September 22, 2024: Today was a day of thanksgiving.
At 2 p.m., the capitulars, Sisters, and guests gathered for Mass in the Motherhouse Church. Father Michael pointed out that the word “Eucarist” actually means “thanksgiving”, and summarized the chapter with a quote from St. Matthew:
When two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them.
After church, everybody was invited to the Motherhouse for coffee and cake – a great opportunity to exchange thoughts and insights of the past few weeks.
Today was also the last of the Masses that were celebrated for the intention of the Chapter in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi – a gift from the Indian Province. This daily spiritual support has been a guiding light since the Chapter opened.
Throughout the Chapter, the capitulars enjoyed gifts from the different countries – each in its unique way was a blessing to all. The gifts provided food for the body, mind, and soul and also served in very practical ways. Everybody loved the sweets from the German and Polish provinces, and was delighted to receive a special ballpoint pen from Japan and a sewing case from Poland.
Prayers were also offered today in thanksgiving for the Borromeaum staff whose hospitality and care was indeed Franciscan.
September 21, 2024: Towards the end of the General Chapter, some of the Capitulars shared their personal thoughts and insights of the past three weeks.
Sister M. Hiltrud Vacker from the German Province appreciated that the Capitulars from around the world came together for a time of discussions and discernment, paving the way to the future of the international Congregation.
Sister M. Franciszka Wanat from the Polish Province expresses her gratitude with feelings of peace, hope, faith and love, and shares the Franciscan greeting of “Pace e bene”.
With great joy and Franciscan happiness, Sister MaryAnn Falbe from the U.S. Canonical House will return home, assured that the Sisters have many to journey with them into the future.
The youngest of the Capitualars, Vietnamese Sister M. Nichola Truong Thie Hoang Oanh from the Japan Province, feels honored to have been part of the international General Chapter, and appreciates the multicultural experience.
Sister M. Cecilia from the Indian Province shared a motto to inspire each Sister:
Let our smile be our logo. Let our personality be our business card, and let the way we make others feel be our trademark.
The statements are presented in the following video.
September 20, 2024: Today, the 21st General Chapter was officially closed. After final discussions, the Closing Document was read, and the capitulars and guests signed the document that will guide the General Council for the next six years.
The Capitulars shared their gratitude for the intercultural experience during the Chapter. The young Sisters, who were guests, were especially grateful because the charism was brought to life. The chance to participate was a spiritual and personal opportunity.
In her closing remarks, Sister Margarete acknowledged everyone’s contribution to the Chapter. She thanked the Sisters for their openness and vision and quoted the Lenten Homily 2024 of Bishop Dr. Felix Genn, who had referred to this passage from Proverbs 4:23:
With all vigilance, guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life.
September 18, 2024: At Mass this morning, music and prayers were shared by the Sisters of the German Province. In his homily, Father Michael spoke of the importance of acceptance and forgiveness.
Conducting the General Chapter is a team effort. For many years, Professor Dr. Margret Nemann and Cathedral Provost Father Hans-Bernd Koeppen have been working with the Generalate as facilitators and moderators. Professor Father Dr. Dr. Michael Plattig O.Carm. serves as the Spiritual Director for the Generalate and the Chapter.
This Chapter also includes several guests. Young Sisters from the Polish, Japan, and Indian Provinces attend, along with the Motherhouse IT team, and the secretaries from the German Province and the Generalate, Mechthild Decker, Birgit Reinermann and Hildegard Benoelken. For the first time, employees who are not vowed religious also participate: Prof. Dr. Michael Moellmann, from the Generalate Board of Directors, Martin Krawinkel, Finance Director, and the media team: Claudia Berghorn/ Generalate, Brian Blasco/ U.S. Canonical House, and Michael Kestin/ photographer.
September 16, 2024: Today was the opening of the Chapter of Affairs. This week, the Sisters will be discussing the revisions to the General Constitutions, and Proposals submitted by members of the international congregation.
Approved by the 2006 General Chapter, the General Constitutions provide inspiration and strength for the Sisters as they seek to live in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, their models of a life united with Christ.
The aim of the discussion is to update the constitutions to reflect the needs of the time and issues facing the congregation. The capitulars voted on topics including English as a common language, social media, and the protection of the environment.
Sister M. Maksymiliana, Provincial Superior of the Polish Province, shared information about the serious flooding in Poland that affects their Province. Some of the Polish capitulars will return home to help in the rescue and recovery.
