News
Always the heart of the religious community
Kapellen van het moederhuis (Chapels of the mother house). As the title already implies, this booklet is about the chapels the mother house of the Congregation Dochters van Maria en Joseph had up to now. The booklet – written and compiled by Sister Veronie Franken and Sister Monique Cillessen and issued by Messrs R.S. and O.L. Schrover – describes those chapels in a nutshell and shows in particular the changes in the present chapel through the years.
Heart of the community
Kapellen van het moederhuis (Chapels of the mother house) also shows very strikingly the importance of the chapel to the congregation. The chapel is, as it turns out, the heart of the religious community. There are prayers, hymns and meditation, while God’s presence is experienced and liturgically celebrated. Already in the beginning, the mother house in ’s Hertogenbosch had a chapel, as the booklet says. In the first years, this was a room that was equipped as such.
Three real chapels
In 1830, this chapel was replaced by a ‘real’ chapel, also called the first chapel. In 1846, this one was replaced by a second, classicistic chapel, designed from the ideas of the founder of the congregation, father Heeren. In 1911, the present, much larger (third) chapel was consecrated. Henceforth the second chapel served as refectory. In the course of the twentieth century, the interior of the third chapel would change radically several times. In the booklet these alterations are recorded in pictures and text.
Price: EUR 15.00
ISBN: 9789080840829
On sale at:
- Bookshop Adr. Heinen
Kerkstraat 27
NL-5211 KD ’s Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands)
+31 (0)73-6130012
www.selexyz.nl
Restarting congregation celebrated 190th anniversary after starting up again
On 7, 8, 10 and 11 July, the Congregation Dochters van Mary en Joseph celebrated its 190th anniversary.
The celebration, which took place in the mother house in ’s Hertogenbosch, was intended for sisters, associates, relatives, staff members, voluntary workers and relations. The celebrations – with several performances – were only for those invited. The anniversary celebration was the overture to a new start with, among other things, a House of Spirituality and new vocations.
Founded in 1820
The congregation, also known as Zusters van de Choorstraat (Sisters of the Choorstreet), was founded in 1820 to offer new prospects to the many poor and underprivileged among the population of ’s Hertogenbosch. Especially between 1890 and 1940, the sisters community experienced a tremendous growth. In more and more villages and cities communities were started, often to undertake tasks like teaching and nursing. Of all the activities the sisters took up, especially the pioneering work at boarding schools for deaf or hearing-impaired children, mentally or physically challenged children or children with behavioural problems, was extraordinary. In these institutions, the sisters were among the foundresses of several educational, nursing, treatment and pedagogical methods.
Four missionary countries
Also in other countries (Brazil, China, Indonesia and Congo), the sisters were active. The Indonesian mission turned out to be a lasting success. It has grown into a lively community with several subcommunities from where many works of charity are being done.
New start
Now the Congregational Council decided to start up again in the Netherlands, women again find their way to the community here. They are women who are seeking spirituality and community spirit. They find that in the new House of Spirituality, which is established in the mother house. There they can attend lectures and follow trainings in the field of Christianity and spirituality. The formation in the House of Spirituality can lay the foundation of a further commitment to the congregation, like an associated membership or actually joining the congregation.
Would you like to find out more about the congregation?
Please contact Thekla Schrammeijer. She is responsible for the House of Spirituality.
Congregatie Dochters van Maria en Joseph
(Congregation of the Daughters of Mary and Joseph)
Papenhulst 5
NL-5211 LC ’s Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands)
+31 (0)73-6904500
Eventful history with a hopeful end
12 July 2010
Geroepen en toegewijd (Called and devoted). That is the title of the book the Congregation Dochters van Mary en Joseph has had made about its own history. The book, which runs to about 180 pages and has been beautifully illustrated, was presented at the anniversary celebration on 7, 8, 10 and 11 July in the mother house in ’s Hertogenbosch. It is available at two bookstores: the Bookstore of the Abbey of Berne in Heeswijk-Dinther and Bookstore Adr. Heinen (Selexyz) in ’s Hertogenbosch.
Founded in 1820
The congregation – author Andries Molengraaf writes – was founded in 1820 to offer new prospects to the many poor and underprivileged among the population of ’s Hertogenbosch. Especially between 1890 and 1940, the sisters community experienced a tremendous growth, according to the book. In more and more villages and cities communities were started, often to undertake tasks like teaching and nursing. Of all the activities the sisters took up, especially the pioneering work at boarding schools for deaf or hearing-impaired children, mentally or physically challenged children or children with behavioural problems, was extraordinary. In these institutions, the sisters were among the foundresses of several educational, nursing, treatment and pedagogical methods.
Four mission countries
Also in other countries (Brazil, China, Indonesia and Congo) the sisters went to work. These missions, too, are being painted elaborately. The Indonesian mission turned out to be a lasting success. It has grown into a lively community with several subcommunities from where many works of charity are being done.
Surprisingly and promisingly
The author also addresses the difficult postwar period of decline, with fewer and fewer vocations and many sisters leaving. The book ends unexpectedly and hopefully, however, with a serious new start.
Price: EUR 35.00
ISBN: 9789081564816
Available at:
- Boekhandel Berne (Bookstore)
Abdijstraat 53
5473 AC Heeswijk-Dinther (The Netherlands)
+31 (0)413-291394
www.berneboek.com - Boekhandel Adr. Heinen (Bookstore)
Kerkstraat 27
5211 KD ’s Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands)
+31 (0)73-6130012
www.selexyz.nl
