The Beginnings of the "Holy Cross Convent" in Aliwal North
When the Superior General of the Holy Cross Sisters in Menzingen, Switzerland, M. Paula Beck (the third successor of Mother Bernarda), arrived on visitation for the already over 100 Sisters in South Africa, in December 1903, Bishop Mac Sherry of Port Elizabeth approached her for her co-operation. He was concerned about the distant outpost of his diocese, the historic town of Aliwal North.
The bishop knew that for the development of the Church in the area, he needed the presence of a community of Sisters. The Holy Cross Sisters with their numerous vocations from Europe were available for the Church in Aliwal North.
The Mother General was making herself responsible for the new foundation. The plan for the building was drawn up by the Swiss architect Hardegger. The funds were raised by the generosity of the Mother General in Menzingen and the German Convent in Altötting.
The foundation stone of the Holy Cross Convent was blessed on 10th October 1906. The following year - 16th October 1907 -saw the official opening of the "Convent".
When the Superior General of the Holy Cross Sisters in Menzingen, Switzerland, M. Paula Beck (the third successor of Mother Bernarda), arrived on visitation for the already over 100 Sisters in South Africa, in December 1903, Bishop Mac Sherry of Port Elizabeth approached her for her co-operation. He was concerned about the distant outpost of his diocese, the historic town of Aliwal North.
The bishop knew that for the development of the Church in the area, he needed the presence of a community of Sisters. The Holy Cross Sisters with their numerous vocations from Europe were available for the Church in Aliwal North.
The Mother General was making herself responsible for the new foundation. The plan for the building was drawn up by the Swiss architect Hardegger. The funds were raised by the generosity of the Mother General in Menzingen and the German Convent in Altötting.
The foundation stone of the Holy Cross Convent was blessed on 10th October 1906. The following year - 16th October 1907 -saw the official opening of the "Convent".
Convent, Provincial House, Novitiate House
Since its erection the "Convent" has also been the Provincial House and Novitiate House of the Holy Cross Sisters in South Africa. This was the first station for the young Sisters and Postulants from Switzerland, Germany and later also from Ireland, to start their formation for the "Religious Life"
Also Retreats for Sisters, Professions, Jubilees, Provincial Chapters and Superiors' Conferences were held in the Convent.
Provincial Superiors (called 'Vicars' until South Africa was erected as a Province of the Holy Cross Congregation in 1930) based in Aliwal North:
Sr Mary Therese Naegeli, 1906 - 1923
Sr Marguerite M. Hospenthal, 1923-1930
Sr Dominic Goebel, 1930 - 1938
Sr Gertrudis Weissenberger, 1938 - 1953
Sr Pia Regina Loretz, 1953 - 1971
Sr Luitgard Liesenfeld, 1971 -
when the Provincial House was moved to Belgravia, Johannesburg:
Holy Cross Provincialate,
PO Box 33215, JEPPESTOWN 2043
E-Mail: holycrossfrancis1@telkomsa.net
Since 2013 the Provincial House is in Linden, Johannesburg:
Holy Cross Provincialate
33, Thirteenth Street
PO BOX 44807
ZA-2104 Linden
Johannesburg
E-mail: holycrossmonica@telkomsa.net
The Formation House moved to Victory Park, Johannesburg:
House of Formation,
PO Box 44080,
Linden/JHB, 2104,
E-Mail: formation@telkomsa.net
Since its erection the "Convent" has also been the Provincial House and Novitiate House of the Holy Cross Sisters in South Africa. This was the first station for the young Sisters and Postulants from Switzerland, Germany and later also from Ireland, to start their formation for the "Religious Life"
Also Retreats for Sisters, Professions, Jubilees, Provincial Chapters and Superiors' Conferences were held in the Convent.
