|
WHO ARE WE?
We are women who have consecrated our lives to God
in the Church. Dedicated to the inner-city apostolate
in the homes of the sick. Living and sharing in community
life. Through the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
MISSION
Today the Handmaids of Mary continue, as the early
handmaids of Mary did in the nineteenth century, the
same compassionate care to the sick and the dying
in private homes, free of charge, and to all, regardless
of disease, race, social status or religion.
The sisters are registered or licensed nurses who
care for the physical as well as the spiritual and
emotional needs of their patients, especially those
who are dying. Home nursing is the main apostolate
of the congregation. The sisters also reach out to
patients in hospitals, clinics and convalescent homes
for the elderly.
With such a widespread ministry, there are many ways
in which people come to know us. Some are referred
by hospitals as they plan for discharge or enter into
hospice. Others come to know us through the Church,
doctors, nurses, chaplains or family members of patients
who have benefited from our services.
We also have the advantage of being bilingual, enabling
us to reach out to those in the community who do not
speak English.
HISTORY
Our Institute of the Handmaids of Mary was born in
answer to the sick people's needs who died at home
without any help.
In the year 1851, D. Miguel Martinez, a priest, saw
the many sick people languished in their own homes
without even the most basic care and above all, the
spiritual strength which would comfort them in their
pain and their fear of death. He therefore conceived
the idea of founding a religious order whose specific
aim would be the care of the sick in their own homes.
So on 15 August 1851, the Institute of the Handmaids
of Mary was born. Soon M.Soledad would have to take
the govern of the Institute when D.Miguel left. With
her vigorous spirit M.Soledad founded new houses where
the sisters with love, selflessness, squander prodigies
of charity wherever there is a fellow soul in need.
Historically the sisters have been instrumental in
providing quality care to those in need as in Spain
during the cholera epidemic, and Spanish revolutions,
to the point of converting some of their convents
into emergency hospitals.
On October 1887 M.Soledad died in Madrid, leaving
the Institute well established. It had already reached
the far side of the Atlantic, and the number of houses
founded by her had risen to-------
On the 5th February 1950 M.Soledad was beatified,
and the 25th January 1970 was her Canonisation.
Today the sisters continue her ministry of care and
compassion in----- convents throughout the European,
American, African and Asian continents. Although the
majority of their charitable work is carried out in
the homes, they also do visiting nursing, work in
hospitals, dispensaries, hospices, out patients clinics,
and homes for chronic and convalescent patients, including
missionary work in Africa and in centers with AIDS
patients.
FROM OUR COMMUNITY IN LONDON, WE CARE FOR YOU
Now that we have introduced ourselves, would you
give us the privilege of being available for you?
If we can be of any assistance, please feel free to
contact us by phone or mail. We are delighted to help
you and to pray for your needs ands intentions.
In God's love.
The Sisters of the Handmaids of Mary, London
|
