In 1881, two Sisters, guided by the Abbé Bataille, who had been members of a hospitaller community (Canonesses of St. Augustine of Lessines), came to Jolimont to welcome the homeless, the aged and the sick in the abandoned Château du Bouly. Their first resident was brought to them by the City Council, on a cart!

Thus a new work began in this industrial region – today it is post-industrial – and it was among the poorest people of the country.

From the beginning, the Sisters followed the Rule of St. Augustine and the Spirituality of the Servants of Mary, having frequent contacts with the Congregation of Servants of Mary of London.

The little Diocesan Congregation was developing at the same time as the hospice, which became the Institute of Notre Dame of Compassion (INDC).

Over time, the Institute developed and innovated: the types of care extended and specialisms arose. The community grew, adapted, was open to mergers with other diocesan groups and then became the Region of Jolimont, an integral part of the International Congregation of the Servants of Mary of London, in 1995.

As the years went by, the Sisters were aided by doctors and other specialist laypersons, who progressively took charge of the “Entité Jolimontoise”, the fruits of which we see in the structure which exists today, always growing: hospital services both general and specialist, rest homes, domiciliary care, dispensaries, nursing education…

In the corridors of these Hospitals and Rest Homes of all kinds (in which work more than 2000 people!) the Sisters remain present, collaborating with their lay colleagues to assure, with the chaplaincy services, a Christian presence alongside the sick, the aged, the dying, safeguarding at the same time the fundamental values which had guided the founders of the INDC.

Who knows? Perhaps you find yourself inspired by this account of the Love of God and others to share in the secret of humble evangelical service…

For many years, we have been involved in health-care but now we are limited to two sisters nursing in Canada, and one young sister in Congo doing some nursing, caring for the sick living nearby. Another Congolese sister is well into her nursing course while still another is completing her studies as a laboratory technician. One sister in Canada helps with AIDS patients and one in France with the severely handicapped.

Sisters work in parish ministries throughout the Province - sacramental preparation (sacraments of initiation and marriage), catechetical work, funeral preparation. Many of the sisters are involved with visiting the sick and aged, and bringing them Communion. One is involved with prison ministry.

Our sisters who are in the Democratic Republic of Congo teach primary school children, teach catechism classes, and visit and help the sick, the refugees and the needy in whatever way they can.

Besides the ministries that take the sisters out into the community there is also their service within the community. Particularly where there are elderly and sick sisters, there are sisters who are mostly involved in their care and who assure a community life for them.

…..in the city of Kingston…
where we are involved in Religious Education in a city High School, and in Public Health Nursing in a wide geographic area. Formation of Jamaican youths and providing primary health care are key to an individual’s and a nation’s well-being.

In addition to these two traditional areas of service, we respond to the need in the Church for spiritual direction, teaching RCIA program, music ministry, visiting the sick and shut-ins, and serving on Church-related Committees.

….in rural Hanover on the northcoast…
“yu name gaan abrahd – all ovah Hanover, Sis. People dem know you is
lovin’ an’ kine to ebrybady, and di sista dem full a di Lawd. Yu name gaan
abrahd. Now, mi doan quite ‘membah yu name, sis….”

These words from a poor little old man expressing deep gratitude for help with his dying son, and reflecting the nature of our pastoral ministry in Hanover and the Diocese of Montego Bay.

Using the example of Mary who saw a need and set out to find a way of responding, we seek to discern the ministry that is a most appropriate use of our gifts and skills in responding to the many needs around us. Thus those sisters involved in education can either be working in the school, or fulfil the role of school chaplain or make use of their many years of experience as members of Governing Bodies both of our own Servite or Diocesan Schools.

Some sisters feel called to work with the marginalised of society by supporting them as they try to eradicate areas of injustice. Recognising that the homeless are amongst the most needy, we work with those charities who provide support and accommodation. In many of these areas the work is ecumenical, where people of different faiths are working collaboratively.

For the care of those marginalised by ill health some Sisters nurse or provide respite care for those with a physical and/or mental illness. The care of those suffering from an AIDS related illness is supported within the hospice. Others minister as a hospital chaplain or a therapist. Within this context also comes the care of our frail and elderly sisters.

Those involved in Church based ministries range from providing facilitation skills, working with the Diocesan Marriage Tribunals and the homosexual community. Yet others are involved in their local parishes whether they help with catechetics, liturgy, ministry to the sick and the lonely, or parish visiting.

Our sisters serve as pastoral ministers in parish communities in many ways. They visit the sick in homes and hospitals, direct RCIA programs, provide religious education for young and adult Catholics, organize events for retirees, and participate in parish activities of all kinds.

Many sisters are skilled at facilitating retreats and workshops helping participants to update their theology, explore their own spirituality and relationship with God. Individual spiritual direction is also offered. It fosters spiritual growth as participants learn to find God in their human experiences and how to deepen this relationship through prayer and action.

Our Peregrine ministry is inspired by St. Peregrine, a Servite saint, who is the patron of those suffering from cancer or other life threatening illnesses. Sisters pray for those enrolled in the prayer program. Anointing Masses are held once a month. A Healing Garden on our Motherhouse grounds provides a place of restful reflection. Bereavement resources help loved ones to cope.

Our healing ministries involve both physical and emotional healing. Some of our sisters serve as hospital chaplains and hospice workers being a compassionate presence with patients, families and staff in times of illness, vulnerability and crisis. Some sisters are trained in the art of healing touch which is an energy based therapy that helps the body activate self-healing. Others of our sisters minister as individual and family therapists seeking to provide emotional healing through a holistic approach that takes into account all the facets of a person’s life.

A Servite Center of Compassion can be found wherever Servite sisters are a compassionate presence. At the Motherhouse in Omaha a special Servite Center of Compassion is being developed which will bring together the outreach offered there. The Peregrine ministry, spirituality ministry, and ministry to women are three areas of ministry that are being expanded The mission of the Center is to be a sacred space in the city welcoming all with compassion and hope.