The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, also known as the Sisters of the Good Shepherd or the Good Shepherd Sisters, is a Catholic religious Order founded by Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in 1835. The international Catholic congregation of religious women is dedicated to promoting the welfare of women and girls, and has a representative at the United Nations, where it has spoken out against human trafficking. The congregation began in France as a branch of the Order of Our Lady of Charity, which merged with the now larger Good Shepherd Sisters in 2014. The Order of Our Lady of Charity had been founded in 1641 by Saint John Eudes, also in France. Prior to founding the Good Shepherd Sisters, Mary Euphrasia (Rose Virginie) Pelletier was named Mother Superior of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Charity in Tours at the age of twenty-nine. While Superior at Tours, she formed a contemplative nuns group, known as the Magdalen Sisters (now known as the Contemplative Communities of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd) for penitent women who wished to live a cloistered life, but were ineligible to become members of Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, and this was the community that became the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1835, with its Motherhouse in Angers, France. Sister Mary was Mother-General of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd for thirty-three years and, in her lifetime one hundred and ten Good Shepherd convents had been established. The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd was a cloistered Order in the past, but is now mostly apostolic. Members follow the Rule of Saint Augustine. Its contemplative and apostolic branches were once separate, but have since merged, so there are now two lifestyles in one institute. The contemplative Sisters are devoted to prayer, and support themselves by making vestments, altar bread, artistic works, creative computer work, graphics, and by composing music.
Recommended Resources
Contemplative Communities: Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
The Contemplative Communities of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd live in community alongside Apostolic Sisters. A statement of what it means to be a contemplative among apostolic sisters is presented along with contemplative contacts from different countries, its congregational leadership team, essential elements, and a discussion of the importance of prayer are included.
http://www.sistersofthegoodshepherdcontemplatives.com/
Founded in 1835, the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd is divided into three regions: Europe/Middle East/Africa, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. The programs, projects and locations of Good Shepherd in the nineteen countries in the Asia Pacific region are defined, and reports from each of the provinces within the region are made available.
http://www.goodshepherd-asiapacific.org.au/
The Congregation of the Good Shepherd Sisters and their lay partners was founded in France in the mid-19th century. The Sisters came to Thailand in 1965 and established their first center in Bangkok, and now operate seven centers around the country, including Bangkok, Nongkai, Chiang Rai, Pattaya, Surrathani, and Phuket. The Order’s projects in Phuket are described, and a calendar of events is presented.
http://goodshepherdphuket.com/
Offering a safe environment for mothers and children, the Los Angeles, California shelter is operated by the Catholic Sisters of the Good Shepherd, who have a long history of dedication to women and girls who have been abused or exploited, and have been running the LA shelter since 1977. Its mission, vision, and leadership are highlighted, and contributions may be made online. Career and volunteer opportunities may be available.
http://www.goodshepherdshelter.org/
The Good Shepherd Sisters are an international Catholic Congregation of Women Religious, with some of its members contemplative, and others apostolic. Its work in Ireland includes working with women in prostitution, assisting victims of trafficking, ministering to women and children who are homeless, providing shelter to vulnerable groups, and support for victims of domestic abuse.
http://www.goodshepherdsisters.com/
Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The Good Shepherd Sisters of Quebec are a community of women who are part of the Catholic Order of the Good Shepherd Sisters. The Quebec ministry was begun by the Saint Vincent de Paul Society around 1850, but developed into the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Good Shepherd Sisters of Quebec. The community life of the Sisters is discussed, its charism is defined, and information about becoming involved is given.
http://www.scimsisters.org/
Sisters of the Good Shepherd National Advocacy Center
The National Advocacy Center educates and develops strategies for social justice issues, and advocates for transforming society to the benefit of all, and particularly the disenfranchised, families, women and children. Its organizational structure is highlighted, and its issues and projects are discussed. Other resources includes an advocacy handbook, suggestions for face-to-face meetings with members of congress, and analysis data.
http://www.gsadvocacy.org/
Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Province of Mid-North America
Founded under the name Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd in 1842, the Sisters arrived in America on the immigration ship, Utica. Today, the Province has ministries across the United States, including sponsored, jointly sponsored, and affiliated ministries, such as domestic violence shelters, programs for troubled girls, recovery centers, and post-abortion counseling. A calendar of events is posted.
http://sistersofthegoodshepherd.com/
