2. Missionary Sisters of the Assumption
Aspects of the history & charism (which means our spirit)

3. Presentation to Maryvale College

4. In 1849 Bishop Devereux asked for
Assumption sisters to come to
Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape
& open schools.
I would like to tell you a little
of the early sisters & how we
became to be in Maryvale.

5. 27 August 1849 – Antwerp
3 December 1849 – Port Elizabeth

6. Amelia de Henningsen Mother Gertrude Notre Mere
Born:
Brussels 21 April 1822
Died:
Grahamstown
1 November 1904

7. The journey lasted over 3 months
On the Oceanie:
Sailors mutinied
Pirates attacked
Fire broke out
Food went rotten
Very little fresh water
Most passengers became seasick

8. Between 3 & 11 December the Sisters prepared for their journey from Port Elizabeth to Grahamstown.
They washed their clothes and packed the wagons.

10. “The Missionary Sisters of the Assumption”
The Assumption Sisters were the first religious Sisters in Africa south of the Equator
Pioneer Sisters of South Africa
Many, even priests, thought they should not be here as the time was not ripe for women religious in SA
Misunderstandings, changes due to circumstances & difficulties in communication obliged Notre Mere to break from the founding congregation & so began:
“The Missionary Sisters
of the Assumption”

12. Two novices came from France with
Mother Gertrude.
They made their vows as sisters on 21 December 1849 only 6 days after arriving in Grahamstown

13. Two Schools were started on 15 January 1850
the first convent schools in SA.
Fee paying children in
“Uncle Tom’s Cabin”
A free school in a stable

14. The Life of the Sisters in the early years was very different from their experiences of convent life in Europe. They had to cope with many difficulties.
Everything was “new”
They did not have a proper/private dwelling
They were short of staff & money
War broke out on Christmas day 1850

15. At night the Sisters together with the orphans & many from the town slept in the cellar of St Patrick’s Church

16. The Sisters were involved in many charitable works:
Attended the sick
Cared for orphans
Buried the dead
Ran a lottery for funds for a hospital
Organised a library for the soldiers
Gave religious instructions
Sang in the Church choir
Sacristans
Helped other religious who came to SA

18. To raise much needed cash the skilful Sisters did needlework for the local community
The Sisters started a fruit & vegetable garden to provide for the children & themselves.
They grew flowers for Church.
There were difficulties due to
different climate.

19. During the first 9 years in SA Notre Mere experienced many difficulties & hardships
1854 death of Bishop Devereux who was a friend and supporter
Difficulties with the local priest
A maid, Jane, ‘was out of her mind’
Frontier wars
Shortage of personnel & funds
Stables used for free school washed away

20. In August 1858 I was struck down with a severe attack of pleurisy & given up by the doctors. On receiving the sacraments I was restored to health.
It was during this illness that I saw Our Lady I thought I was drowning, felt the rush of waters in my ears & heard the waves dashing over me, when I perceived her on a boat, with the child on one arm & the other stretched out to save me.
From that moment, I felt sure I would get better, though the doctors had given up hope.
Notre Mere’s Memoirs

21. As a recovery programme the Doctor recommended the Notre Mere
take a rest on a farm &
go horse riding for recreation .
She followed his instructions!

22. Mother Gertrude was given the name “Notre Mere”
during the 1850 war - & it remained with her.
Some aspects of her life:

23. She had a very special devotion to the
Blessed Sacrament
This has remained part of our Assumption Tradition as can be seen in the chapels of our convents

24. Notre Mere’s Motto
I am
the way
the truth
the life

25. Notre Mere’s psalm: O God, you are my God, for you I long;
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like a dry weary land without water.
(Ps 62)

26. She committed
her life to Christ

27. Selected sayings of Notre Mere
Show God your love for him by your zeal & by charity
without limit.
Give yourself unreservedly to God;
become a docile instrument in his hands.
Follow the voice of your conscience.
Integrity, justice & honesty are stronger than sentiment
even though they can cost much pain.
Be large minded as well as large hearted.
Don’t strain at gnats;
practise true charity & common sense
not like people who are pigeon hearted.

