Stop 3 - The vine

This vine is both a metaphor and an image for the development of the order of the SSpS Missionary Sisters. It gives an overview of the places where about 3,000 sisters live worldwide. The years indicate since when our sisters have been living and working in the respective country. So you can see exactly how and when the order has grown.

Over the decades the vine has grown bigger and bigger and now bears many fruits. The individual berries stand for one of our houses, also called communities. Attached to these can be hospitals, schools, kindergartens or other social projects in which the sisters are committed to social justice. They also work in parishes and are a contact point for questions of faith and for people on their personal spiritual quest.

The roots of this branching vine, however, lie here in Steyl. For it was from this place that generations of Sisters were sent on their mission. This is what the silhouette of the Sacred Heart Covent  at the bottom stands for.

What's behind it all?

Mission

Mission is not a one-way street, not one-sided aid, but it thrives on reciprocity and solidarity with all people. Our mission is part of a constantly changing world. It adapts to the respective contexts and continues to develop.

Mission means "sending": Christians believe that GOD sends them to shape the world in a fraternal way.

The commitment to social justice, peace and the integrity of creation is an essential part of this mission. Its dimension is ecclesial and spiritual as well as secular and political. Global processes are responsible for growing inequality, poverty and misery. Christians are challenged to work for fair and just treatment and to act in solidarity.

Interculturality

Interculturality is an important aspect of living together in any international community.

Our religious community is not only represented worldwide, but also the sisters come together from very different regions and cultures. Thus, the individual communities are usually colourfully mixed, and each sister brings her own traditions, imprints and experiences with her. This requires communication and sensitivity. But with openness and forbearance, the different cultural identities can be experienced and new perspectives in living together can be opened.

Impulse for you

Everyone has their own experiences and perspectives with which the world is seen and interpreted. And it is fortunate that everyone does it a little differently and that through dialogue we have endless opportunities to look at something through the eyes of others and learn from it.

Where does 'being different' begin for you?

Is being different positive or negative for you and why?