The Sisters of Bon Secours have released their latest video, A Mission of Hope and Healing in South Africa, to show others the dramatic needs of the South African people. These are people faced with hunger, malnutrition and even starvation. They also suffer from HIV/AIDS and there is an overwhelming population of orphans. The Bon Secours sisters in South Africa provide care to many with these devastating needs while sharing their love of God in everything they do.

Their ministry began in the village of Limpopo, South Africa in June of 2008. In 2010, two sisters from the United States, Sister Vicky Segura, CBS, MD and Sister Elaine Davia, CBS, NP traveled there to assist with medical and nutritional needs. The sisters utilized their medical skills to assist many HIV/AIDS patients and were also able to help refugees, families and orphans with basic needs in the village. They share inspiring stories from their journey in this short video.

In addition to the sisters’ work in their HIV/AIDS clinic and in outreach to the people in the village that continues today, they are now educating young women in the skills they will need to assure income and a brighter future. They currently provide cooking classes for those interested in further cultivating that skill.

The Sisters of Bon Secours answer God’s call globally to help others by defending all life, crying out against injustice and human trafficking, advocating for global solidarity and promoting the preservation of the planet. We invite you to experience this inspiring video that demonstrates the many ways, in one corner of the globe, where the sisters are sharing Jesus’ message with those so much in need.

About the Sisters of Bon Secours: As an international congregation of Catholic sisters they have long had a heart for providing healthcare, social services and spiritual comfort to disadvantaged communities since their inception in 1824 when they nursed the sick in their homes. Today, their holistic approach to caring for all of creation equips the Sisters of Bon Secours to spread wellness and God’s love throughout the four corners of the world. For more information on discerning your vocation or becoming a nun, please visit http://BonSecoursVocations.org, email: CBSVocations@bshsi.org or call 410-442-0267.

Sr. Rose Marie Jasinski, CBS, Country Leader, and a graduate from the Sisters Academy of Baltimore

In 2004, the Sisters of Bon Secours, along with Sisters from Sisters of Mercy, School Sisters of Notre Dame, and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, joined together to address a growing need in Baltimore, Maryland.

That need translated into help and positive inte

rvention within the lives of female middle school students in the form of a new school. Now serving students in grades 5-8, the Sisters Academy strives not only to provide an excellent education for these young girls, but also to infuse a sense of spirituality and confidence in them as well.

In our world today, it is not enough to just be present. Many of the girls attending the Academy come from lower income areas, and often fall victim to circumstances that require them to react or survive. When these girls are armed with spiritual conviction and confidence that presents to them a limitless future, the result is strength, determination, and success…incredible gifts from God.

The Sisters of Bon Secours are dedicated to the positive message provided by the Sisters Academy of Baltimore. Even to the point that our Health System Office (HSO)conducts regular fundraisers to benefit the Academy. Staff at HSO and the Provincial Office celebrate “Jeans Friday” every other week at work, where employees are allowed to wear jeans to work for a small donation to the Academy. The support and love for the mission and vision of Sisters Academy has spread from the Sisters originally involved in the Academy’s creation down to our “front line” staff.

Join us in our support! Visit the Sisters Academy website for more information about opportunities to help.

Sisters Academy of Baltimore

The same Spirit moves among us today, calling us to a new creativity; to take new risks; to continue to meet the pressing needs of today in our world.

We give thanks for our 12 founding sisters and all those who came before us and on whose shoulders we stand.  We give thanks for all of our sisters, associates, ministry volunteers and co-workers today who generously provide compassion, healing and liberation to people in need.  And we give thanks for all those who will come and join us tomorrow and in future years to be “good help to those in need.”

Blessings and love,

Sr. Rose Marie Jasinski, CBS

Country Leader, Sisters of Bon Secours, USA

Sister Josephine Potel, our first congregational leader

Sr. Nancy Glynn, CBS, has prepared this prayer to celebrate our Foundation Day this year.

