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 Statue of the Compassionate Christ by John Lajba is located in our Healing Garden at the Motherhouse. |
Who We Are The mission of the Servants of Mary is to manifest God's compassionate presence in the spirit of Mary. We respond to the words of Jesus: "Be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate." We do so by following the example of Jesus, under the guidance of Mary.Our commitment to compassion calls us to:
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We honor Mary as our model in saying "Yes" to both the joys and sorrows that life brings. We strive to imitate her humility and faithfulness in being a woman of service. In a special way, we are devoted to the sorrows of Mary. Seven critical events have been identified by the evangelists. These life-changing events parallel the sorrows of most individuals. In responding to our own sorrows, we learn compassion for the sufferings of others. Our patronal celebration is the feast of Mary, Mother of Sorrows, September 15. Sr. M. Dolores Bardinghaus OSM (RIP) created these original works of art inspired by Mary's sorrows: |
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The First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Holy Simeon Mary and Joseph took their Child to the Temple to offer him to God, as was the custom of the Jewish people. Their hearts were filled with joy as they handed the child to the holy man, Simeon. But joy was turned to sorrow when Simeon said to Mary, "This child is set for the fall and the rise of many in Israel, and your own soul a sword shall pierce that thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." We can only wonder why a sword should pierce Mary's heart, but as time unfolded, we know that she experienced many sorrows. We sympathize with young parents whose joy is turned to sorrow when their child is born with physical or mental handicaps. |
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The Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt Mary experienced her second sorrow when Joseph was told in a dream to take Mary and the Child to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill him. The Holy Family became resident aliens, refugees, unable to live an ordered family life. Our thoughts turn to the millions upon millions of refugees in our world today who experience this sadness, and our hearts are moved to pity. Mary understands the heartbreak of the refugees. |
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The Third Sorrow: The Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days On their return from Jerusalem after a feast, Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was not with either party. They returned to Jerusalem in search of their lost child. We can only imagine how frantic they were before they found him in the Temple with the elders. What must be the sorrow of today's parents whose children are lost, kidnapped, run-aways or just disappeared. Mary is the source to turn to for strength and comfort, for she experienced this kind of agony. |
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The Fourth Sorrow: Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary He had been stripped of his garments, scourged, crowned with thorns, and was now on his painful walk to Calvary. Mary was undoubtedly with the group of women standing by the roadside as Jesus passed. Injustice walks with us on our pilgrimage today as it did then. And Mary understands the pain of those who are unjustly treated in the many ways today's world can devise. |
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The Fifth Sorrow: Mary Stands by the Cross of Jesus The Roman soldiers had completed their task of unimaginable cruelty. Jesus was nailed to the cross. "There stood by the cross of Jesus, Mary, his Mother..." Her strength then is part of our strength today as we stand at the side of a loved one who is dying. We, in turn, can share the sorrow Mary felt as she watched her Son die. |
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The Sixth Sorrow: Mary Receives into her Arms the Body of Jesus The final hour had come. A man named Joseph had gone to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus for burial. He and friends took down the lifeless body as Mary stood at the foot of the cross. They laid her Son in her arms. We understand her sorrow, for we have lost or will lose a loved one. She, in turn, understands our sorrow and is present to us to share what we feel, to be our compassionate Mother. |
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The Seventh Sorrow: Mary Assists at the Burial of Jesus As the long day of agony closes, Mary moves with the little group of mourners to the place of burial, a borrowed tomb. We, too, have been mourners as we laid to rest a loved one. We know the pain of separation, of loss, of heartache. But we know, too, that Mary understands our sorrow and shares her love and strength with us. |
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Our ministries are as unique as each of our members. Each Sister has a voice and choice as to what she feels best suited to do. Today, our Sisters are a compassionate presence through many expressions of ministry. |
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Prayer Prayer for others is an important ministry of Servite Sisters. The entire community prays daily for those who request prayers. Our St. Peregrine (the cancer saint) Prayer Program seeks to be a support to both those with life threatening illnesses and their care givers. Over the years, many have shared the benefit and comfort they have felt in being a part of the Servite prayer network. Prayers are requested by phone at 402-951-3068 or shoresosm@msn.com. To enroll those who are experiencing a serious illness in our St. Peregrine Prayer Program, please click here. |
