Second day in Bremerhaven

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 21^st General Chapter.”