September 15, 2024: This afternoon, the new General Councilors were installed by General Superior Sister M. Margarete Ulager during Vespers in the Motherhouse Church.
At 3:30 pm, the capitulars and many guests gathered in the garden of the Generalate’s house. Father Michael blessed a gift from the U.S. Canonical House – a cedar tree as a symbol of the congregation’s roots, endurance and strength.
Afterward, during the installation ceremony at a Vespers in the Motherhouse Church, Father Michael wished the new leadership team the cedar tree’s flexibility and stability. At the request of Sister Margarete, Sisters M. Rita, M. Lima, M. Hiltrud, and M. Teresa, who were elected yesterday afternoon, stated their readiness to serve. They received a candle as bearers of Christ’s light and a blessing from all the Sisters.
Before dinner in the Motherhouse, the cultural richness was revealed through entertainment by the Sisters from Japan, India, and Vietnam. They delighted everyone with their costumes and dancing. A strong sense of Franciscan hospitality and friendship was alive as everyone shared a meal and came together as a family.
September 13, 2024: In spiritual preparation for tomorrow’s election of the new Superior General, the capitulars and guests are holding a day of silence and prayer today. In addition to all the personal prayers, the participants will be united by the Chapter Prayer, which was selected before the General Chapter:
Most high, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me true faith, certain hope and perfect charity, sense and knowledge, Lord, that I may carry out Your holy and true command. Amen.
We would like to contribute to this time of reflection with a meditative view from the chapel of the Borromaeum.
September 11, 2024: This morning, the Sisters from the Japan Province shared their music and prayers at Mass, like the Sisters from the US Canonical House did yesterday.
After breakfast, the perspective work with Sister Carol Zinn continued.
At three o’clock this afternoon, the doors to the Chapter Hall were closed to the guests as the Capitulars now prepare the election of the new General Council, starting with the lists of candidates.
Behind the doors, the work of the interpreters continues who facilitate the discussions in German, English, Polish and Japanese.
The longest serving interpreter is Rolf Lehmann. He has been working for the Congregation for 48 years, beginning with the 1976 General Chapter, translating from German into English and vice versa.
For Rolf Lehmann, who turned 90 this year, this is his 9th General Chapter of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis. Between chapters, he has also worked at many other international meetings. The Sisters are very grateful for Herrn Lehmann’s language proficiency, his insight into international aspects of the congregation, and his friendship and support through all these years.
September 10, 2024: Today’s focus was on the General Council’s reports, which General Vicaress Sister M. Rita Edakkoottathil started yesterday, explaining the Congregation’s International Formation.
This morning, General Councilor Sister M. Lima Arackal disussed the world synod before General Treasurer Sister M. Beata Kapica and Finance Director Martin Krawinkel shared the Generalate’s financial report.
Afterward, General Superior Sister M. Margarete Ulager gave the Generalate’s report for 2018 to 2024 – a very challenging term of office due to external factors such as natural desasters, the Covid pandemic and the outbreak of wars, but also many structural changes within the Congregation.
There were also changes in the General Leadership itself. Sister Margarete gratefully remembered Sister M. Christella Watanabe from the Japanese Province, who was elected General Vicaress in 2018 and passed away in April 2023. In May 2023, General Treasurer Sister Beata Kapica was elected as General Councilor for the remaining term of office. Moreover, Sister Laetitia Matsunaga from the Japanese Province joined the team as an assistant to the General administration. “I will be forever grateful for the love and support of my Sisters in the Generalate and all the Sisters who have been on this path with me for the last six years”, the General Superior said.
We will always remain children of our nations and cultures – but no province is an island!
(Sister M. Margarete Ulager)
In view of the dramatic change in the age structure of the members, Sister Margarete emphasized in her address the great importance of far-sighted planning and actively shaping the common future. “The will of God must always be sensed anew,” she explained, ”and so for already 180 years, our Sisters have been finding new answers to how we can bring the healing presence of Christ into the world.” In conclusion, the General Superior made an emotional plea for strengthening the internationality of the congregation and for communication that builds bridges both between the worldwide locations and between the older and younger sisters.
With gratitude, the Capitulars congratulated Sister Margarete and her team for their leadership and service and gave their formal approval of the acts of the General Council.
The meeting continued with perspective work from Sister Carol Zinn who made it very clear that – to gain a better perspective for the future of the international congregation – you have to get your feet off the ground.
Some impressions of today are available in the following video.
