Who We Are

We share in Jesus' mission of bringing more abundant life to God's people, especially to those who are poor, by announcing the liberating message of the gospel and by the witness of our lives.

WELCOME to our website and to our home in Villa Maria, Pennsylvania!

We are a group of religious women dedicated to works of peacemaking, justice, and care for Earth through education, health care, social service, and pastoral ministry. We currently serve in Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, and in Haiti.

Spirituality

Mary's humility inspires us to lead simple lives, and her fidelity to God's Spirit challenges us to be a prophetic presence in the Church and in the world. Today we number approximately 181 sisters whose lives of service are strengthened by dedication to prayer and contemplation. We look forward to a future of continuing commitment and service.

We invite you to explore our website and become involved through the many opportunities for membership and partnership with us.

We join other religious women around the world through the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and other organizations in order to help create a peacful world, bring justice for all people, and promote care for Earth. Our commitment to religious life calls us to service and contemplation in the spirit of the Gospels and our traditions.

www.lcwr.org
www.sistersofwpa.org
www.jubileeusa.org
www.justiceforimmigrants.org
www.networklobby.org
www.paxchristiusa.org

History

In the village of Dommartin-sous-Amance, France, Marie-Antoinette Potier wanted to give her life to God, and saw in service to the poor children of her village an opportunity to share her love of God with them.

In 1854, she opened her home as a school, a workroom and an orphanage, and with Father John Joseph Begel, pastor of Dommartin and Laitre, she set about revitalizing Christian life in his two parishes through the care and education of girls. Marie-Antoinette and Father Begel believed that "to educate a woman is to educate a family." So in addition to religious instruction, the women of the area were trained in lace-making, which enabled them to gain economic independence.

As more women joined Marie-Antoinette in service, they sought to share a communal way of life and, with the guidance of Father Begel, petitioned the bishop of the diocese of Nancy for approval for their foundation as a religious community. In 1858, they received the name Sisters of the Humility of Mary, and Marie-Antoinette became Mother Madelaine.

In 1864, Bishop Amadeus Rappe of Cleveland invited the Community to the United States to serve French immigrants in his diocese. He provided a place in Pennsylvania for the Motherhouse, now called Villa Maria Community Center.

The entire community of eleven sisters, along with four orphans, emigrated to America, leaving behind their homeland, their families and their foundress, Mother Madelaine, who died in France three months before their voyage.

Through many hardships, the Community grew - building schools and hospitals, serving parishes and reaching out to meet the needs of people who were poor and neglected.

In the spirit of our founders, we respond to the changing needs of our day through a diversity of ministries. What does not change is our dedication to the Humility of Mary, in whose spirit we pray and work for the transformation of the world through justice and peace.

Click here for Directions to Villa Maria Community Center