The First World War brought misery and destruction to Germany. The women and children were wandering without shelter and food. People experienced a reign of terror. The religious congregations and associations were suppressed. Maria Benedicta, a young nurse witnessed the misery of people with a heavy heart. She did not want to reconcile with fate, but she wanted to face the situation with courage and faith in God. She had a vision for a specific mission in those days. It is this vision that was realized in the foundation of congregation-Benedictine sisters of St. Lioba. This was on the feast of Epiphany in 1920. She integrated the monastic ideals of St. Benedict and works of humanitarian nature, such as instruction to the young, caring the sick, the aged, orphans, and the oppressed. The Foundress has spoken in clear terms “NEVER FORSAKE CHARITY” which includes the communion with God and love of the neighbour in serving.
We the Benedictine sisters of St. Lioba understand ourselves as a congregation of consecrated women, rooted in the divine Christ and committed to the well-being of humanity, specially the poor, downtrodden and the marginalized of the society. Our contemplation on God’s mysteries challenges us to the service of His people.
To respond to the needs of the Church. In 1962 three young Indian girls joined the congregation in Germany. Many other girls followed them in the later years. All of them were given professional training in various sciences. In 1972 efforts were made by Mother Prioress Emmanuela Goldmann to start a mission in India. Msgr. Clemens Thottungal, the Exarch of Sagar in Madhya Pradesh gave a warm welcome to the congregation. The first batch of sisters came to India in June 1973. On 18th May 1975 the sisters started the first house at Begumganj in the diocese of Sagar with the blessing of Msgr.Clemens.
True to the testament of the Foundress, “the congregation does not rust but ever be present to the needs and urgent requirements of the Church,” as members increased new houses were opened. Now our congregation is blessed with 117 professed sisters and 45 formees. At present the priory has 17 communities in 10 Dioceses. The Benedictine sisters of St. Lioba put themselves at the disposal of the Church for the education of youth, religious instruction, and charitable and social works.
As a result of ongoing study and evaluation, the sisters realized the urgency to shift the work more and more to the rural areas. The growing number of non-formal schools in many villages is the result of such a reflection. The sisters are set apart for the education of the children and give professional training to work in rural areas. Apart from that they run boarding houses for tribal children, do healing ministry through an integrated health approach, especially women and children. Thus, the sisters try to respond to the needs of their fellow brethren and share Good News with the people.
The Benedictine Sisters of St. Lioba make up a federation of independent priories subject to diocesan law. Priories consist of the Mother house and its branch houses.