Today more than 200 Sisters of Charity – Halifax Associates meet in at least 12 locations across Canada, the eastern United States and Bermuda. In Peru, there is a similar group of women and men called Vicentinas.
What is an Associate?
“When you find a few kindred spirits and you come together with them for prayer, faith-sharing and assisting in ministry, you no longer feel alone on your spiritual journey,” as said by one of our Associates.
Our Constitutions state that we “strive to show forth the love of God by serving those in need in a spirit of humility, simplicity, and charity according to the circumstances of the times”. In living in this way, Sisters and Associates share in the saving mission of Jesus, who is the love of God made visible.
Our particular mission is shaped by the tradition of our founding saints who are called into service of those in need.
Our gift — the power to love as God loves — is our charism.
Charism
The charism or “blessing” is both a communal and personal call, and is so attractive and alluring that it draws us like a magnet unto itself. It compels us to defy the norms of this world — power, money, free time — and calls us to embrace the poor.
Materials
Resources
There are books, CDs, DVDs, and other resources available in the Sisters of Charity Centre in Halifax, NS.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
A Time for Miracles – with Kate Mulgrew
Discovering our Saints – 3 minute overview of St. Elizabeth
Care for our Common Home
Dialogue Guide for On Care for our Common Home
Saint Vincent de Paul
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
FAMVIN – International Vincentian Family
Vincent de Paul – Charity’s Saint (YouTube video)
Sisters of Charity
Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth (New Jersey)
Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati
Sisters of Charity – Leavenworth
Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill
Sisters of St. Martha – Antigonish
Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy – Charleston
Prayer ideas
The Beginning of the Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg
History of the Sisters of Charity Federation
Sister Maryann Seton Lopiccolo explains the history of how the Sisters of Charity Federation developed with stories that highlight the realistic and practical face of Charity in our leaders.
Sister Marie Poole
Sister Marie Poole Founders and Friends – 1 hour long
Sister Marie Poole What Woman Wants, God Wants – 50 minutes long
Sister Marie Poole Vincent, Louise at the Autumn Years – 55 minutes long
Associates serve in:
For more information about Associates in your area, please contact:
Communications Office:
1-844-406-8114
communications@schalifax.ca
In great simplicity and love to listen to God
in prayer, opening the ears of our hearts
to receive his holy word …
tasting it and relishing its delights.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton