Superior General’s Message

Dear Visitors,

You are most warmly welcomed to this brief digital presentation of the life and mission of the Society of the Sisters of St. Ann, Luzern (SAL).

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it for me” (Matthew 25:40).

Moved by this call, Rev. Fr. Wilhelm Meyer, a priest of the Diocese of Basel, Switzerland, founded the Society of St. Ann in Luzern in 1909. His compassionate heart recognized the crying needs of his time, especially of the poor and marginalized, such as the care of expectant mothers and children, particularly during childbirth, and this became a defining inspiration for the mission of the Society.

The history of SAL in India began with a significant step of faith when four Sisters from Switzerland arrived in Visakhapatnam in 1927. From these humble beginnings, the seeds of a vibrant and life-giving mission were sown. Spanning over a century of grace-filled history, the Lord has lovingly guided our Society beyond all expectations.

Today, our mission reaches across continents serving in India, Tanzania, Italy, Kenya, Uganda, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia. We are a vibrant community of nearly 1,000 members from different countries and diverse cultures, united in faith, love, and purpose.

Responding to the signs of the times, the Society has generously reached out in dedicated services through healthcare, education, social apostolate, pastoral ministry, and the proclamation of the Word both in India and across the globe.

At the heart of our identity lies a profound Charism:

“Live to reveal the merciful love of Jesus!”

We strive to make this love visible through our compassionate presence and committed service, especially among the most vulnerable those closest to the heart of Christ in the Gospel. Through our ministries, we seek to restore hope, uplift lives, and affirm the sacred worth of every human person.

Guided by faith and strengthened by community, we continue to respond courageously to the needs of our time. Each act of service becomes a testimony that God’s mercy is alive, active, and transformative in our world today. As we journey forward, we renew our commitment to be faithful witnesses of Christ’s mercy and compassion bringing light where there is darkness, and hope where there is despair.

On behalf of the SAL family, I sincerely thank you for taking the time to learn about our life and mission. May God bless you abundantly and inspire us all to walk together in the service of His Kingdom. We look forward to new opportunities to collaborate with you in nurturing the vineyard of the Lord.