Missionary Sisters of the Assumption

2. Missionary Sistersof the Assumption Aspects of the history & charism (which means our spirit)

3. Presentation to Maryvale College

4. In 1849 Bishop Devereux asked for Assumption sisters to come to Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape & open schools. I would like to tell you a little of the early sisters & how we became to be in Maryvale.

5. 27 August 1849 – Antwerp 3 December 1849 – Port Elizabeth

6. Amelia de Henningsen Mother Gertrude Notre Mere Born: Brussels 21 April 1822 • Died: • Grahamstown • 1 November 1904

7. The journey lasted over 3 months • On the Oceanie: • Sailors mutinied • Pirates attacked • Fire broke out • Food went rotten • Very little fresh water • Most passengers became seasick

8. Between 3 & 11 December the Sisters prepared for their journey from Port Elizabeth to Grahamstown. They washed their clothes and packed the wagons.

10. The Assumption Sisters were the first religious Sisters in Africa south of the Equator Pioneer Sisters of South Africa Many, even priests, thought they should not be here as the time was not ripe for women religious in SA Misunderstandings, changes due to circumstances & difficulties in communication obliged Notre Mere to break from the founding congregation & so began: “The Missionary Sisters of the Assumption”

12. Two novices came from France with Mother Gertrude. They made their vows as sisters on 21 December 1849 only 6 days after arriving in Grahamstown

13. Two Schools were started on 15 January 1850 the first convent schools in SA. Fee paying children in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” A free school in a stable

14. The Life of the Sisters in the early years was very different from their experiences of convent life in Europe. They had to cope with many difficulties. • Everything was “new” • They did not have a proper/private dwelling • They were short of staff & money • War broke out on Christmas day 1850

15. At night the Sisters together with the orphans & many from the town slept in the cellar of St Patrick’s Church

16. The Sisters were involved in many charitable works: • Attended the sick • Cared for orphans • Buried the dead • Ran a lottery for funds for a hospital • Organised a library for the soldiers • Gave religious instructions • Sang in the Church choir • Sacristans • Helped other religious who came to SA

18. To raise much needed cash the skilfulSisters did needlework for the local community • The Sisters started a fruit & vegetable garden to provide for the children & themselves. • They grew flowers for Church. • There were difficulties due to • different climate.

19. During the first 9 years in SA Notre Mere experienced many difficulties & hardships • 1854 death of Bishop Devereux who was a friend and supporter • Difficulties with the local priest • A maid, Jane, ‘was out of her mind’ • Frontier wars • Shortage of personnel & funds • Stables used for free school washed away

20. In August 1858 I was struck down with a severe attack of pleurisy & given up by the doctors. On receiving the sacraments I was restored to health. It was during this illness that I saw Our Lady ..... I thought I was drowning, felt the rush of waters in my ears & heard the waves dashing over me, when I perceived her on a boat, with the child on one arm & the other stretched out to save me. From that moment, I felt sure I would get better, though the doctors had given up hope. Notre Mere’s Memoirs

21. As a recovery programme the Doctor recommended the Notre Mere take a rest on a farm & go horse riding for recreation . She followed his instructions!

22. Mother Gertrude was given the name “Notre Mere” during the 1850 war - & it remained with her. Some aspects of her life:

23. She had a very special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament This has remained part of our Assumption Tradition as can be seen in the chapels of our convents

24. Notre Mere’s Motto I am • the way • the truth • the life

25. Notre Mere’s psalm: • O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry weary land without water. (Ps 62)

26. She committed • her life to Christ

27. Selected sayings of Notre Mere • Show God your love for him by your zeal & by charity • without limit. • Give yourself unreservedly to God; • become a docile instrument in his hands. • Follow the voice of your conscience. • Integrity, justice & honesty are stronger than sentiment • even though they can cost much pain. • Be large minded as well as large hearted. • Don’t strain at gnats; • practise true charity & common sense • not like people who are pigeon hearted.

28. “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” John10:10 • “The glory of God is the person • Fully Alive” • St Ireaneaus • Notre Mere Fully Alive!

29. Paris Religious of Assumption founded in 1839 by Mere Marie Eugenie. Sr Gertrude leaves for South Africa in August 1849 Over the years Sisters are sent to work in African countries: Egypt, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 1932: Sisters sent to Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland. Many Irish women joined MSA First Sisters arrive in Port Elizabeth South Africa on 3 December 1849. Arrive in Grahamstown 15 December 1849. Became a separate congregation. 1958: 4 sisters sent to USA to start a school; withdrawn in 1964.

30. Our roots in Africa

31. MSA apostolate in Africa Currently in: • South Africa • Worked in: • Egypt • Malawi • Nigeria • Zambia • Zimbabwe • Sisters in formation from: • Congo • Kenya • Nigeria

32. Our mission is in • Education • Health care • Faith formation often we not directly involved & our aim is to enable others

33. MSA Crest Notre Mere chose the symbol of the anchor & the motto, Adveniat Regnum Tuum as the crest of her sisters

34. MSA Emblem Shaped as the seal used by our early sisters. Southern Cross is a reminder of our origins in the southern hemisphere. The Cross The anchor is our oldest sign. It originates from our beginnings in the Cape of Good Hope. It is a sign of hope & of being “anchored” in the steadfast love of God.

35. Charism & Heritage Statement • The Missionary Sisters of the Assumption grew from the seven sisters, sent to South Africa by the Religious of the Assumption in 1849. • The first religious women in South Africa, came at the request of Bishop Devereux of Grahamstown. • His vision was that they would assist in • Faith formation, • Education • Health care

36. In January 1850, they established two schools: • one fee-paying (to provide for their support) & • the other free • From this small beginning schools were later • established in other parts of South Africa, • Africa & Ireland. • Among these are: • Maryvale College, Johannesburg • Assumption Convent Malvern, Germiston • Assumption Convent Primary School, PN

38. Maryvale College grew out of the first Assumption • School to be established in Johannesburg. • The parish priest, Fr Philip Erasme OMI, who • had been educated by the Jesuits in Graham- • stown, drove personally to Grahamstown to ask • the Assumption Sisters to start a girls school. They did so in 1939 • Fr Philip Erasmefounded St Paul’s Parochial Primary School for • boys in 1943. • In 1990 the two schools merged to become Maryvale College: • A vibrant, co-educational, Catholic School which offers quality education in the South African context.

39. The crest of the College combines • elements of the two schools and speaks clearly of its spirit. • Maryvale College is a small dynamic school that • offers quality Catholic education to learners • from a range of backgrounds. • We aim to educate so that our learners are not • content to be consumers but to make a • meaningful contribution to their world.

40. We integrate • Academic excellence Gr 12 100% passes • Service (Interact, peer counselling, community service group) • A healthy all-round human development (sport, drama, choir, debating) & the services of a school counsellor • Prayer at the heart of all we do

41. Maryvale College is a • happy, caring, spiritual environment • where young people can • grow into responsible members & leaders of society • who make a difference in their communities

43. Motto is a phrase adopted as a principle of behaviour

44. Honour the Lord through learning

45. In all our work of humble service & in our prayer Mary assumed into heaven is our example & sign of hope

46. Thy Kingdom Come