WHO WE ARE
The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd is an international religious congregation within the Catholic tradition, often known as the Good Shepherd Sisters. The vision and mission of the Congregation are based on the Gospel message of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and the foundations of social justice. Expanding on the vision of St. John Eudes from 1641, the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd was founded in France in 1835 by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier to assist women and children most in need.
We are women who believe that every person holds more value than the entire world, that each individual is infinitely loved by God, and that everyone deserves the freedom to discover and experience this merciful love. The mission of the Our Lady of Charity Good Shepherd Congregation remains focused on reconciliation, reaching out to those marginalised by society, especially women and girls, to help them rebuild their lives.
The Congregation is enriched by the presence of apostolic sisters, contemplative sisters, and partners-in-mission who express the call to the mission in their own style of life in different ways. Together, we are all mission partners working to forward the mission.
APOSTOLIC SISTERS
As apostolic sisters, we live our mission of justice, reconciliation, empowering lives, restoring rights, and upholding dignity through active ministry. We address the pressing global and local needs of today through relationship-based programs that address the needs and aspirations of persons and communities.
We are involved in education and training, social services, advocacy and awareness raising, spiritual and pastoral care, prison ministry, residential care, youth development, and many other outreach programs that support and empower those on the margins of society, particularly vulnerable girls, women, and children.
Apostolic Sisters (with visiting sisters)
CONTEMPLATIVE SISTERS
As contemplative sisters, we bear witness to the absolute primacy of God and seek to be a means of reconciliation through our prayer, faithfulness to the Gospel, solitude, and silence. We hold in prayer the whole Universe and support the endeavours of our sisters who are engaged in the active ministry of reconciliation.
While we keep sacred space to nourish our relationship with God, we seek to understand how we can be a visible presence and a sign of God’s immediacy and care.
PARTNERS IN MISSION
The Congregation believes in the power of collaboration and working together with partners who share the same charism as we do. We are guided by the principles outlined in ‘Zeal Calls Us to Respond‘ (2019), a document that serves as the foundation for our mission partnership.
Partners-in-mission encompass a wide spectrum of involvement, from staff members and volunteers to those fully committed to living the charism, values, and spirituality of our Congregation as a lifestyle. It’s about mutual respect, trust, commitment, and the freedom to grow while staying true to the vision and spirit of St. John Eudes & St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier.
THE SPIRIT WHO DWELLS WITHIN US
Spirituality is about a relationship with God and a desire to deepen this relationship and live it out in the reality of everyday life. It involves and engages us at the very depth of our being and directs our energies and actions toward living out the values of the Gospel as personified in the life of Jesus.
How we understand our spirituality has evolved over time and continues to unfold and deepen as we connect with the Spirit who dwells within us and who continuously moves us to greater fidelity in living discipleship. It calls us forth on a transforming journey of becoming fully human, of being a compassionate, loving, and reconciling presence in all our relationships, especially with those in vulnerable situations.
Following the founding vision of St. John Eudes, the heart of our spirituality is incarnational, focused on Christ the Incarnate Word. St. Mary Euphrasia saw God’s tender mercy in Jesus the Good Shepherd and his profound respect for each person.
Sparked by such a spirituality, we look at reality from the perspective of those living in poverty, with eyes of compassion and love. It transforms us and ignites within us a deeper commitment to live justly and to care for all of creation.
Governance and leadership
We are a community directly dependent on the Generalate (Congregational Leader and her respective council (Const S 97.2).
Josita Corera
Congregational delegate
Zelna Oosthuizen
Community Leader
Lydicia Letlaka
1st Councillor
Juliet Khasoane
2nd Councillor
Colleen Simpson
3rd Councillor
Veronica Boegman
4th Councillor
Mission and objectives
The Good Shepherd Sisters in South Africa strive to create meaningful & sustained change for the poor and vulnerable in order to transform communities into prosperous, caring and compassionate spaces where women, children and those living in the margins of society are valued, protected and empowered.
Reduce poverty
Reduce poverty through education, skills development and job opportunities
Reduce hunger
Reduce hunger through sustainable nutrition programmes
Eliminate gender based violence and safeguard children & adults
Eliminate gender based violence and safeguard children & adults at risk through advocacy, wholistic counselling, education & creation of safe spaces
Sustain & enhance impact within communities
Sustain & enhance impact within communities by strengthening the organizational capacity of the sisters and partners-in-mission
our values:
compassion - empowerment - partnership-reconciliation - social justice
120 years of faith and service in South Africa
Historical Beginnings
The Good Shepherd mission in South Africa began on May 17, 1904, when five sisters arrived in Durban after a perilous voyage from Angers, France. Initially hosted by the Holy Family of Bordeaux in Johannesburg, they moved to a small house in Orchards, celebrating their first Mass on September 8, 1904, the Feast of Our Lady’s Nativity.
