Sisters of Christian Charity begin 175th anniversary (Photos)

Organ, piano, trumpet, tympani, and melodic voices filled the Chapel of Mary Immaculate as the Sisters of Christian Charity, Mendham, N.J., began the commemoration of the 175th year of its founding with a liturgical celebration officiated by the Diocese of Paterson, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, on Monday, Aug. 21. Sisters of the Eastern Province, members of the General Leadership from Germany, and guest SCCs of the Western Region attended.

The Sisters of Christian Charity have served over the years in 19 states and in the Archdiocese of Newark at the following parishes and schools: St. Augustine, Newark; St. Gabriel the Archangel, Saddle River; St. Lawrence, Weehawken; St. Michael, Elizabeth; St. Nicholas, Jersey City; St. Rose of Lima, Short Hills; St. Peter & Paul, Hoboken, Hudson Catholic High School, Jersey City and as Vicar for Religious.

The Sisters currently serve at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, South Orange, and Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingstone.

Various commemorative activities taking place throughout 2023-2024 within the Diocese of Paterson are the SCC 10^th Annual Golf Outing, Thursday, Sept. 25 at Fiddler’s Elbow Golf Course and Country Club, Bedminster, NJ; Run for a Nun 5K Walk/Run, in-person/virtual, Oct. 14, Natirar Park, Peapack-Gladstone, NJ; 175th Anniversary Liturgy and Reception, St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Wilkes-Barre, Penna., Nov. 4; Christmas Open House at Villa Pauline Retreat and Spiritual Center, First Motherhouse in the East, Sunday, Dec. 10; A Jubilee Tea at the Villa, Thursday, May 2.

The foundress of the Sisters of Christian Charity, Pauline von Mallinckrodt was born on June 3, 1817, in Minden, Germany. As a young woman, she cared for the poverty-stricken families of Paderborn, nursed their sick, and brought them food. In 1840, her charitable work extended to opening a kindergarten and a school for blind children.

Pauline’s love for God and her care for those in need led her to consider a religious vocation. She was advised to begin her own community. On Aug. 21, 1849, Pauline, together with three other women, began the Sisters of Christian Charity (SCC), which spread rapidly throughout Germany, then to North and South America and the Philippines.

As the needs of the Church changed, so did the Sisters’ ministries expand to meet those needs: education, healthcare and social work of various kinds. The Companions of Pauline carry on the work and spirit of Blessed Pauline. These women and men embrace Pauline’s charism and live in her spirit of prayer and loving, joyful service to others. Pauline von Mallinckrodt died April 30, 1881, and was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 14, 1985.

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