Swiss Province
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross was founded in 1844 in Menzingen by Mother Bernarda Heimgartner and Father Theodosius Florentini. That is why we are called "Menzinger" Sisters in Switzerland.
Today about 520 sisters belong to the Swiss Province: 400 belong to the German speaking part, with about 80 sisters in the Tessin and 40 sisters in West Switzerland.
Our spirituality and way of life can best be understood by coming and living with us for a while. We journey with Jesus Christ who is our guiding principle of life and who is revealed in the Gospel. Our name comes from the early years of our congregation, when the sisters drew strength and courage from the Cross and Resurrection. Hence the Motto: In the Cross is Salvation!
Our motherhouse is a place of reflection and prayer. In the Holy Cross chapel at Mother Bernarda's grave many people look for help and strength in time of worry and sorrow. Participation in worship is open to all. Women looking for silence and inner direction can live for a space of time with us.
We try to respond to the needs of the time for today through:
- Presence with pastoral and social service in small communities
- Spiritual accompaniment with searching individuals
- Care of our sisters who are aged and in need of nursing service.
Province Homepage
http://www.institut-menzingen.ch
It is here where it began and it is here where it continues to live on -
the community of the Holy Cross Sisters of Menzingen.
For more than 160 years many young people, predominantly girls, of Switzerland and beyond had the privilege to receive an excellent primary, secondary and tertian education.
Aged with dignity we continue to keep Mother Bernarda’s vision alive. We try to discover new ways in which to realise this vision today. As before we still live in community. Today in smaller groups in the midst of people, but also in larger communities in a more conventional life style.
As small groups, alone and preferably together with other women and organisations we are involved in various cultural, social and health services for the life of the Church. Our greatest concern is to bring life especially where it is threatened, "crucified” and dying.
We do this because of our faith in Jesus of Nazareth. Our desire is to follow him who witnessed to this fullness of life which he called us to live and proclaim today.
