Introduction to the community
The Basotho Community of St Mary at the Cross was founded in Leribe, Lesotho, in 1923, under the Community of St Michael & All Angels, Bloemfontein. In 1959, CHN Sisters were invited to take over this work and started at Leribe in 1962. They had invited the Sisters of S. Mary at the Cross to become members of CHN and the full amalgamation of the two communities was completed in 1964. As a multi-racial community, the witness against racism at a time when apartheid was in the ascendant in South Africa was an important strand of the Community’s vocation. New members have joined the Community in succeeding years, and they have continued the evangelistic and pastoral work which is also an important part of the CHN vocation. Sisters are involved in children’s work, prison visiting, as well as other outreach in both Lesotho and South Africa. There is a church sewing room and wafer room. The Sisters in Leribe run a hostel for secondary school students who live too far away to travel daily. Some Sisters are ‘Volunteers of Love’ for families where there is HIV/AIDS.
This work is enabled and strengthened by the daily round of prayer, both corporate and private, which is at the heart of the Community’s Rule. A daily Eucharist at the centre of this life of prayer is the aim, but in some houses this is not always possible owing to a shortage of priests. There is a small guest house.
Contact details
Address for correspondence: Convent of the Holy Name, PO Box 22, Ficksburg 9730, Republic of South Africa
Community information
Bishop Visitor: Rt Revd Adam Taaso
Leadership
Provincial Superior: Sister Julia
Assumed office January 2019
Assistant Superior: Vacant
Membership
Sister Calista
Sister Hilda Tsepiso
Sister Angelina
Sister Josetta
Sister Gertrude
Sister Lineo
Sister Exinia Tsoakae
Sister Lebonhang
Sister Malefu
Sister Nthati
2018 – Sister Alphonsina, aged 96, professed 63 years
17 Jun 2020 Sister Mpolokeng
5 Aug 2020 Sister Mary Selina
13 Aug 2020 Sister Ryneth