Our History
We are Taking Small Steps to Make Earth Better Planet
Foundation: Heeding to the 'need of the time' and to give comfort and assistance to mothers and children, the Society of Sisters of St. Ann was founded on November 21, 1909 in Luzern, Switzerland; a Society built in this world yet not of the world. Began as a mustard seed, as a handiwork of God, the Sisters were engaged in giving home care and family ministry against the current trend of that time.
Founder: Rector Fr. Wilhelm Meyer (1870-1912), the Founder of the Congregation of the Society of Sisters of St. Ann, is a mortal made immortal by the Lord. He was a soul set on fire; a person of deep reflection and quiet contemplation, a priest, fervent and zealous, gifted with a compassionate heart, cheerful disposition and tremendous talent for action,
Pioneers to India: The heroic saga of Sr. Feer Francisca, Sr. Affentranger Elizebeth, Sr. Mueller Catherine, and Sr. Wicky Magdalene began in 1927. Daring to discover...blazing a path breaking trail... carrying the flame of love within, they conquered the hearts of all. Impelled by a desire not to gain anything for themselves but to give everything of themselves, they served especially the poor, the sick, the suffering and the marginalized with compassion and commitment.
Indian Mission: December 28, 1927, is painted in gold on the canvas of our Society; for on this day a new shoot stemmed out in the Indian soil; the dream of our founder came true...A group of four young sisters from Switzerland set their foot on the sacred soil of India... Today, this banyan tree has branches all over India in 15 states, 61 dioceses with 3 provinces forming 135 communities. It has a Region in East Africa and a Mission in Italy with the total strength of 922 Sisters involved in Medical, Educational, Social and Pastoral activities.
East African Mission: The East African Mission of the Sisters of St. Ann began on 12th September 1990, inspired by their founder Wilhelm Meyer and in response to the signs of the times. The mission started humbly when two missionaries arrived in Tabora, Tanzania.
Over the years, the mission has grown significantly, now comprising 7 communities in Tanzania and 1 in Kenya, extending its presence into Kenya. The sisters are actively involved in educational, social, medical, and pastoral ministries. Today, the mission includes 34 Indian missionaries and 31 local sisters, with a total strength of 65 sisters serving in East Africa.
Kenya Mission – 2005 : The mission expanded into Kenya in 2005, marking a new phase of growth in East Africa. The sisters continue their dedicated service through various ministries, contributing to the strengthening of the Church and society.
Uganda Mission – 2022 : Further extending their missionary outreach, the Sisters of St. Ann began their mission in Uganda in 2022. This recent expansion reflects the congregation’s ongoing commitment to spreading the Gospel and serving communities in need across new regions.
Italian Mission: Dreamt. Sought.. Found... The dream of our Founder bringing mission from Europe to India is reversed. The need of the time and the time of the need compelled the Society to take up mission in Italy. The three pioneers began their ministry in 2004. The 4 communities in Italy in the Regions of Rome, Reggio Emilia and Calabria are extensions of God's compassion in Healthcare and Pastoral ministry.
Indonesian Mission: The Sisters of St. Ann began their mission in Indonesia on 3rd July 2017, inspired by their founder Wilhelm Meyer and the Gospel call to proclaim the Good News (Mk 16:15). The mission’s start on the feast of Thomas the Apostle was seen as providential. At the invitation of Archbishop Vincentius Sensi Potokota, three sisters arrived in Flores, Indonesia, a predominantly Christian island. Initially, they stayed with the Society of the Divine Word in Ende, completed a one-month language course at Ledalero Seminary, and later moved to the Bishop’s House complex, residing with the CIJ Sisters. Over the past seven years, the mission has grown steadily, with 13 sisters now serving and experiencing visible blessings in their ministry.
Timor-Leste Mission : Timor-Leste, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a Southeast Asian nation comprising the eastern half of Timor Island along with nearby islands such as Jaco, Atauro, and the exclave Oecusse. The country is predominantly Catholic, with about 97.5% of the population, organized under three dioceses: Diocese of Dili, Diocese of Baucau, and Diocese of Maliana. As of 2024, the population is approximately 1.4 million, divided into 13 districts. The Timor-Leste Mission of the Sisters of St. Ann began in 2017, with a total of 9 sisters serving in this deeply faith-filled nation.
