For generations, the missionary endeavors of Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain and Portugal, and England and Ireland have woven distinct threads of missionary service and faith across Europe. Operating as separate provinces and regions, each cultivated a rich history, responding to the unique needs of their local contexts with dedication. In January 2026, a profound shift occurred as these five distinct missions officially merged to form a single, unified entity: the European Province of the Holy Spirit. This historic unification is far more than an administrative restructuring; it represents a deliberate and prayerful response to both the practical demands of the contemporary era and a deep spiritual calling to incarnate the Gospel through authentic intercultural communion. It embodies a foundational commitment to “live interculturality with interdependency and co-responsibility for our common mission,” transforming a guiding principle into a daily, lived reality.
One Province, Many Gifts: A Bold Venture
This new European Province constitutes a unique entity within the global Congregation. It represents a convergence of three former provinces and two regions, encompassing nine nations—Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Romania, South Tyrol/Italy, Spain, Portugal, England, and Ireland. Within this vast geographic and cultural tapestry, six primary languages are spoken: German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and English. Uniting 311 Sisters from diverse backgrounds—157 from Germany, 84 from Austria, 28 from the Netherlands, 24 from Spain/Portugal, and 18 from England/Ireland—into one canonical body stands as a bold venture of faith.
The practicalities of coordinating administration, harmonizing ministries across borders, facilitating transparent communication, and nurturing shared decision-making across such a diverse landscape cannot be entirely blueprinted in advance. These elements will be discovered, shaped, and refined along the way, through patient dialogue, mutual trust, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This journey requires embracing a certain holy uncertainty, trusting that the path becomes clearer as it is walked together.
Living the Charism: From Principle to Practice
This unification is the SSpS charism made real. It moves “unity in diversity” from a principle into daily practice. The goal is not uniformity, but the deliberate integration of our varied cultures, spiritualities, and histories for a single sacred mission. In a world divided by borders and difference, this choice for interdependency is itself a witness. It proves that community across profound differences is a source of richness and strength.
The new structure is a continuous invitation: to grow in mutual understanding, to practice deep appreciation, and to become more credible witnesses to God’s all-embracing love. The call is to be one mission with many voices, sharing the timeless story through newly united lives
A Thoughtful Farewell: Honoring the Past to Build the Future
This unification required a meaningful closure. As missions prepared to integrate, the provinces/regions carefully honored the end of long-held, familiar structures. This transition was guided not by decree, but by intentional acts of farewell—through liturgy, shared stories, and gratitude for archival histories.
These rituals served a vital pastoral role. They held the complex mix of gratitude and grief, making space for both mourning and hope. They affirmed that each unique heritage would not be forgotten, but would instead join others—like distinct flames uniting to create a single, brighter light.
Outgoing leaders framed this moment not as a loss, but as the purposeful completion of faithful stewardship. They acknowledged the gift of past autonomy while clearly affirming that our current world—and the Spirit’s call—now demands a new model. This is a conscious choice: to place the vitality of our shared mission above long-cherished independence. It is an invitation to grieve, then to build a unity where diverse gifts create a more powerful witness than any could offer alone.
A New Leadership Team for a New Era
To guide this pioneering journey, a new provincial leadership team, reflective of the province’s diversity, was installed on January 15, 2026. This team embodies the intercultural unity at the heart of the endeavor:
- Provincial Superior: Sr. Anna Maria Kofler (Germany)
- Provincial Councilors: Sr. Debra Sithobekile Ncube (Spain/Portugal), Sr. Ewa Pliszczak (England/Ireland), Sr. Hemma Jaschke (Austria), Sr. Lili Purwanti (Netherlands), and Sr. Christine Müller (Germany).
Their collective wisdom, drawn from different cultural and ministerial contexts, will be instrumental in shepherding the province forward. Simultaneously, the new Provincialate Office of the European Province of the Holy Spirit will be in St. Koloman, Stockerau (Austria), providing a physical heart for this new entity.
Stepping Forward in Faith
This unification moves us decisively forward. Here, diversity is not a barrier, but the fuel for a stronger, more resilient unity. We are clear-eyed about the challenges of weaving so many threads together. We step forward in gratitude for the legacy we carry and with unwavering confidence in the Holy Spirit, the true driver of our mission.
We embrace this intentional, intercultural life as our specific calling. We believe that united service, prayer, and life will form a more compelling testament to divine love. As we learn to listen deeply, share responsibility genuinely, and celebrate our differences with joy, our “one song of praise” will gain a new beauty and power—a direct answer to the world’s hopes. ….. This is a daring act of faith. This is the new chapter.
