DONATE
DONATE

Maria Ratschitz

History

1998
27 January

On the Anniversary of Fr Nardini’s death, the 27th of January 1998, three sisters started the fourth Nardini venture in South Africa: Maria Ratschitz Convent. Sr Immaculate Ndlovu had been a teacher at the Nardini Convent School in Vryheid, and Sr Regilind Eichenseher (a chef) and Sr Irmingard Thalmeier (a medical doctor) both came from Nkandla.

For the three of them, the decision and the call to move came less than a year before. But for the Bishop of Dundee, Pascal Rowland OFM, under whose Diocese Maria Ratschitz fell, a dream of many, many years came true.

Maria Ratschitz, a more than hundred-year-old Mariannhill Mission foundation, is the “Mother Church” of the Diocese. Its name is derived from a Marian Shrine in the Czech Republic and it is dedicated to “Our Lady of Sorrows”. Having been a flourishing mission station for most of its time, a chain of historic and unfortunately, mainly man-made tragedies, starting from World War II to the forced removal of almost the whole African population in the vicinity of the church, brought about the rapid decline of buildings and activities. Under the patronage of the sisters and the former Bishop of Dundee, Pascal Rowland OFM, as well as the present Bishop Graham Rose, the mission has become a place of prayer and a sanctuary for those who seek the Lord and silence.

For more information on the history of Maria Ratschitz, visit: (https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/maria-ratschitz-mission-wasbank-valley)

The Nardini Sisters started to use one of the old buildings as a Hospice for terminally ill patients, mainly those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Many patients have since been helped to a pain free, peaceful time in their terminal illness, surrounded and cared for by loving people. And quite a few regained their strength and got a new lease of life.

From this place of human warmth, called Duduza Care Centre, other activities developed, as insight and need started to grow. A network of caregivers were trained to look after the terminally ill in their homes, do home based care, counselling and bereavement – care for their families, identify orphaned and vulnerable children and organise help for them, assist in achieving food security, follow up on the ARV-treatment and form support groups.

Sr Irmingard, Dr Thalmeier, used to spend two days a week visiting the ill in their homes together with the caregivers, assessing and adjusting their treatment and nursing care and distributing food parcels to the needy.

In 2007 a fire broke out in the Hospice and the lives of three patients and of Sr Ann Thöle, the novice directress of the Nardini Sisters at the time, were tragically lost.

 Thereafter a new Hospice was built.

Outreach

  • Maria Ratschitz is first and foremost a spiritual centre for Catholics and priests of the Diocese of Dundee and beyond. 
  • The Hospice in Maria Ratschitz, started and run by the Nardini Sisters, falls under the umbrella of the Duduza Care Centre. Duduza meaning “console” is a place for the terminally ill, mainly those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Patients who cannot be adequately treated and cared for in their homes find nursing and palliative care as well as spiritual accompaniment at Duduza. Sr Benedict Miya is in charge of the hospice and Sr Veronica Radebe is responsible for the Duduza outreach services.
  • The services of Duduza Care Centre include home base care, adherence support, care for orphans and vulnerable children, soup kitchens, homework support, computer schools, a chicken project and community vegetable gardens. 
  • Duduca Care Centre also creates jobs through hiring nurses, social workers, caregivers and child minders.     The current director of Duduza Care Centre is Sr Colette Mthimkhulu.

All these activities and the spirit of caring are maintained and surrounded by an environment and atmosphere of beauty and goodness so typical of Franciscan living. The Sisters Kenelma Rieder and Regilind Eichenseher worked hard to make the gardens, the houses and the food a truly joyful experience, where broken bodies and spirits can heal and gain strength and where all guests are welcomed with an open heart. Sister Nomalizo Ndaliso and Sister Agnes-Thérèse Coetzee have since taken over the reins of the care of Maria Ratschitz.

The local parishioners as well as an increasing number of prayerful pilgrims and seekers of quiet and solitude who visit Maria Ratschitz speak of their appreciation. for this important service. Also, in this way the message of God’s love is transmitted, in the spirit of St Francis of Assisi who said to his brothers: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.”

Our Blessed Fr Nardini reminds us: We sisters are “to care for the most forsaken in self-giving love and the true Franciscan spirit of poverty. Man, in Nardini’s opinion, is the most forsaken at the beginning of his life, in his tender infancy, and at the last stage of his life, in sickness and infirmity, at the hour of his death.”

Pastoral Work

The sisters assist in the parish, or in pastoral activities which include:
  • Serving as sacristans in church
  • Host retreats for the sisters
  • Home visits to patients to offer psychosocial services
  • In soup kitchens
  • Work with orphans
  • Run a computer college (skills development)

Support The Nardini Sisters

The Nardini Sisters have been a pillar of faith, service, and compassion in their community. Your support, in any form, can make a meaningful difference in sustaining their vital work. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every effort helps them continue their mission.

MAKE A DONATION