January 24

Foundation of the Sisters of Bon Secours of Paris

MORNING/EVENING PRAYER

(Psalms from the weekday)

Ant 1  “Let us be poor in everything but let God be treated as God” (Mère  Geay)

Ant 2  “What shall we do for our poor?  Above all I am anxious  about the poor” (Mere Geay)

Ant 3  “I bless the members of the Congregation with all my heart.  I bless them all for the present and for the future” (Last words of Mère Geay)

READING

Led by the Holy Spirit, a small group of young women came together in Paris in 1821 animated by a desire to bring into the homes the Good News of salvation and its message of joyous hope.  They placed themselves under the direction of Josephine Potel.  They nursed the sick in their homes, whatever their social situation, especially in their last moments, revealing to them the charity of Christ.

On January 24, 1824, Monseignor Hyacinthe Louis de Quelan, Archbishop of Paris, confirmed the charism of Mother Potel by receiving the vows of these twelve young women.  He gave them the name of Sisters of Bon Secours under the invocation of Our Lady Help of Christians, for the care of the sick.  But also, since the beginning, responding to the needs of the time, the Congregation undertook works of education.

Since the origin, availability, loving devotion and courage in the face of suffering and death have been the traditional strength of Bon Secours.  (Constitutions Sisters of Bon Secours Articles 1,2,3)

RESPONSARY (Introduction Our Journey document)

Women of Compassion – welcome my poor and lonely members

Resp.  Listen to the voice of the Spirit

Women of Healing – care for my suffering members.

Resp. Listen to the voice of the Spirit

Women of Liberation – set free my imprisoned members

Resp: Listen to the Voice of the Spirit

CANTICLE (Introduction Our Journey Document)

Ant:  We are women energized by the spirit, Nurturing women hurrying toward the future bearing Christ to all we meet.

INTERCESSIONS (Calls from the General Chapter 1999, 2004 and 2009)

As contemplative women who find God in all people, in all creation and in all events

      – we commit ourselves to give a prophetic witness in the light of our charism

We commit ourselves to relationships with one another in ways that are authentic

      – and enliven us for our mission of compassion healing and liberation.

We commit ourselves to be compassionate women

      – who act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God (Mi 6:8)

We commit ourselves to walk humbly with our lay brothers and sisters

– mutually sharing our vision of participating in the struggle for a more humane  world.

As consecrated women, joyful in the risen Christ, we choose life and we commit ourselves

– to identify and welcome new members to become Sisters of Bon Secours.

-      Share our life of compassion, healing and liberation in community  and  mission.

We women of healing, commit ourselves to defend and care for all of creation

– to cry out with others against injustice and all that diminishes life on earth.

PRAYER

Jesus, our Mediator before God, Light of the world, all grace comes to us through you.  In your love you have drawn us together to cooperate in your mission: for this we humbly thank you.  May we remain faithful to our vocation!  May we always respond generously to your call.

Our Lady of Bon Secours, you who share in the salvation of the world, protect this Congregation which has grown under your patronage.  Guide to us others with generous hearts.  May we be the echo of your “fiat” when God calls upon us.  May we be your goodness to those you wish to aid.  May the Spirit of the Lord help us, especially in moments of difficulty, to repeat with you, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord”  (Prayer for the Congregation 1998)

Click a photo below to enter the photo gallery.

May you find Peace, Love, and Happiness this Thanksgiving Holiday!

Sister Pat

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Thanksgiving in North America originated from a mix of European and Native traditions. Typically in Europe, festivals were held before and after the harvest cycles to give thanks for a good harvest. Native Americans also celebrated the end of a harvest season. When Europeans first arrived in the Americas, they brought with them their own harvest festival traditions from Europe, celebrating their safe voyage, peace, and a good harvest. In the United States, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition traces its origins to a 1621 celebration at Plymouth in present-day Massachusetts. There is also evidence of an earlier harvest celebration on the continent by Spanish explorers in Florida during 1565, as well as thanksgiving feasts in the Virginia Colony. The Wampanoag Native Americans were part of the celebration because they assisted the Plymouth colonists by providing seeds and teaching them to fish.