SISTER OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Sister of the Holy Family –  Sister Henriette-Marie Josephe, S.S.F.                                                                                     “Bride of Christ – humble and devout servant of the slaves”                                           “Witnessing God’s transformational love by bringing hope and healing to all”                      “I believe in God.  I hope in God.  I love.  I want to live and die for God.” –  Henriette Delille

Foundress:  Venerable Henriette Delille                                                                                             Co-Foundresses:  Juliette Gaudin                                                                                                                                            Josephine Charles

Place:  New Orleans, Louisiana

Year:  1842 A.D.

Her Charism:  True to the divine inspiration of her foundress, this African-American Sister is a prophetic witness in proclaiming the Gospel message of compassion, liberation, healing, and empowerment to all peoples, with a preferential love for the poor, the powerless, and especially families.  Always dependent upon Divine Providence, she stands as a “gleaner” at the edge of society where Christ is encountered in word, silence, and action.  The original Community of Creole Sisters provided care for those on the bottom rung of antebellum society, administering to the elderly, nursing the sick, and teaching people of color who had limited education opportunities.  Through her varied ministries to elevate the dignity of her brother and sisters, today this Sister spends herself in constant prayerfulness, spontaneous generosity and charity, and diligent labor as she lives in one heart and one mind on her way to God.