ACN is supporting the spiritual formation of 25 young religious from the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod in India.

By ACN Staff

The congregation of the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod was founded in France and has been established in India ever since 1886. Today the sisters are present in the capital, New Delhi, and in 17 of the federal states of the country.

The sisters are dedicated to the service of the poor and marginalised. They care for the street children and for abused and exploited women, for mentally and physically handicapped children and the elderly and abandoned. They also run treatment centres for drug and alcohol addicts and care for AIDS patients. They provide computer-based tailoring and embroidery courses for the women, so that they can gain a little financial independence and be able to earn a living and support their families. For more often than not, girls from the poorest families cannot even afford to attend school or complete their schooling. The sisters also support women and families with advice and help and endeavour to convey something of the love of God to those around them. They provide religious instruction in the parishes, prepare children and young people for First Holy Communion and Confirmation and generally help the people – especially in the remotest villages – to live by their Faith.

At present the congregation in India has 25 so-called “Juniors” – young sisters who have already taken their temporary vows and are now preparing to make their solemn profession. These women come from all eight provinces into which the congregation is divided in India and now need a time of intensive spiritual formation in order to prepare more deeply before making their final commitment to a life of poverty, chastity and obedience in the service of God and their fellow men. We are proposing to support this special formation programme with a contribution of €10,500.