Prayers, music and the facts: Sharing culture and insights
September 9, 2024: At 7 o’clock this morning, Mass was celebrated in the beautiful Chapel at Borromaeum with prayers and music from the Polish Sisters. Daily, the international capitulars will take it in turns to share their culture in the same way, as a tribute to the international congregation and as a way of enhancing the spiritual life within the General Chapter.
In the Chapter Hall, General Superior Sister M. Margarete Ulager introduced some of the people contributing behind the scenes to the smooth running of the Chapter. She welcomed and thanked the host at Borromaeum, Regens Dr. Philip Peters with his team, and also the Generalate staff working from the office in the Motherhouse.
After that, the reporting which started yesterday was continued with information from the Provinces and Canonical House. It included facts and figures regarding membership, ministries, and decisions of the past six years that reflect today’s necessities and the demands of the future. All of this in the framework of political unrest and the many challenges within church and society.
Today the Capitulars heard the reports of Sister Maureen O’Connor, Superior of the U.S. Canonical House, Sister Maria Fidelis Furukawa, Provincial Superior of the Japanese Province, and Sister M. Johncy Kurisunkal, Provincial Superior of the Indian Province.
September 8, 2024: Today, Sunday, September 8, 2024, the 21st General Chapter of the International Congregation of the Hospital Sisters of St Francis was solemnly opened.
In the morning, Mass was celebrated in St. Paul’s Cathedral in Muenster, during which representatives from all locations of the congregation carried their respective national flags. Many Sisters from the Motherhouse, numerous Chapter guests and members of the public attended this Mass.
Provost Hans-Bernd Köppen welcomed the Sisters of the international Congregation, and in his sermon made a connection between the Charism of the Congregation, “to bring the healing presence of Christ into the world”, and the daily reading from the Gospel of Mark, in which Jesus heals a deaf-mute (MK 7, 31 – 37). “This Gospel encourages us to turn to the sick,” he explained. “The Christian view of humanity explicitly includes the sick, the poor and those in need; caring for them is at the heart of Christ’s message of redemption.”
Concelebrant Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael Plattig O.Carm., Spiritual Director of the international Congregation, and Sisters from the German Province of the Hospital Sisters helped to celebrate the liturgy, which was partly held in English due to the large number of guests from all over the world. The wonderful music of a girls’ choir also contributed to the moving Mass and strengthened the Chapter community in a spirit of unity and joy.
In the afternoon, Superior General Sister M. Margarete Ulager officially opened the 21st General Chapter of the international Congregation in the Borromaeum Seminary and lit the Chapter candle with the motto “I am the way and the truth and the life”.
In her opening address, Sister Margarete welcomed all participants and guests and, on behalf of the Sisters of the General Leadership, thanked everyone who contributed to the successful preparation of the chapter.
“Over the last six years, the journey of our international Congregation has been one of ups and downs, there has been much joy, but also sadness – it has been a time of growth and of letting go,” she said, giving a first brief review of her time in office. As a mirror of the Church and society, she sees the Congregation at a crossroads in these complex times. “Our Charism has already survived for 180 years because our community has always reacted anew to the signs of the times,” said the outgoing Superior General. “Over the next two weeks, full of trust in the Holy Spirit, we will work together to search once again for God’s will for our Congregation, looking to the future with hope.”
The work of the General Chapter then began with the presentation of the report of the German Province by Provincial Superior Sister M. Diethilde Bövingloh and of the Polish Province by Provincial Superior Sister M. Maksymiliana Pilarska.
Belew, please find some impressions of today’s General Chapter opening.
September 7, 2024: Organizing the international General Chapter takes a lot of time and preparation, especially when it is held outside the motherhouse. Today, on the eve of the 21st General Chapter opening, the preparations received their finishing touch.
At the Borromaeum, the conference room has been set up as the Chapter Hall. The seating is organized according to countries and languages to facilitate the translation, and the discussions among the delegates from the different provinces and the Canonical House. On the tables, personalized folders hold the material that will be discussed over the next two weeks.
The Sisters from the Generalate and the chapter facilitators are seated along the side of the room with Sister M. Margarete Ulager, the outgoing General Superior.
In the back, six interpreters will be working in sound proof cabins.
In a brief meeting this afternoon, the delegates were able to familiarize themselves with the room and were given an introduction to the translation system. Moreover, the agenda was discussed and the rules of procedure approved.
May the 21st General Chapter begin!
