Good Shepherd Sisters

The Sisters of the Good Shepherd (called also Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd) is a Roman Catholic monastic order dedicated to a mission of reconciliation and mercy. [cite web|title=North American Sisters of the Good Shepard|url=http://www.goodshepherdsistersna.com/home_page.htm|accessdate=July 14, 2007] The Institute of the Good Shepherd is a branch of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge, founded in 1641 by Blessed Jean Eudes, at Caen, France. The order is particularly devoted to the care, rehabilitation, and education of girls and young women of dissolute habits, who wish to do penance for their iniquities and to lead a Christian life.

The organization was given new impulse for development by Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in Angers, France in 1835. Thirty-three years she was mother-general of the Good Shepherd, and at her death in 1868, she left 2067 professed sisters, 384 novices, 309 Touriere sisters, 962 "Magdalens", 6372 "penitents", and 8483 children of various classes. Angers had seen great changes since 1829, when Mother Euphrasia had come with five sisters to found the house. Within thirty-three years one hundred and ten convents had been founded, sixteen provinces established, in France, Belgium, Holland, Rome, Italy, Germany, Austria, England, Scotland, Ireland, Asia, Africa, the United States and Chile. Under her successor, Mother Mary St. Peter Coudenhove, in twenty-four years, eighty-five houses were founded, and thirteen new provinces established, making eleven in Europe, two in Africa, nine in North America, five in South America and one in Oceania. [cite web | title = Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd | work = Catholic Encyclopedia | url = http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06647c.htm | access date = 2007-06-01]

The Good Shepherd is a cloistered order and follows the Rule of Saint Augustine.

The order is divided into two groups Apostolic Sisters and Contemplative sisters. The Apostolic Sisters work within the community they reside, they work in various areas:
* Community outreach workers
* Special education teachers
* Social workers
* Youth development workers
* Advocates for social and systemic change
* nurses
* administrators
* psychologists
* hospital chaplains
* prison ministers The Contemplative Sisters live in relative solitude devoted to contemplative prayer, they support themselves by:
* Making vestments
* Supplying altar breads to parishes
* Artistic works
* Creative computer work – designing graphics, cards and composing music.

In modern times, Good Shepherd Sisters take active part in religious and social service in different countries of the world. They are active in fighting against prostitution and human trafficking in poor countries of Asia. [cite web | title = Combating Prostitution | work = Catholic.net News | url = http://www.catholic.net/rcc/Periodicals/cwr/Feb2000/Thailand.html | access date = 2007-06-01]

References

External links

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06647c.htm Good Shepherd Sisters in Catholic Encyclopedia]
* [http://www.goodshepherdsisters.org/ Good Shepherd Sisters Vocations in North America]
* [http://www.goodshepherdsistersna.com/ The Sisters of the Good Shepherd in North America]
* [http://www.goodshepherd.com.au/story/pelletier.html Good Shepherd Sisters in Australia]
* [http://www.handcraftingjustice.org/ HandCrafting Justice]
* [http://www.gsvolunteers.org/ Good Shepherd Volunteers]
* [http://www.gsadvocacy.org/ National Advocacy Center]
* [http://www.phillymediators.org/ Good Shepherd Mediation Program]