           |
SSSF European Province celebrates 100th Anniversary
 |
| European sisters celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the European Province on September 16, 2007 |
In mid-September, the sisters of our European Province commemorated a very important event in our history – the 100th Anniversary of the European Province. SSSF foundresses, Mothers Alexia and Alfons and Sister Clara left Schwarzach, Germany, in 1874 to go to America because the government was suppressing religious communities. In the United States they founded a new community to respond to the needs of the time and to work among the many German immigrants. Mother Alexia had a vision of a large international community and so, as soon as the community was established in the United States, Mother Alexia returned to Europe and started missions in Germany, Alsace, Italy and Switzerland. Since the government of Baden would not allow her to open a Provincial House in Germany, she opened one in Luxembourg and on September 9, 1907 she received papal approval to establish the European Province.
The official celebration of this important event took place in the Provincial House in Erlenbad on September 16th. It was a grand celebration with liturgy, dinner, presentations, greetings and music. The keynote address was given by Sister Fran Cunningham from the U.S. Province. Invited guests included leaders of the Diocese and Caritas, government officials, General and Provincial Superiors of the Diocese, our sisters and employees.