Who We Are: Our Structures

OUR HISTORY

Our Structures

by Sr. Christiane Jungo

Ingenbohl and diversity are concepts which are closely linked. This is seen already in our name. To people we are known as "Ingenbohl Sisters" or "Holy Cross Sisters". Legally, we are "Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross, Ingenbohl". As such we are an international community of Catholic women religious.

Compared to the great traditions of religious institutes, ours is a relatively new foundation. It dates back to the middle of the 19th century, and came about in answer to the needs of that time. It was promoted by a new religious awareness: Religion and Church should not encourage people to just wait for a better time hereafter, but to actively support and be involved in social and cultural progress. Our founders, Father Theodosius Florentini and Mother M. Theresa Scherer had a marked social sensitivity. Whatever form poverty might have taken, they both tried to alleviate it by the involvement of their sisters in Switzerland and abroad. In his own words, Father Theodosius wanted to organize his foundation so it could fit in anywhere.

We are still committed to this vision today. We see it as our mission, based on faith, to be open to the people. What is decisive is their situation of need rather than their religious or ideological position. The work of the sisters varies according to individual countries and their social circumstances. Since conditions and needs are subject to change, our types of work also change.

Spirituality and Solidarity

Our sisters were never confined to anyone special type of work. The following can be seen as main focuses in the course of the decades and in various countries: Education with children, youth and adults; nursing and specialized medical activities; care of the elderly; social work in homes and other institutions; pastoral activities in the service of the local Church and the community; home management and administrative tasks. In some countries, the emphasis lies on the empowering of women. Even though our activities are carried out according to the principles of business administration, they are not profit-oriented. The human person must be at the center of all our efforts. Our Constitutions advise us not to get tired of looking for new ways to reach people - this, of course, within our personnel and financial possibilities.

In trying to put this directive into practice, we experience more and more the debate between "heritage and mission". Heritage: what has grown out of the charism of that time and the small beginnings. Mission: not to ignore the tasks of our present time, but to try to make the Gospel relevant today. The common denominator of our 450 communities around the world is "spirituality and solidarity" - internally and externally. Committed to Franciscan spirituality, personally and as a community, we orientate ourselves on the Word of God. We strive to be communities of prayer and faith who invite others to join us. We adhere to values that promote life and joy. It should be possible to experience the Church as a home, be it in lively liturgies, in a network of God-experiences, or in steady search and questioning.

Life in community is essential to religious life. As women of all age levels, we live together committed to each other, supporting each other in the ups and downs of life. In this way we are challenged and supported at the same time. Our various talents and ministries mean we have a diversity and richness that should be for the benefit of all. From the perspective of community life, the Evangelical Counsels can be interpreted and understood.

However varied our communities may be, the Rule and Constitutions provide a common orientation. At the same time, there is scope for the individual sister to develop her personality. Living in Hope is more than just a motto. It is a good place to be.

Sisters as Neighbors

Internationally, our smallest units are the local convents or sisters' communities. Here sisters live in houses belonging to us or in rented apartments/houses in a city or village. Sisters want to be experienced as neighbors. According to their missions, these communities are small or large. The sister responsible for the individual community is appointed by the provincial leadership in consultation with the sisters concerned, for a term of three years at a time. The community has convent chapters where matters of daily life are settled. Here, community life is periodically evaluated and spiritual topics dealt with. Each of the more than 4,000 sisters is obliged, according to her possibilities, to create and contribute to community living.

The activity of the individual sister depends on her abilities and her age. She can perform her task in a house belonging to the Congregation or somewhere else at the service of other people. The salaries of the sisters go into the common monetary fund. Joint property for us is the attempt to practice a simple lifestyle and, as far as possible, to share material and intellectual goods. Whatever is not required for the immediate needs of the local community is given to the administration, which makes use of it for larger expenses, to make investments, to provide for expenses in old age and to support projects, especially those for women.

New Challenges in the Provinces/Vicariates

On our second structural level are the seventeen provinces and the four vicariates, which include the sisters' communities of a certain geographical area. For example, the Mother Province of Switzerland is made up of the approximately 40 communities of German speaking, Italian speaking and Rhaeto-Romanic speaking parts of Switzerland . While the origins of most of the provinces go back to the beginnings of the community, the vicariates have been added later. These are directly under the general administration and have fewer members. Whether or not the establishments joined earlier or later, whether in Europe, Asia, Africa or America, they have all grown in areas of special needs of the Church and the Society.

Each province is headed by a provincial leader with her council. The provincial administration coordinates the professional involvement of the sisters and has their professional and religious development in mind. It promotes unity, and the deepening and ongoing education of the sisters. The fast growing number of elderly sisters in many provinces presents new challenges. Two aspects have to be kept in mind at the same time: Being open to meaningful possibilities for the involvement of younger sisters, and also to ways for the elderly to have a fulfilling old age. Further tasks of the provincial administration are intensive work with the administrations of our houses, serving as members of governing boards of our works, and collaboration with ecclesiastical and civil authorities.

The Provincial Chapter with its elected delegates is the highest policy-making authority of a province. The provincial administration presents its report to this Chapter. The individual points on the agenda are determined by the written proposals of the sisters and the changed circumstances since the previous Chapter. Later, a written report informs about content and decisions. Suggestions are made to stimulate continuation of the work in the communities. Thus, all are involved in the development of their province.

Our leadership on the international level is entrusted to the international leader (general superior) and her six councilors, who help the sisters be sensitive to our common and to their individual charisms. They also support the provincial leadership groups according to the principle of subsidiarity.

Unity and Diversity

The General Chapter with its delegates from all the provinces and vicariates is the highest legislative authority. It guarantees unity in diversity, and diversity in unity. Since we live all over the world, it is understood that developments have not occurred at the same time and in the same way in each place. Therefore, only essential matters are laid down by rule; whatever is subject to time or geographical location is settled by provincial chapters. The General Chapter is also the body which elects the international general administration for six years. A re-election for another six years is possible.

All the other duties are assigned by appointment on the basis of oral or written proposals from the sisters. A term of office is set for three years. After an adequate consultation of the sisters, a second or third term can follow. Whoever retires from office, returns back to the ranks of the sisters and involves herself in other tasks at the service of the community.

Above all leadership and organization, the words of our founder, Theodosius Florentini, the last which he wrote on the eve of his death, show us the way:

“In essential things, unity;
in doubtful things, freedom;
in all things, love."

– Theodoslus Florentini