Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hsin Chu (Agenzia Fides) - In the Nazareth Spiritual Center of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) of the Diocese of Hsin Chu in Taiwan, live ten simple and extraordinary religious women. The elderly nuns are aged between 88 and 99. They are extraordinary because they come from different countries in the world but they have dedicated their lives to the mission in Taiwan, especially dealing with children and young people who live on the island. Now they consider Taiwan as their homeland. According to information gathered by Fides, even today, despite their advanced age, the missionaries continue to help young people, especially those who go astray, to find their way of life, with patience and tenderness. As stated by the Superior of the Center of Nazareth, the nuns "have served Taiwan in silence, with love and dedication".
According to information provided by the religious province of Taiwan, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, FMM, an international congregation founded in 1877, are about 7,000, of 81 nationalities, divided into 51 provinces, in 77 countries or territories in the world. They started the mission in China in 1890. The 7 FMM martyrs who were killed on July 9, 1900 in Tai Yuan, in Shan Xi province in mainland China, were canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. In 1950 the nuns were forced to move to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. On March 19, 2010, 57 nuns in the province of Taiwan celebrated 50 years of mission in Taiwan. Today they are active in the field of social service (the poor, the marginalized, the elderly, the sick), education, health and parish ministry. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 31/08/2011)