Founder: Rector Fr. Wilhelm Meyer (1870-1912), the Founder of the Congregation of the Society of Sisters of St. Ann, is a mortal made immortal by the Lord. He was a soul set on fire; a person of deep reflection and quiet contemplation, a priest, fervent and zealous, gifted with a compassionate heart, cheerful disposition and tremendous talent for action,
Pioneers to India: The heroic saga of Sr. Feer Francisca, Sr. Affentranger Elizebeth, Sr. Mueller Catherine, and Sr. Wicky Magdalene began in 1927. Daring to discover...blazing a path breaking trail... carrying the flame of love within, they conquered the hearts of all. Impelled by a desire not to gain anything for themselves but to give everything of themselves, they served especially the poor, the sick, the suffering and the marginalized with compassion and commitment.
Indian Mission: December 28, 1927, is painted in gold on the canvas of our Society; for on this day a new shoot stemmed out in the Indian soil; the dream of our founder came true...A group of four young sisters from Switzerland set their foot on the sacred soil of India... Today, this banyan tree has branches all over India in 15 states, 61 dioceses with 3 provinces forming 135 communities. It has a Region in East Africa and a Mission in Italy with the total strength of 922 Sisters involved in Medical, Educational, Social and Pastoral activities.
East African Mission: The East African Mission of the Sisters of St. Ann began on 12th September 1990, inspired by their founder Wilhelm Meyer and in response to the signs of the times. The mission started humbly when two missionaries arrived in Tabora, Tanzania.
Over the years, the mission has grown significantly, now comprising 7 communities in Tanzania and 1 in Kenya, extending its presence into Kenya. The sisters are actively involved in educational, social, medical, and pastoral ministries. Today, the mission includes 34 Indian missionaries and 31 local sisters, with a total strength of 65 sisters serving in East Africa.
Kenya Mission – 2005 : The mission expanded into Kenya in 2005, marking a new phase of growth in East Africa. The sisters continue their dedicated service through various ministries, contributing to the strengthening of the Church and society.
Uganda Mission – 2022 : Further extending their missionary outreach, the Sisters of St. Ann began their mission in Uganda in 2022. This recent expansion reflects the congregation’s ongoing commitment to spreading the Gospel and serving communities in need across new regions.
Italian Mission: Dreamt. Sought.. Found... The dream of our Founder bringing mission from Europe to India is reversed. The need of the time and the time of the need compelled the Society to take up mission in Italy. The three pioneers began their ministry in 2004. The 4 communities in Italy in the Regions of Rome, Reggio Emilia and Calabria are extensions of God's compassion in Healthcare and Pastoral ministry.
Indonesian Mission: The Sisters of St. Ann began their mission in Indonesia on 3rd July 2017, inspired by their founder Wilhelm Meyer and the Gospel call to proclaim the Good News (Mk 16:15). The mission’s start on the feast of Thomas the Apostle was seen as providential. At the invitation of Archbishop Vincentius Sensi Potokota, three sisters arrived in Flores, Indonesia, a predominantly Christian island. Initially, they stayed with the Society of the Divine Word in Ende, completed a one-month language course at Ledalero Seminary, and later moved to the Bishop’s House complex, residing with the CIJ Sisters. Over the past seven years, the mission has grown steadily, with 13 sisters now serving and experiencing visible blessings in their ministry.
Timor-Leste Mission : Timor-Leste, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a Southeast Asian nation comprising the eastern half of Timor Island along with nearby islands such as Jaco, Atauro, and the exclave Oecusse. The country is predominantly Catholic, with about 97.5% of the population, organized under three dioceses: Diocese of Dili, Diocese of Baucau, and Diocese of Maliana. As of 2024, the population is approximately 1.4 million, divided into 13 districts. The Timor-Leste Mission of the Sisters of St. Ann began in 2017, with a total of 9 sisters serving in this deeply faith-filled nation.