With the following video, we would like to invite you to visit the Chapter Hall at the Borromaeum before the start of the event.
September 6, 2024: This morning, the delegates and guests of the 21st General Chapter visited Telgte, the founding place of the international congregation of the Hospital Sisters.
Telgte, founded about 1,200 years ago, is one of the oldest church locations in the Muenster area. St. Liudger, the missionary, first used this place at the ford of the river Ems, an intersection of various trade routes, to erect a wooden parish church around the year 800. The town was granted city rights in 1238 and belonged to the Hanseatic League of Merchants. Today, about 20,000 people live in Telgte.
After a short walk from the bus parking, Mass was celebrated at the parish church of St. Clemens in the town center. Then the group visited Our Lady of Grace Chapel where Father Christopher Bernsmeyer, OFM, founded the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St Francis on July 2, 1844, 180 years ago.
This baroque chapel was built in 1654 by Prince-Bishop Bernhard von Galen especially for the Pietà of Our Sorrowful Mother of Telgte: A statue of Mary holding the body of Jesus after his death, one of the oldest depictions of its kind in North-Western Germany, carved from poplar wood in 1370. Nothing is known about its origin, and many legends have developed over time. Originally, the statue was colored. Traces of the colors may still be seen on the edges of the garment.
Since the 14th century, Our Sorrowful Mother of Telgte has attracted pilgrims from near and far. In the years of Father Christopher Bernsmeyer’s vicariate in Telgte, when he was also in charge of the pilgrims, he often prayed in front of the Pietà, and the first Hospital Sisters celebrated their investiture in this chapel.
After prayer in front of the Pietà, the visit continued at Klara house, the former home of Father Christopher, and to this day the home of Sister M. Theodora, who serves in the local parish and welcomes visitors and pilgrims in the spirit of Franciscan hospitality.
A visit to Father Christopher Bernsmeyer’s grave concluded today’s trip to Telgte. Father Christopher Bernsmeyer, who was born in Verl in the Diocese of Paderborn on May 15, 1777, moved to Telgte in 1811 and died there on June 2, 1858, at the age of 81. The Sisters’ cemetery came to be his final resting place on October 11, 1950.
Visiting the congregation’s roots was a moving experience, especially for the Sisters and guests who came here for the first time. Sharing the spirituality of Father Christopher that unites the congregation around the world also defined the common ground on which the General Chapter will make important decisions for the future of the Congregation.
The video below provides some impressions of the trip to Telgte.
September 5, 2024: On the morning of the second day in Bremerhaven, the delegates and guests of the 21st General Chapter were greeted by a cloudless blue summer sky. After a hearty breakfast, they were able to check out shortly after nine o’clock and load their suitcases back onto the bus. The participants then walked a few minutes to the German Emigration Center, which was visited in two “language groups”: The German and Polish-speaking travelers set off with interpreters Eva-Maria Steiger and Agata Prochotta Milek, while the English and Japanese speakers were supported by Rolf Lehmann, Reiko Lelli-Tatsumi and Atsuko Matsumoto.
The Emigration Center is dedicated to the approximately 7.2 million people from all over Europe who left Bremerhaven for the New World from the 18th century to the 20th century, where they hoped for a better life. Many fled from hunger, unemployment, war, persecution or a lack of prospects. Visitors to the exhibition follow the traces of real life stories from Bremerhaven to the immigration station Ellis Island and into the city of New York until they arrive in the large concourse of Grand Central Station.
The historically faithfully reconstructed exhibition rooms, the light and sound effects and personal memorabilia were thought-provoking and made the reality of the emigrants’ lives intensely tangible. For example, the ship’s quay, where the travelers used to say goodbye to their homeland and set off into an uncertain future, was very impressively recreated. It also became very clear what living conditions the emigrants had to put up with during the long crossing to America – especially before the invention of steamships in the 1880s, when it still took 12 weeks to sail across the Atlantic. Thanks to all this information, the delegates and guests of the General Chapter can now understand and appreciate all the more the courage, perseverance and life’s work of the Hospital Sisters who traveled to foreign lands as missionaries.
Lunch was also served at the Emigration Museum: The participants fortified themselves with “Grandmother’s potato soup”, coffee, ice cream and cake. Before leaving at 2 p.m., there was still time for a short walk in the warm sunshine and fresh wind.
