Our Charism & Spirit
Margaret Mary Healy Murphy founded the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate in 1893 in San Antonio, Texas, with a charism for ministering to the poor in their need.
The spirit of our foundress was one of faith and trust in God and compassion for those in need.
We believe we are called by God to be women of faith and trust who live together in simplicity, humility and love to manifest the compassion of Jesus to the poor, especially those who are denied respect for their human dignity.
Our works in education, pastoral ministry, social work and health care are an expression of this compassionate presence.
In order to be imbued with the spirit of the Gospel and that of Mother Margaret, we try to live in such a way that the light of the Holy Spirit guides our life and the fire of the Holy Spirit quickens our love; we endeavor to be open and responsive, like Mary, to the needs of people in the different situations in which we find ourselves. (Constitutions. p.3, #3)
GENERAL CHAPTER 2023 – DIRECTION STATEMENT 2023-2027
As Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate, we re-commit ourselves to be a prayerful, compassionate, hopeful presence in our world.
Recognizing our own limitations, we collaborate with others to promote justice at every opportunity. We commit ourselves to focus our energy, assets and ministries to be instruments of the compassion of Jesus to the poor, especially those who are victimized by injustices such as human trafficking, racism, poverty, and deprivation of education, housing, health, and homeland. We will also diligently implement our deep desire to protect the environment.
We commit ourselves to welcoming new life to our Congregation, to deep listening and sharing with each other as we negotiate the current evolution of religious life, and to gentleness with our Sisters, especially the most vulnerable.
We make this commitment as faithful daughters of the Servant of God, Margaret Mary Healy Murphy, as we share her trust in Divine Providence.
We are here to make a difference, a day at a time, for as long as it takes to make the world a place of justice and compassion…It is by our deeds that we express our faith and make it real in the lives of others and the world.
To Heal A Fractured World
by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks