagined the situation there was bad
but the reality was much more extreme –
you can’t imagine it …
you have to see it …
I am very happy that I was able to take the opportunity and ride with them.
Yes, I have been newly motivated to be grateful myself and I will continue to contribute to these people in the future –
even if it is only :
A drop in the bucket is up.
It is worth it….!!!!
I would like to take this opportunity to express my special thanks
To the wonderful tour company –
Father Basilius, Michael Lingenthal
And all the many, who accompanied us with their prayers.
Thank you very much !!!
Sister M. Felicitas
(from Cochem)
Aug 15, 2021 | FORUM, NEWS
I would like to share a story that happened while I was working in a hospital in Naples. I will start my story with how it happened that I became a nurse, went to Italy and at a miracle in the hospital ward.
I entered the Congregation when I was 20 years old. I started my candidacy. I remember very well one of the first words that Mother superior (Mother General representative in Poland) said to me then: “The candidate will be a nurse”. These words were very memorable to me, but with time I had to forget about them…. but Mother superior did not forget them.
I started my novitiate. We had various lectures during this time. There was also one sister from Katowice (I don’t remember her name) who taught us how to give injections and how to perform basic nursing activities for the sick.
When I was in the second year of the novitiate, we were informed that the sisters were to be transported to Otorów near Szamotuły, to a labor camp. I remember when Mother superior made the decision to strip the novices from their sisters in order to protect them from deportation. They were to take their personal belongings to their family homes. I was also supposed to pack my things, take them to my family home and come in secular clothes to the sisters’ community in Nysa. And so I did.
The sisters in Nysa welcomed me kindly. Soon they put me in the habit that was left by my deceased sister. Although it did not fit me and was too big for me, I was happy to be able to wear it again. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy it for long, because soon at the gate, someone dropped us a letter informing us that they wanted to take us to a labor camp, so they ordered me to undress again. It must have happened about three times when they dressed and undressed me like this, but I knew it was the only way to save me from deportation.
Herezwit’s sister was in Nysa, she ran a tailoring course for girls. Since I was already studying sewing as a teenager in business school, I started helping her learn sewing. After a year in Nysa, Mother superior “remembered” what she told me when I was a candidate and that is why she moved me to Jaszkotle. There, in addition to working in the house, I visted the sick in the villages and gave them injections. I went from Jaszkotle to a nursing school in Warsaw for two years. After graduating from school, she returned to Jaszkotle. Then I was transferred to Ścinawa, where the sisters worked in the Health Center: in the delivery room, in the vaccination center and in the surgery room. There I was supposed to be a superior. I remember how I felt sorry to leave Jaszkotle and when we got off the train with my sister Helena, who was taking me away, she noticed that I was sad because I was going into the unknown, I did not know who I was going to work with. She started showing me the advantages of this place, saying: “look how nice it is here, the stream flows here, the birds sing so nicely” and then I replied: “but it’s so strange”. But God was with me. I started working at a vaccination point and traveled to the villages to visit sick people. There were 15 villages to handle. I worked there for 10 years.
- To this day, I can hear the ringing of the telephone and a voice in the receiver that says: “Sister Vincentia, you will go to Italy. Get ready and quickly because the director of the hospital wants one sister to come to work in the hospital ward ”. I must admit that I felt sorry to leave because I got close to my sisters and people. After all, I didn’t know Italian and I was going again into the unknown.
As I have already mentioned, I came to Naples without knowing the Italian language. I started working in a hospital, people welcomed me very kindly. They supported me not to worry about the language, but to learn patiently, at least two words a day and in some time I will be speaking perfectly. And so I did. Despite the unfamiliarity with the language, I started working in the ward right away and only thanks to God’s care and help I did not make any mistakes.
People from the hospital liked to work with us – sisters, they made us feel it more than once. They trusted us. They confided in us with their various family and marriage problems, and we gave all these matters to God in prayer.
During my work in the hospital, a miracle happened that I would like to tell you about.
One day, in the ward where I was working, there was a woman who gave birth to a baby boy. After giving birth, her health began to deteriorate. She had the so-called eclampsia (this is eclampsia that occurs as seizures or loss of consciousness in pregnant or postnatal women). This condition lasted for two weeks, she felt into a coma, she did not react to anything. Doctors did not give her a chance to survive. I felt very sorry for this woman, she had just given birth to her first child and was going to die soon. Every day she was visited by a midwife who performed nursing activities for her. One day I met her in this lady’s room. I asked “will this patient really die?” She replied that “there is no salvation for her anymore.” Then I told the midwife that I had the oil from the wonderful place of Saint Anastasia with the painting of Our Lady dell’Arco, and I wanted to anoint the patient with it. (Let me just mention that the Dominican fathers who look after this sanctuary on the day of the indulgence always bless the oils that people can take away.)
I also proposed a joint prayer for: either God give her a peaceful death or restore her health. She responded to it willingly. I remember how I knelt on one side of the bed and the midwife on the other. And just as it is done in the anointing of the sick, I made this sick woman a cross with this oil on the forehead, on the hands and on the feet.
Our prayer did not last long. After a while the lady opened her eyes and sat down on the bed. We cried out. After a few days, she returned home with the baby.
Our Lady saved her!
It was one of the most moving events that I experienced in my 21 years working in a Neapolitan hospital. I remember that time very well and with great sentiment.
S.M. Vincencia Wróbel
* * *
The beginning of the cult of the Virgin Mary with the title of Madonna dell’Arco is associated with the episode that took place on April 6, 1450, on Easter Monday, in Saint Anastasia (today in the Province of Naples).
At the edge of the field, there was a chapel with a painting (hence the names Madonna dell’Arco and Pomigliano d’Arco) under the arch of the aqueduct, with a painting of our Lady with Baby Jesus.
During a village festival, young men played “palla a maglio” (ball with a hammer) on the field. The game consisted in hitting a wooden ball with a hammer, the one who made the ball fly further won. One of them missed and lost the game, so the ball hit the linden tree, whose branches partially obscured the wall covered with the image of our Lady with the Baby Jesus. The loser in a fit of anger, picked up the ball and, cursing, threw it violently at the sacred image, hitting it on the left cheek, which began to bleed as if it were a living body. The news of the miracle quickly spread across the country, reaching Count Sarno, a local nobleman, the Great Executioner of the Kingdom of Naples. He released the young man, but after observing the miracle and carrying out a shortened trial, he sentenced him to be hanged, on the same July that sheltered the image of the Mother of God. After twenty-four hours, the tree was withered
These miraculous events sparked the cult of the Madonna dell’Arco, which immediately spread throughout southern Italy. Crowds of believers poured into the miracle site, so it was necessary to build a small church out of the offers received to protect the holy image from the elements.
http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/91177
https://www.fanpage.it/napoli/la-storia-della-madonna-dellarco-e-dei-suoi-miracoli/