28. “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full”
John 10:10
“The glory of God is the person
Fully Alive”
St Ireaneaus
Notre Mere
Fully Alive!

29. Sr Gertrude leaves for South Africa in August 1849
Paris
Religious of Assumption founded in 1839 by
Mere Marie Eugenie.
Sr Gertrude leaves for South Africa in August 1849
Over the years Sisters are sent to work in African countries: Egypt, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
1932: Sisters sent to Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland.
Many Irish women joined MSA
First Sisters arrive in Port Elizabeth South Africa on 3 December Arrive in Grahamstown 15 December Became a separate congregation.
1958: 4 sisters sent to USA to start a school; withdrawn in 1964.

30. Our roots in Africa

31. MSA apostolate in Africa
Currently in:
South Africa
Worked in:
Egypt
Malawi
Nigeria
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Sisters in formation from:
Congo
Kenya
Nigeria

32. often we not directly involved & our aim is to enable others
Our mission is in
Education
Health care
Faith formation
often we not directly involved
& our aim is to enable others

33. as the crest of her sisters
MSA Crest
Notre Mere chose the symbol of the anchor & the motto, Adveniat Regnum Tuum
as the crest of her sisters

34. MSA Emblem Shaped as the seal used by our early sisters.
Southern Cross is a reminder of our origins in the southern hemisphere.
The Cross
The anchor is our oldest sign.
It originates from our beginnings
in the Cape of Good Hope.
It is a sign of hope & of being “anchored” in the steadfast love of God.

35. Charism & Heritage Statement
The Missionary Sisters of the Assumption grew from the seven sisters, sent to South Africa by the Religious of the Assumption in 1849.
The first religious women in South Africa, came at the request of Bishop Devereux of Grahamstown.
His vision was that they would assist in
Faith formation,
Education
Health care

36. In January 1850, they established two schools:
one fee-paying (to provide for their support) &
the other free
From this small beginning schools were later
established in other parts of South Africa,
Africa & Ireland.
Among these are:
Maryvale College, Johannesburg
Assumption Convent Malvern, Germiston
Assumption Convent Primary School, PN

38. Maryvale College grew out of the first Assumption
School to be established in Johannesburg.
The parish priest, Fr Philip Erasme OMI, who
had been educated by the Jesuits in Graham-
stown, drove personally to Grahamstown to ask
the Assumption Sisters to start a girls school.
They did so in 1939
Fr Philip Erasme founded St Paul’s Parochial Primary School for
boys in 1943.
In 1990 the two schools merged to become Maryvale College:
A vibrant, co-educational, Catholic School which offers quality education in the South African context.

39. The crest of the College combines
elements of the two schools and speaks clearly of its spirit.
Maryvale College is a small dynamic school that
offers quality Catholic education to learners
from a range of backgrounds.
We aim to educate so that our learners are not
content to be consumers but to make a
meaningful contribution to their world.

40. Prayer at the heart of all we do
We integrate
Academic excellence Gr % passes
Service (Interact, peer counselling, community service group)
A healthy all-round human development (sport, drama, choir, debating) & the services of a school counsellor
Prayer at the heart of all we do

41. happy, caring, spiritual environment where young people can
Maryvale College is a
happy, caring, spiritual environment
where young people can
grow into responsible members & leaders of society
who make a difference in their communities

42. The Sword The Anchor The Cross
The two-edged sword of the Word of God guides staff & learners. Prayer at the heart of the school community. St Paul was put to death by the sword
The Anchor
God’s faithfulness & steadfastness in our lives & our striving to be true to God, to ourselves & to one another.
The
Cross
Christ’s gift of himself & our response in love.
We form all learners in love of Christ.
We follow the RE programme & worship together.

43. adopted as a principle of behaviour
Motto is a phrase
adopted as a principle of behaviour

44. Honour the Lord
through learning

45. Mary assumed into heaven
In all our work of humble service & in our prayer
Mary assumed into heaven
is our example & sign of hope

46. Thy Kingdom Come