One of the decisions made during our [Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence] 23rd General Chapter held in July 2016 was to convene an international gathering in Germany of our Associates of the Congregation by whatever name they are called—Associates, Providence Family, Companions of Divine Providence, or Circle of Friends—and their appropriate directors.  The Pilgrimage took place from April 20-27 and included participation by ten Associates from each of the three Provinces and their Directors.  Added to the group were translators and staff. The experience allowed our Associates to get to know the “places of our Foundation” and experience the Founders of our Congregation in a deeper sense as they visited the places where our Founders ministered and where their spirit is still alive.

The Associates stayed at the Evangelical Marian Sisters’ Retreat House in Darmstadt which is located close to the Marien Hospital, a hospital that had belonged to the Sisters of Divine Providence until recent times.  There they enjoyed a welcome reception and dinner.  The Hospital’s Conference Room was also the site of Spiritual input and orientation for the pilgrimage.  These two places became a “home base” for their many day trips.

The pilgrims visited the places that were important in the lives of our Founder, Wilhelm Emmanuel von Ketteler, and our Foundress, Stephanie (Fanny) de la Roche-Starkenfels.  Ketteler was a lawyer before he entered a seminary.  Ketteler was a priest for six years before being named Bishop of Mainz.  Ketteler, aware of the plight of the poor and the worker, became known in Germany as the Social Concerns Bishop.  He was also aware that the Catholic Church was practically enslaved by the government.  It is little wonder that his numerous published sermons and pamphlets included writings such as:

“Freedom, Authority and the Church,” and “The Labor Question and Christianity.”  Ketteler wanted to address unmet needs of the poor and sick of his diocese.

He invited Stephanie de la Roche-Starkenfels, whom he had met before he was ordained a priest, to collaborate with him in this endeavor. Thus, a new Community of Sisters was born and Fanny, later known as Mother Marie de la Roche, became the Co-Founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence.

The Pilgrims traveled to Munster, where young Ketteler was raised.  There they also met members of the Ketteler family who still reside in the area.   And, they participated in Sunday liturgy at the Cathedral of Mainz and had a guided visit at the tomb of Bishop Ketteler.

The pilgrimage included a trip to Neustadt.  There they visited St. Mary House, now occupied by the Sisters of Mercy of Alma.  This facility was St. Mary’s Orphanage where Mother Marie ministered during the last year of her life.  Our Pilgrims were able to see the bedroom occupied by Mother Marie which serves as a “mini archives” related to her.  They prayed at her burial site behind the orphanage which is well maintained by the Sisters of Mercy.

They also went to Finthen, the first motherhouse of the Sisters of Divine Providence, which was constructed through funds that came from Mother Marie’s maternal inheritance.  At Finthen, they visited the General Archives of the Congregation.

Along the way, the Pilgrims stopped at the Convents. There they experienced the hospitality of the Sisters as they joined them for meals or 3:00 pm Kuchen and Kaffee.

The Pilgrims enjoyed a” free” day in Darmstadt where they met the Senior Mayor of the Science City.  Besides taking a city tour, some Pilgrims chose to tour the Heavy-Ions Center, a state Museum.

On the final day of the Pilgrimage, the Associates were back in the Conference Room at Marien Hospital where Prof. Dr. Hermann-Gross-Knacht, theologian and sociologist presented “As long as the financial power is able to trample underfoot the social human right,” based on Ketteler’s and the Catholic Social Teachings.  As the day wrapped up, the Pilgrims had a final reflection and shared ways that they could carry on with the inspiration they gained from participation in the Pilgrimage.  They dis-cussed the possibility of international spiritual networking.  The last day also included an international liturgy together in the chapel of the Marien Hospital and a closing dinner.  Sister Maria Fest, Congregational Leader, greeted the pilgrims with closing remarks during the dinner.

On April 27 the Pilgrims departed for various places around the world.  They left with full hearts, grateful for all they shared together and a strong resolve to carry on in the spirit of Marie de la Roche and Bishop Ketteler.