Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Port Louis (Fides Service)- This year the community of Franciscan Missionaries of Mary at St Anne’s parish in Stanley, Mauritius in the Indian Ocean is marking thirty years of service.
Spiritual daughters of St Francis of Assisi, since their arrival in Mauritius in 1963 the Sisters strive to live Franciscan spirituality spreading hope and joy.
Since 4 October 1975 the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary have worked at St Anne’s parish. The mission house was opened by Sr. Julie Razanamiandria from Madagascar and Sr. Marie-Claire Steck from France. The two were joined by local born Sr. Marie-Thérèse Minien and Sr. Lily Thomas from India
Seeing the number of children in the parish the parish priest asked the nuns to open a school. At first the school was in hut with a metal roof. Later it moved the a building in brick.
In these 30 years the school has also served as a World Organisation for Pre-school Education centre and for training teachers from other parts of Mauritius.
The four sisters engaged in different duties according to their different charisma. Sr. Julie and Sr Marie-Claire worked at the school. Sr. Marie-Thérèse Minien, whose charisma was liturgy, started catechism classes and various prayer groups including Charismatic Renewal. Sr. Lily, a trained nurse worked at the local clinic. All four were involved in parish activities and groups including Franciscan Youth, Scout, Catholic Action.
The Sisters also work with local Basic Church Communities at soup kitchens for the poor and at Homes for former prostitutes and drug addicts.
Today at St Anne’s parish there are 5 FMM: Sr Aline Mourade; Sr. Maud Adam; Sr. Mayta Musatte, the Superior in charge of animation and catechesis; Sr. Nadine Tibia in charge of Franciscan Youth and Sr. Sylviane Françoise.
The FMM were founded in India on 6 January 1877 by Marie de la Passion. Today in the world there are 7,800 FMM sisters in 76 different countries. The congregation is at the service of mission with preferential option for the poor. In Mauritius there are 20 Sisters in 4 communities: Vacoas (provincial house), St Anne; Pamplemousses and Chemin-Grenier. The sisters work in evangelisation, education, communications and parish and diocesan pastoral activity. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 25/10/2005 righe 40 parole 442)