During the return journey, a vesper was celebrated on the coach in the many native languages of the participants before the group stopped for dinner at the Westphalian Landgasthof Overwaul at 6 pm. Richly endowed with many new impressions, the participants returned to the Borromaeum.
Many thanks and a great big applause for the planning team and everybody who contributed to the success of this wonderful two-day trip!!!
The following video offers some insight of the second day in Bremerhaven. The text is given below.
“For centuries, people have affected and changed the destiny of humanity, and in particular those who have emigrated to another country like many of our Sisters. With this in mind, we visited the German Emigration Center in Bremerhaven where we were touched by the stories of countless people – giving us a glimpse into these people whose hopes and dreams paved their way through their life.
After lunch, we traveled back to Muenster and stopped for dinner at a traditional Westphalian restaurant.
This excursion, while very informative, offered a wonderful opportunity for the delegates and guests to renew friendships and make new friends. During these two days we came together as an international family in the Franciscan tradition of hospitality and joy – setting the stage as we approach the opening of the 21st General Chapter.”
September 4, 2024. The delegates and guests of the 21st General Chapter today set off on a two-day trip to Bremerhaven, which was jointly planned and organized by Sister M. Caecilia Musekamp, delegate from the German Province, and a team from the Generalate, consisting of Sister M. Beata Kapica, Sister M. Rita Edakkoottathil and Finance Director Martin Krawinkel.
After the travel blessing of Spiritual Professor Father Dr. Dr. Michael Plattig O.Carm., the bus journey started from Muenster to the small village of Wremen on the North Sea dike. On the way, Brian Blasco, Head of Communications and Archivist of the U.S. Canonical House, explained the history of the US founding sisters, who made their way from Germany to America by ship from 1875 to the 1930s. Arriving at the North Sea coast, the group stopped for lunch at the ‘Wremer Fischerstube’ after a short walk on the dike.
Then the journey continued by bus to Bremerhaven, first through the port area with a view of large container ships and finally to the B&B hotel. From there, the travelers walked to the Climate House and were surprised by heavy rain on the way – quite a prelude to the exhibition, which deals with climate change.
After an introductory lecture on the concept of the house – a journey along the 8th degree of longitude – the delegates and guests spent almost three hours in the Climate House before the evening ended with a cozy meal in the Kaiserhafen restaurant.
The successful selection of the very original restaurants was due to the local knowledge of Sister M. Caecilia, who lived and worked in Bremerhaven for many years. For the wonderful, impressive day together, the tour group thanked the organization team with warm applause, and also the bus driver who accompanied everyone safely through the day despite the adverse weather conditions.
Some impressions of the first day in Bremerhaven can be found in the following film.
September 3, 2024. Over the past few days, the delegates and guests to the 21st General Chapter arrived in Muenster. We thank God, St. Francis of Assisi, and Father Christopher Bernsmeyer that the travelers’ journey from India, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Poland, America, and Germany was successful.
Today, the Sisters from Vietnam and the Japan Province met to discuss opportunities for the future in a meeting with Sister Carol Zinn, SSJ, Ph.D., Executive Director of LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious), both facilitators of the General Chapter, Professer Dr. Margret Nemann und Cathedral Provost Hans-Bernd Köppen and members of the Generalate.
Many others are unpacking their luggage as they become familiar with their home at the Episcopal Seminary Borromaeum and the city of Muenster.
For some impressions of today, please click on the film below.
Places of Interest: Introducing ‘Borromaeum’ Seminary
September 2, 2024. Today, Monday, is another big arrival day for the General Chapter 2024, with delegates and guests from America, India and Poland expected to arrive. The groups from America and India will be picked up personally at the airport and taken to the Motherhouse to be welcomed by the Generalate team and the Sisters of the German Province. They will then be taken to the ‘Borromaeum”’ to move into their rooms: This episcopal seminary on Cathedral Square will serve as the conference venue and provide accommodation for all participants during the General Chapter. The group from Poland, which is arriving by car, will check-in directly at the Borromaeum later tonight. The first of the six simultaneous translators will also arrive today.
The following film provides some impressions of the beautiful seminary, Borromeum. The information is also provided in the text below.
With no chapter hall at the Motherhouse, our General Chapter 2024 will be held in a Catholic seminary in the city center, at Cathedral Square, called ‘Borromaeum’ after an Italian saint. Since 1854, the Diocese of Muenster has been using this historical building for the formation of priests and as a home for divinity students. Today, the East Wing offers accommodation for male and female students of all faculties. The building was completely refurbished before the German Bishops’ Conference was hosted here in 2018. Visitors now enjoy the stylish combination of carefully preserved post-war features and modern architecture. With its large conference hall, two beautiful chapels, its comfortable rooms and full board, the Borromaeum is the perfect location for our General Chapter 2024.
