The Congregation celebrates their 140th anniversary with a Eucharistic celebration at the headquarters of the Latin Patriarchate in Nazareth. [Video concludes this post.]
(CMC) One hundred and forty years ago, a special mission focused on caring for families began in this church.
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth was founded in Rome in 1875 by Franciszka Siedliska, who today is known as Blessed Mary of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Born into a noble Polish family who was indifferent to religion, Franciszka experienced a conversion and felt God’s call to start a congregation that would promote spirituality and care for families.
Sister SPERANZA GRZEBIELEC
Superior Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth – Nazareth / Israel
“She was a woman who wanted to find out what God wanted of her and what God wanted of the congregation. She always said to the sisters: ‘we have to go wherever the Church calls us.’”
Today, the sisters live and serve in 170 communities that are scattered throughout thirteen countries on five continents. In the Holy Land, they are present in Nazareth and Haifa, where they work aid to the local Church and where they assist with education through a school. In addition to their work, prayer is part of the sisters’ daily life.
Sister SPERANZA GRZEBIELEC
Superior Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth – Nazareth / Israel
“Wherever we are in 13 countries, each sister prays for families every day. We can say that this is our mission: no matter what we do—since we all do different jobs—every day we pray for families.”
In Nazareth, a mass was celebrated at the headquarters of the Latin Patriarchate in the presence of religious communities from the Holy Land.
H.E. Mons. GIACINTO-BOULOS MARCUZZO
Auxiliary Bishop and Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem for Israel
“The founder provided an excellent example of mercy and of the consecrated life. Today the sisters in our country—here in Nazareth, in Haifa, in the Holy Land—are continuing this mission to be a witness to love, mercy and consecrated life.”
The congregation includes ten religious who were beatified in 2000 by Pope John Paul II. During World War II, they were martyred for giving up their lives in exchange for the release of people who had families.
Sister SPERANZA GRZEBIELEC
Superior Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth – Nazareth / Israel
“Before they died, they prayed: My God, if the sacrifice of our lives is necessary, we ask to be executed in the place of those who have families.” They were an example of people who gave their lives to save families.”
Even after 140 years, the mission founded by Blessed Mary of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, continues to support families through the gift of life and prayer.