On August 28, 1849, in the small village of Niederbronn, France, Blessed Alphonse Maria (then Elisabeth Eppinger) formally founded a Congregation of Sisters who cared for sick, poor, and vulnerable persons in their homes. Widely considered a social mystic and a pioneer in home care, Blessed Alphonse Maria was just shy of 35 years old when she and four other young women moved into a small convent, or Klöesterle, officially marking the establishment of the Congregation, which she named the Daughters of the Divine Redeemer.
Even with a clear and steadfast faith that she and her Sisters were following the will of God, Blessed Alphonse Maria probably could not have imagined that 175 years later, her Sisters and lay people across the globe would be celebrating her and the founding of that small Congregation in Niederbronn.
The original Congregation was founded in 1849, responding to the vast needs of the times, spreading rapidly into other parts of France, Hungary, and Austria, eventually forming three Congregations—Sisters of the Divine Saviour, Daughters of the Divine Redeemer, and Sisters of the Redeemer. Today, these three Congregations serve in 17 countries across five continents.
To celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the founding of the original Congregation, representatives from Sisters of the Divine Saviour, Daughters of the Divine Redeemer, and Sisters of the Redeemer, based out of Hungary, Austria, and Germany, respectively, gathered for a beautiful celebratory Mass at St. Martin Church in Niederbronn. Foundation Day celebrations were also held worldwide, specifically with Sisters of the Redeemer in Würzburg and Tanzania. Sr. Katharina, Sr. Linda, and Sr. Secilia traveled to Elizabeth, Pa. to attend a celebration with the Sisters of the Divine Redeemer.
At a Foundation Day Mass at the Redeemer Sisters’ Chapel, Sr. Ellen said, “The Redeemer Charism, that we received from our Founder has been a loving and dynamic force over these 175 years. The Charism is alive because you live it. May we all take part in keeping our Charism alive and be instruments of God’s redemptive love in our world.”
The mission and legacy that began in Niederbronn 175 years ago continue in the lives of the Sisters, Redeemer Associates, and partners-in-mission every day. In the words of Blessed Alphonse Maria, “The greatest grace that God can give us is to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.”