Places of Interest: Introducing St. Paul’s Cathedral Muenster
September 1, 2024. In exactly one week, on Sunday, September 8, the 21st International General Chapter of the international Congregation of the Hospital Sisters of St Francis will open with Holy Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Muenster. The service will be celebrated by Cathedral Provost Hans-Bernd Köppen, with the Congregation’s Spiritual Director, Professor Father Dr. Dr. Michael Plattig O.Carm. as concelebrant. This Holy Mass will be streamed on the website of the Diocese of Münster, www.bistum-muenster.de, as well as on the diocese’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
In the following film we give you some insights into the history of the Cathedral and the diocese of Muenster. Below, you will find the full text.
On the opening Sunday of our General Chapter, Mass will be celebrated in St. Paul’s Cathedral in Muenster. The origins of Muenster, and its Cathedral, date to the end of the 8th century. Liudger, a missionary, started building a missionary center, including a cloister, a school, and a small church. In 805, Liudger became the first Bishop of Muenster and made this church the centre of his new diocese. St. Paul’s Cathedral as we see it today has been functional since 1956. Earlier buildings were destroyed by fire and the bombings in World War II. As the Bishop’s seat, this church is at the heart of Catholic Muenster. The Cathedral is full of beautiful great art. Visitors are fascinated by the Astronomical clock ticking since 1540.
Places of Interest: Introducing the Motherhouse Church
August 31, 2024. As part of the upcoming General Chapter, in exactly two weeks, on Saturday, September 14, the new international Superior General of the Hospital Sisters will be elected by the delegates from all over the world. This secret ballot, chaired by Dr. Felix Genn, Bishop of Münster, will take place at the central venue, the Episcopal Seminary ‘Borromaeum’ on Cathedral Square. Afterwards, all Sisters and guests will assemble in the Motherhouse Church of the Hospital Sisters, where the new Superior General will be inaugurated by Bishop Dr. Felix Genn.
In the following film, we introduce you the eventful history of the Motherhouse Church. Below, you will find the full text.
After her election, the new General Superior will be installed into her office by Bishop Dr. Felix Genn in our Motherhouse Church in Muenster. The foundation of the original Motherhouse Church was laid in 1854. Sadly, it was destroyed during World War II in the October 1944 bomb raids. After the war, a new church was built with financial assistance from our American Sisters. The church as we see it today was consecrated in 1951 and renovated in the 1970s. It can seat up to 800 people and is known for its great acoustics. The mosaic in the sanctuary was chosen as the General Chapter 2024 logo. It was created by Paul von der Forst and depicts the Holy Spirit above Mary the Queen and Christ the King.
Countdown to the General Chapter: First Guests at the Motherhouse
August 30, 2024. While preparations for the 21st General Chapter are in full swing in the Generalate and the Borromaeum, the first delegates and guests from Japan will be arriving in Münster this evening. The group will be picked up at Münster-Osnabrück Airport by General Superior Sister M. Margarete Ulager, General Vicaress Sister M. Rita Edakkoottathil, Sister M. Laetitia Matsunaga from the Japanese Province and board member Prof. Dr. Michael Möllmann. They will then be taken the motherhouse of the Hospital Sisters.
In order to allow all Sisters and interested parties from all over the world who cannot be in Münster in person to experience the General Chapter as closely as possible, we will be presenting some important places in short film clips over the next few days – starting with the Motherhouse, whose foundation stone was laid by the Hospital Sisters in the middle of the 19th century.
In 1853, the hospital sisters moved from Telgte to Münster. The motherhouse they built included a convent, a church and the beginnings of St. Francis Hospital – a building well suited to their busy lives of work and prayer. Since then, the size, use and shape of the Motherhouse has constantly been adapted to the changing needs of the time. In one of the remodelling phases, the former chapter hall was transferred to St. Francis Hospital. The latest extension includes a modern chapel and living quarters. In the 1960s, around 200 sisters lived in the motherhouse; up to 500 were hosted during retreats. Today, it is home to 60 Hospital Sisters and 24 Brothers and Sisters of other congregations. It is also the seat of the German Provincial leadership and of the international General Administration, who frequently welcome visitors from around the world.
