In 2018 the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ will celebrate 150 years of their presence in America. A number of activities are planned for the coming year to acknowledge a century and a half of service from these dedicated congregation members. To kick off the year-long celebration, an opening prayer service and public reception is scheduled at The Center at Donaldson on Sunday, December 31st from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. ET.
Back in 1868, while our country was dealing with the aftermath of the Civil War, the foundress of the congregation, Catherine Kasper, missioned the first Poor Handmaids to America.
In the first five years of their arrival, the Sisters not only managed the rapidly expanding Angel Guardian Orphanage in Chicago but they also founded St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne, and taught at the St. Paul School in Fort Wayne and St. Mary School in Carlyle Illinois. These good deeds were followed by nearly 400 ministries responding to emerging needs in America.
To fully commemorate the numerous accomplishments of the Poor Handmaids, multiple celebratory events will be held in 2018. Some of these events include a presentation of the Canonization Process of Blessed Catherine Kasper on April 21st and in July the Poor Handmaids will host an event in honor of a Sister who was killed in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II.
In August and September a number of events will be hosted that will offer several opportunities for the public to celebrate with the Poor Handmaids. In December of 2018, a closing prayer service and reception will be held to close out the year-long anniversary celebration. For more information about the Sisters or these events visit poorhandmaids.org.
