mybonsecours
the objective of the order is to care for the sick
In 1981, Sr. Justine Cyr, C.B.S wrote a compelling speech for the centennial celebration of the Sisters of Bon Secours in the United States:
"We have reflected deeply on Christ’s mission; bringing healing, life, joy, freedom, and justice to those who suffer. These are the stones which must be the foundation of our second century; these will support us—open us to a new mission…We invite you—our friends, families, associates, co-workers—to join with us as we continue to serve the sick, the poor and the suffering in the United States."
-- Sr. Justine Cyr, C.B.S.
These words remain as just as true today as the Sisters continue to live out the mission and charisma of those who came before them. In the book “A Century of Caring,” it says, “The pioneer sisters sowed the seed; their successors nourished it and brought it to fruition, and the sisters of today move forward in faith to meet their commitment and the challenges of the future in the spirit of Bon Secours and the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.”
Sisters of Bon Secours Celebrate 125 years of Ministry in the United
States
On May 21, 2006, the Sisters of Bon Secours celebrated 125 years of ministry in the United States. The celebration took place in West Baltimore where it all began. Mass was held at St. Martin’s Parish where the pastors, beginning with Fr. John Foley in 1882, have always been very supportive of the Sisters. The original residence of the Sisters was within the boundaries of St. Martin’s Parish, and in 1907, the Sisters opened the first day care center in the country in St. Martin’s Parish. Following the Mass, a reception was held at Bon Secours Hospital in Baltimore, the Sisters’ first hospital in the United States, which opened in 1919. This is also the site of the Sisters’ first convent in the United States.
The Sisters Arrive in America in 1881
It all started when Archbishop James Gibbons of the Baltimore Archdiocese heard about the extraordinary nursing care given by the Sisters of Bon Secours to the sick in their homes in Paris and invited the Sisters to Baltimore, Md., to do home nursing. In response to this request, three Sisters of Bon Secours—Sr. St. Ferdinand from the London Convent and Sr. St. Flavie from the convent in Dublin, who were accompanied by Mother St. Domitille, superior of the convent in Dublin—arrived in the United States on May 18, 1881.
The Baltimore Sun wrote of their arrival:
"Three sisters of the Order of Bon Secours, anxiously expected in Baltimore for some time, arrived early yesterday morning, having reached New York the night before on the steamer Parthia of the Cunard Line, after a trip of eleven days from Queenstown…With the exception of occasional fogs, they had not a bad crossing…They will immediately begin to prepare for the installation and reception of other sisters who are to join them in a short time… Thus will be established the first foundation of the “Soeurs du Bon Secours” in America. The object of the order is particularly the care of the sick of all denominations suffering from diseases of any character, whether infectious, contagious or innocuous…"
