South African Province
since 1883
The General Chapter of 1995 gave us the mandate to work for the inculturation of the Gospel.
Lived Charism
"In schools run by Holy Cross sisters in South Africa I witnessed something of the spirit of Mother Bernarda. What struck me was the family-like atmosphere which prevailed and which manifested itself especially in an openness and genuine interest in the present and future life of each child. Another thing that was impressive was the fact that many lay teachers were prepared to teach in our schools in spite of financial disadvantages they had to accept because the state does not subsidise Catholic schools satisfactorily.
The school’s mission-statement which states that the education of the child for a Christian way of life is our primary goal was not just a piece of paper pinned on the wall but a lived reality". (Sr Edith Altschäffl)
Challenges
- Education in schools.
- Youth involvement, e.g.Youth-alive.
- Education of teachers in our Charism in order to ensure continuation of our ethical policies.
- Programmes: Self-help development projects for the unemployed on a large and small scale.
- Pastoral work: Small Christian Communities; family apostolates; formation of laity.
- Initiatives in AIDS awareness and prevention programmes.
- Nursing in Government hospitals and home-based care.
- Care of the old and frail.
For more than hundred years Holy Cross Sisters are on mission in South Africa. In our small community in Vrede we are a real mixture of three sisters each from a different nationality, two black, one white.
One of the aims of our communities in the post-apartheid South Africa is to break down barriers created by racial prejudice. With the people among whom we live we strive to contribute towards the realisation of the ‘rainbow-nation’ envisaged by Nelson Mandela and called for by the Gospel. Our dream is that all people of South Africa no matter of which culture, tribe or language will live together in peace and harmony. All people should be able to live out their religion and values and be able to express their thoughts and convictions in complete freedom.
The internationality of our congregation which is spread over four continents is an enrichment and challenge for us. The values of religious life and the spirit of our founders is the axis which unites us.
