The origin of the Congregation of The Augustinian Sisters of the Most Holy
Annunciation goes back to the beginning of the XVI century at San Giovanni Valdarno, in Italy.
The after effects of the war in the XVth century were innumerable. The most notable consequence of the war was starvation and various types of contagious diseases. The most common and horrible disease at this period was plague. Dead boddies in the street were a common sight at that time. Maria di Jacopo Fantosi, a rich and pious lady, filled with mercy and compassion started to help the dying and diseased. Slowly many other ladies attracted by this service started to come forward to join Maria di Jacopo and for many years they continued in their charitable service.
By 1925 many other cloistered communities from different places joined with them. In 1945 Holy Father approved this community as a Pontifical Congregation. The institute adapted slowly many other activities. In 1964 the missionary activities of the congregation were expanded out of Italy by opening a house at Mozambique, Africa. In 1987 the missionary service of the congregation was started in India.
As an Augustinian Sister the main reason of living together in the community is:
- To live in the community to look for God tirelessly being of one mind and one heart to rise in the knowledge of Him and in the joyous acceptance of His will’
- To bear witness to the unity of the believers in Christ.
- To lead others to the knowledge of the truth through apostolic activities.
The essential element of the Spirituality of the Congregation is charitable mission for the Evangelization.
The special Patrones Mother Mary believed in Gods word and committed herself and co-operated with Gods plan for; the salvation of the world. The members of the Congregation also whichever mission field and wherever they may be. Join with the Blessed Mother Mary and walk together with her and bring the redemptory fruits of Jesus to the world. Every form of the apostolic activities of the Congregation expresses itself as a vivid sense of fraternity and sefvice. In imitation of the Blessed Mother, the Congregation helps everyone, without any distinction of cast and creed, in their onward path to heaven.
The first Jerusalem community is the model on which St.Augustine wished his religious community to grow. So all the properties are considered to be in common and shared by all. The superior distributes everything to everyone according to one’s needs. |