A legacy of faith through mission
September 29, 2014 marked the start of the 90th year celebration for the Missionary Sisters of St Columban. Two people shared a vision and answered a similar call, the order came to be.
In December 1917, Father John Blowick, co-founder of the Columban Fathers, spoke of the urgent need for women collaborators in a new missionary venture in China. This appeal found a ready response in the heart of Lady Frances Moloney who later became Mother Mary Patrick. The two shared a deep faith and unparalleled passion for serving the poor and spreading the Gospel message of Christ in China. In 1924, this dream led to the foundation of the Missionary Sisters of St Columban, better known as the Columban Sisters.
From the beginning, the Columban Sisters have served the poor on the fringe of society in remote corners of the world. Their missionary journey started in 1926 when they entered China and despite floods, famine, war and thieves were able to establish much needed dispensaries and give spiritual and physical care to the impoverished and the sick in war torn areas.
Over the next nine decades, they expanded into Chile, Hong Kong, Korea, Myanmar, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, England, Scotland, Ireland and the United States. In these countries, they started ministries in hospitals, clinics, respite centres, schools and outreach efforts as they shared the love of Christ with the forgotten, the porr and the least of God's people.
Columban Sisters look ahead with hope and confidence. They are called to feed and clothe the hungry; minister to and care for people coping with and dying from AIDS; walk the final journey with hospice patients; bring hope to battered prisoners; help to restore the dignity of women and children; help teach the physically and mentally challenged; care for the earth; and become advocates for justice and the protection of the basic rights of all people.
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Video: In gratitude for 90 years of Missionary life and service
00:05:29 | Sep 29, 2014
Columbans thank The Observer for publishing this article. For article inquiries please contact Mary Hosler, Columban Sisters Director of Mission Advancement on email: missionoffice@stcolumbanshome.org. For more information about the Columban Sisters please visit: www.columbansisters.org
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