Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of Mercy began their ministry in Indonesia on July 12, 1885. The presence of the Sisters was in response to a request from the Bishop of Padang, West Sumatra, who at that time hoped for the presence of religious to assist in the fields of education, health, and pastoral care. Responding to this need, the General Council of the SCMM in the Netherlands sent the first nine pioneer sisters to Indonesia.
The sisters began their work in Padang by opening a kindergarten on September 1, 1885. In a short time, the number of students increased from 35 to 140 children. In addition to teaching basic education, they paid attention to character building and skills development. Therefore, they opened courses in sewing, knitting, embroidery, and piano lessons. In addition, they established a shelter for orphans, a girls' dormitory, and services for the poor in need.
After the mission in Padang developed, the sisters continued their mission to other areas. In 1890, the SCMM mission reached Flores, especially in Maumere. In this area, they focused on education and health. Over time, they faced various difficulties, namely a malaria epidemic that claimed lives, both among the sisters and the students. Nevertheless, they continued to serve with love, believing in divine providence.
The year 1917 marked the beginning of a new work in Tanjung Sakti, West Sumatra. There, the sisters managed a school, a girls' dormitory, and skills courses for girls and housewives. In addition, they also provided health services to the surrounding community. However, due to various difficulties and the declining health of the sisters, the General Council decided to discontinue the work in Tanjung Sakti in 1930. Nevertheless, the spirit of service did not stop there. In 1930, the SCMM sisters began their work in Sibolga, at the invitation of Father Spanyers, OFMCap. They established a kindergarten and elementary school, a boys' and girls' dormitory, and a convent named Patroness of the Sacred Heart.
Over time, they faced challenges, especially during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia from 1942 to 1945. It was during this period that the sisters experienced their most difficult times. Forty sisters from Europe were captured and transferred to various detention centers. Some died in captivity, while others returned to the Netherlands after the war ended in a state of physical and mental turmoil. Amidst a situation filled with fear and deprivation, 18 sisters remained in Indonesia and continued their ministry.
Since the congregation was founded, the main purpose of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of Mercy (SCMM) has been to be there for the weak, the poor, and the oppressed. This spirit is rooted in God's love, which moved the hearts of the congregation's founders to show compassion in the midst of human suffering. Therefore, after Indonesia gained its independence, the spirit of compassionate service was continued. In 1949, after the difficult times of war and colonialism had ended, the sisters began to rebuild their educational work in Sibolga, North Sumatra. This ministry received great support from the government, which saw that the presence of the SCMM was not only about teaching, but also about forming people who were compassionate, honest, and caring. Soon after, Fatimah Junior High School, Catholic High School, and a dormitory were established.
The sisters manage various schools, from kindergartens to high schools, which serve as a place for shaping a generation of faithful and characterful individuals. In the field of health, they serve with love through primary clinics and hospitals. Meanwhile, in social and pastoral work, SCMM is present through dormitories, orphanages, and nursing homes, reaching out to those who are marginalized and in need of assistance.
All of these works are centered on the congregation's original spirit of bringing God's love to the weakest and most suffering. The sisters not only work to help, but also walk alongside the poor and oppressed as friends, comforters, and sources of hope.
Now, after more than a century of work in Indonesia, the SCMM Sisters continue to carry out this mission of love with complete loyalty. Amidst changing times, they remain a sign of God's living presence, touching wounded hearts, kindling hope in dark places, and bringing life-giving love to all people.
In 1975, the Congregation officially became a Province. Sr. Elisabeth Saribatin, SCMM, an Indonesian Sister, was chosen as the first Provincial of Indonesia. The presence of the congregation in SCMM continued to grow, both in terms of the number of members and the expansion of its ministry to various fields and regions. To date, there are 28 SCMM communities spread across almost all corners of Indonesia, from North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Kalimantan, Maumere, and Sumba.The Sisters did not rest on their laurels. In today's modern era, many people experience mental health issues due to various factors in their lives. The Sisters see this as an opportunity and a calling to save and heal them through psychological counseling.
Our Sisters also pay attention to the preservation of the earth as a form of ecological responsibility. There is a joint movement to take an active role in caring for the earth, one of which is by utilizing waste into ecoenzymes. The Sisters are also involved in and strive for human rights, considering the large number of individuals and groups whose rights are threatened. These efforts are summarized and reinforced through a special guidebook (PDDAR) compiled by the Sisters. The presence of the SCMM Sisters in Indonesia is a tangible manifestation of God's love. They remain faithful in their service to this day, despite having faced many challenges and obstacles throughout their journey of service.
