News

“Have courage – courage to set out, courage to serve, courage to live”: under this motto, the Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena in King William’s Town are celebrating their 150th anniversary. 

A solemn opening ceremony for the jubilee year took place at St Ursula’s in Augsburg, the place from which the first Sisters set out for South Africa 150 years ago.

Commemoration of their Order’s shared history and charism

Among those taking part in the celebrations were Sr Christiane Sartorius OP and Sr Dagmar Fasel OP from the Dominican Sisters of Oakford.

Together with other German-speaking Dominican Sisters from Landsberg, Wettenhausen and Strahlfeld, they reflected on the shared history and charism of their Order. Sr Katharina Hemmers OP, Chair of the Association of Dominican Sisters in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (AGOP), also took part in the ceremony.

All the Sisters of the Order are united by the same mission

They are all united by the same mission: “Rooted in the mission of Jesus, we are shaped by the spirit of St Dominic and St Catherine of Siena. We recognise our special mission in proclaiming the message of Jesus with his all-encompassing commitment to life.”

Pioneers with the courage and confidence to venture into the unknown

The anniversary celebrations began with a festive Mass, celebrated by Father Gerfried Bramlage OP together with the Sisters. Sr Benedikta Hintersberger OP also addressed the assembled guests. The founding Sisters had the courage and faith to venture into the unknown. Where do we need courage and faith today as we continue on the path of our vocation? 

During the subsequent ceremony, Sr Josefa Thusbaß OP presented the history of the Dominican Sisters of Augsburg in an impressive PowerPoint presentation and provided insights into the development of the Congregation over one and a half centuries.

Alongside the celebrations in Augsburg, celebrations were also held in Johannesburg

The Dominican Sisters of King William’s Town and Oakford, Natal, are linked by a shared history in South Africa. In parallel with the celebrations in Augsburg, the start of the jubilee year was also marked in Johannesburg. There, Sr Kamfwa Mutale OP, Sr Paula-Mary van der Walt OP and Sr Alison Munro OP took part in the festive Mass.

The courage to set out, the courage to serve, the courage to live

There is a special reason why the opening of the jubilee year took place in Augsburg: 150 years ago, courageous Dominican Sisters set out from here for South Africa. They embarked on a journey into an uncertain future, sustained by their faith and their desire to serve others. Their courage, determination and dedication continue to shape the community to this day and are the inspiration for the jubilee motto: Courage to set out, courage to serve, courage to live.

Text & Translation Martina Schneider
October 2026