The roots of our Congregation lie in the Beguine movement during the High Middle Ages. Numerous Beguine communities were founded in Cologne during the 13th and 14th century, with members devoting themselves to community nursing. During the 15th century, these originally lay communities developed into an increasing number of cloistered communities, whose members lived according to the Rule of St. Augustine and who called themselves Cellitinnen.
Beguine community "Unsere Liebe Frau" in Gent
The root of our congregation was formed by four sisters who had been sent from two Cologne Cellitinnen convents to nurse in a public hospital. To begin with the sisters were subjected to various difficulties by the administration responsible for the poor, and they lived and worked in a legally undefined status. It was not until 1840 that they acquired more independency both from the city administration and from the church, so that the existing community of sisters turned into an independent congregation.
In addition to nursing, the sisters took on house-keeping obligations.
Until 1964, our congregation only existed in Germany. Up to 1,300 sisters lived and worked in more than 40 convents and institutions in Cologne, the Rhineland and Belgium. The sisters were mainly nursing the sick of the City of Cologne, having been appointed to most of their hospitals. Besides working in the hospitals, they took up numerous responsibilities in the social field. They worked in 'kindergartens', founded Homes for the aged, managed home science schools and took care of young girls in welfare homes. The Superior General and her council were responsible for everything related to administration and management.
Inspired by the 2nd Vatican Council, the Cellitinnen took over a missionary task in India in 1964. Young girls came from there to Germany to be trained in religious life. Most of the sisters were sent for professional training as well and then returned to their native India where convents and institutions were founded. In India the sisters are running hospitals and village dispensaries, as well as working in a leprosy colony and in schools. Initially, the structure of the congregation did not change. A Superior General was in charge of both countries.
May 1964. Cologne-Bonn airport. Auxiliary bishop Cleven, Sr. Wilma and Mother Cleta receive the first Indian candidates.
Since 1994 new statutes have allowed provinces to be established and the Indian Province and the German Province were founded. Both the provinces are under the General Administration but also have their own provincial administration. As there is an enormous decrease in the numbers of sisters in Germany, it has been necessary to close convents. In order to continue our apostolate the institutions were handed over to the newly founded 'Stiftung der Cellitinnen e.V.' in 2001.
The Indian province now has numerous subsidiaries and a large demand of candidates.
© Genossenschaft der Cellitinnen