Provincial Superiors (called 'Vicars' until South Africa was erected as a Province of the Holy Cross Congregation in 1930) based in Aliwal North:
Sr Mary Therese Naegeli, 1906 - 1923
Sr Marguerite M. Hospenthal, 1923-1930
Sr Dominic Goebel, 1930 - 1938
Sr Gertrudis Weissenberger, 1938 - 1953
Sr Pia Regina Loretz, 1953 - 1971
Sr Luitgard Liesenfeld, 1971 -
when the Provincial House was moved to Belgravia, Johannesburg:
Holy Cross Provincialate,
PO Box 33215, JEPPESTOWN 2043
E-Mail: holycrossfrancis1@telkomsa.net
Since 2013 the Provincial House is in Linden, Johannesburg:
Holy Cross Provincialate
33, Thirteenth Street
PO BOX 44807
ZA-2104 Linden
Johannesburg
E-mail: holycrossmonica@telkomsa.net
The Formation House moved to Victory Park, Johannesburg:
House of Formation,
PO Box 44080,
Linden/JHB, 2104,
E-Mail: formation@telkomsa.net
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With the move to Aliwal North, the development of the Holy Cross Sisters in Africa really began. During the following years the Congregation opened Convents in the Transkei, the Cape, Transvaal, in Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Zambia. By 1970 the number of Holy Cross Convents in the Province of Southern Africa had risen to 40 and the number of Sisters to about 400.
From the Provincial House in Aliwal North, the centre for the Holy Cross Sisters in Southern Africa, separate Provinces were established: Lesotho Province 1959, Cape Province 1963, Zambia 1963. To the Province of South Africa - erected 1930 -belong the Holy Cross Convents in Ireland, Namibia and Zimbabwe. |
This map - hand drawn in 1949 - shows the Holy Cross Convents/Schools (ca. 70) with ca 700 Sisters, before the erection of Provinces.
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In later years the number of Sisters decreased steadily - also the vocations coming from Europe….
In July 2001 the former "Assisi" (the first Old Age Home for Sisters) was renovated, so that all 12 Sisters (now remaining) could move from the big building (which was still Convent & School) to their "Convent" where they can feel at home after their duties in school.
In July 2001 the former "Assisi" (the first Old Age Home for Sisters) was renovated, so that all 12 Sisters (now remaining) could move from the big building (which was still Convent & School) to their "Convent" where they can feel at home after their duties in school.
First Old Age Home for Sisters
A visit in Aliwal North: The General Administration in 2004 (based in Lucerne, Switzerland) and the Provincial Administration of Lesotho (based in Mohale’s Hoek)
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HOLY CROSS - AN INTERNATIONAL CONGREGATION
The Aliwal foundation was a symbol of the new missionary direction being taken by the Holy Cross Congregation. With Mother M. Paula Beck, the third Superior General after Mother Bernarda, who was the first General to visit the Holy Cross Missions in South Africa, the doors to the world were opened to America and Asia: A mission had been started in Chile in 1901 and in India in 1906. The Holy Cross Congregation today is present on four Continents: (Country and the first Convent established) Europe: Switzerland (Menzingen 1844), Germany (Altötting 1896), Italy (Sondrio 1888), England (Wimbledon 1902) Ireland (Belfast 1930) Africa: South Africa (Umtata 1883) Lesotho (St Gabriel 1908) Namibia (Windhoek 1922) Zambia (Livingstone 1936) Zimbabwe (Mutero 1956) South America: Chile (Rio Bueno 1901) Argentina (Buenos Aires 1940) Peru (Callao 2002) Asia: India (Trivandrum 1906) Sri Lanka (Kayts 1930) www.holycross-menzingen.org www.schwestern-hl-kreuz.de |
Sr Alma Kohler
Sr Telma Manickanamparampil
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Our Jubilee year 2007 brought changes for the whole Congregation. During the General Chapter in Menzingen all Sisters received the following joyful message:
Dear Sisters We have a new Superior General! Today, 26. July 2007, the delegates for the General Chapter have chosen Sr. Alma Kohler from the Cape Province as the Superior General for the next term of office beginning in January 2008. ~ Sr Anne Roch General Superior
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Looking back 100 years we owe a tribute to our many Holy Cross Sisters who have worked and prayed here and now rest in our Cemeteries near the Orange River.
"Dear Sisters, you are not forgotten. Thank you for your contribution that we can now celebrate our Centenary Year." |