Overcoming Hardships
Living in poverty, the sisters earned a modest income by sewing garments. Their dedication, inspired by St. Mary Euphrasia’s words, “Love the Cross and have zeal for the salvation of souls,” motivated them to persevere. In 1905, a generous donation from the owner of Cullinan Diamond Mine allowed them to build a brick laundry, enhancing their living conditions.
Growth and Expansion
In 1919, the mission expanded to Cape Town, followed by new establishments in Durban in 1938. By the Golden Jubilee in 1954, the mission had grown to 54 sisters, continuing to found homes, schools, and training centers despite challenges, including the Apartheid era (1948-1994).
Community Development and Outreach
From the 1970s, as government policies shifted, the mission adapted by focusing on outreach programs and pastoral ministry in communities such as Eldorado Park, Kliptown, and Port Elizabeth. Initiatives included feeding schemes, pre-schools, and skills development programs, often in collaboration with local communities.
Continuing the Mission Today
Today, the mission remains vibrant, supported by 94 partners-in-mission, including lay associates, staff, board members, and volunteers. Efforts are concentrated on community development in Hebron, Madidi, and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), with programs such as education, skills training, and food gardens.
Legacy and Gratitude
The commemorative candle illuminated the enduring legacy of the Good Shepherd sisters in South Africa, celebrating over a century of faith, compassion, and community service. The mission continues with gratitude to all sisters, partners-in-mission, and benefactors who sustain this legacy of hope and service in South Africa.
Sisters and women sewing and embroidering during the Gold Rush to support women
The african philosophy of UBUNTU (humanism)
The african philosophy of Ubuntu (humanism) underpins the manner citizens should interact with each other. In the public service, officials are enjoined to be guided by the principle of batho pele (people first) in their treatment of and attitude towards citizens who seek help and services from government entities.
The country’s foreign policy is also anchored on human rights. Churches of all faiths are expected to play a pivotal role in the promotion of ethical values and high standards of moral rectitude.
A CULTURE OF SAFEGUARDING
The Gospel values of love, dignity, and justice, as demonstrated by Jesus, remind us that the safeguarding of children and persons in vulnerable situations is an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church.
The Congregation is committed to enabling positive change and protecting and promoting the fundamental human rights of all persons. The Safeguarding Office is committed to bringing about awareness among mission partners of their call and responsibility to uphold the dignity of all persons in their care. The hope of the Congregation is to collaborate and work together in an integrated way to create an environment that serves the best interests and developmental needs of children and person/s who are in our care. They are who are vulnerable.
This requires the highest standards of professional care and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the guiding principles of the Congregation through its core values, spirit and charism. All mission partners are required to abide by these human rights standards.
Our missions
All participants in our programs receive breakfast, a cooked lunch, and a snack.We run an enrichment program for adults that focuses on parenting skillsWe also operate two outreach centres, where we serve cooked meals on alternate days, helping to meet the nutritional needs of our community.
Madidi Good Shepherd Mission
• Adult education in computer skills - (national and international levels)
• Education classes for levels 1 to 4
• Office procedure training
• Electrical skills classes
• Hairdressing classes
• Needlework and machine sewing classes
• Machine knitting and beadwork classes
• Food catering training
• Matric exam preparation and testing centre
• Pre-school education for children aged 2 to 6
• Computer classes
Hebron Good Shepherd Mission
• Needlework, machine sewing and beadwork classes
• Pre-school education for children aged 2 to 5
Akhanani Good Shepherd Mission
• Homework support
• Life skills development (e.g., hygiene, spiritual support, handling bullying)
• Beadwork classes
• A stimulation group that prepares young children for school
• Holiday programs filled with learning and fun activities
• Home visits to assess the specific needs of parents and children
• Sewing classes to beadwork
• Vegetable backyard gardens
Madidi knitting and sewing class - Akhanani sewing class
Apostolic Sisters (with visiting sisters)
Where we live
As of 2024
Convent of Gqeberha
Modisa Yo O Molemo Convent - Hebron
Good Shepherd Convent - Pretoria North
Good Shepherd Convent – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