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Spirituality Many Servite Sisters are skilled at facilitating spiritual direction, retreats, and workshops. These experiences enable us to find God in our lives and to respond through prayer and action. Some Sisters minister as liturgists, authors and artists. Through the use of their gifts and by providing resources, they help us touch more deeply into the Mystery that is God. |
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Education Servite Sisters are involved in education, teaching at the elementary, secondary and collegiate levels. The Servants of Mary founded and sponsor Marian High School, an all-girls college preparatory high school in Omaha, Nebraska. |
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Pastoral Ministry Our pastoral ministers serve the Church in many ways, including visiting the sick in homes and hospitals, directing RCIA programs and adult faith formation programs, providing religious education for young Catholics, coordinating youth ministry activities, serving as hospitality ministers, organizing events for retirees, and participating in a variety of activities and groups. |
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Counseling In both educational and agency settings, counseling is offered in a professional and supportive environment. Counseling services are tailored to the individual, taking into account the physical, emotional, spiritual and social dimensions of the person. |
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Social Justice Advocacy All Servite Sisters and Associates attempt to raise awareness of social justice issues in their respective ministries. Knowing how blessed and loved we are by God, we want to further the human dignity and rights of the entire human family and all of God's creation. This stance is foundational to our call "to manifest God's compassionate presence" and guides us whether we are in direct or indirect service to the poor. |
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Health Care Our Sisters serve as hospital nurses and chaplains, ministering to patients, families and staff in times of vulnerability and crisis. Some Sisters minister to those facing a terminal illness through their involvement in Hospice. Other Sisters are specially trained in the therapeutic arts of healing touch and massage. |
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Vowed Membership What is vowed membership?
If you would like more information about vowed membership, please contact the Servite Director of Membership at membership@osms.org. |
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Associate Membership
If you would like more information about associate membership, please contact the Servite Associate Director at assocosm@osms.org. |
 International Generalate Team of Sister Rose Chang, Prioress General, second from the left, with Councilors Sisters Catherine Ryan, Chantal-Mari Le Diraison, and Charlotte Huetteman |
International Congregation of the Servants of Mary The International Congregation of Servants of Mary has three provinces: the English Province, the French/Canadian/Belgian/Congolese province and the American province. The Prioress General, with her Council, encourages the development of our charism of compassion in the corners of the world where we serve. International meetings and pilgrimages allow us to develop relationships that enrich the community and the mission we share. |
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American Province of the Servants of Mary The American Province of Servants of Mary is under the leadership of a Prioress Provincial and Council. The leadership team is responsible for overseeing the spiritual, community, and ministerial needs of the Sisters. Our Lady of Sorrows Convent in Omaha serves as the headquarters for the American Province of the Servants of Mary. |
 Mary and the Seven Founders of the Servite Order |
Our heritage is directly linked to the vision of three people - Abbe Chantome, Mlle. Brocard and Marie Guyot - who started a school for girls in Cuves, France, in 1840. Soon other teachers joined the school. Four of the women, led by Marie Guyot, formed a religious community. The Cuves school prospered until the untimely death of Sister Marie Guyot in 1848 at the age of 28. The Sisters began to look outside Cuves for other ways to serve. In 1852, some of the Sisters went to England to minister and bring compassion to the poor. Eventually, all of the Sisters moved to England where they established a strong foundation under the leadership of Sister Philomena Juliana Morel. In 1864, the Sisters were aggregated to the Servite Order, with whom they felt a closeness of spirituality. The Servite Order was founded in 1233 by seven men of Florence, Italy who were part of a confraternity devoted to Mary. At the time of aggregation, the Sisters took their present name, the Servants of Mary of London/Cuves. |
 Sisters at Holy Name in Omaha |
Early Servite Sisters brought their mission of compassionate service to the United States in 1871. They established a firm foundation in the States in 1892 at St. Matthew's Parish in Mount Vernon, Indiana. The Sisters continued to move westward, establishing foundations in Illinois and Iowa. In 1918, Servite Sisters came to staff the school in the newly established Holy Name Parish in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1925, the Sisters transferred their Motherhouse and Novitiate from Cherokee, Iowa, to the more centrally located Omaha. As the community grew, the Sisters were asked to staff schools and ministries across the U.S. We continue to explore new ways to serve in the spirit of Mary. |
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