Goals

The members of the Holy Spirit Missionary Association take on the efforts of the Holy Spirit, who so loves the world and is committed to the well being of the world.

By Consecrating their lives to God the Holy Spirit, the membership images the efforts of the Holy Spirit by:

• Striving to reach out as Jesus did in prayer, peace and justice to persons of all religions, classes and cultures, wherever and in whatever situation they find themselves;
• Deepening their knowledge of the mission of Jesus, the mission of the church, in relationship with the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters.

By simply caring for the world the members become associates with the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters and grow into a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit's love for the world is an attitude of the Trinitarian God through which members are steeped in the experience of the community of the Blessed Trinity.

History of the HSMA

First evidence of the Holy Spirit Missionary Association was in 1921, when the Holy Spirit Hillswerk was founded by the General Administration of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in Steyl, Holland for the purpose of financially supporting their missionary work.

Thirty six years later in 1957 the General Administration of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters founded the Holy Spirit Association. The purpose of this association was to honor the Holy Spirit through prayer in a similar manner to the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters and to provide spiritual support for the Sisters working in missions.

In 1979 the two initial associations merged and established the Holy Spirit Missionary Association. This association incorporates the financial dimension of the Holy Spirit Hillswerk and the prayerful dimension of the Holy Spirit Association adding the missionary dimension of the Congregation from which it originated.

Today there are over 70,000 members in the Holy Spirit Missionary Association in many countries throughout the world where our Sisters minister. Frequently members of the association work hand in hand with the Sisters and like them they consecrate themselves to the Holy Spirit making the world a better place for all.

Guidelines of the HSMA

Caring and loving the world as does the Holy Spirit means to do so as Jesus did. This involves coming to know Jesus' ways of seeing things and taking on Jesus' values.

Holy Spirit Missionary Association members:

• Keeping the families we serve, all the volunteers, staff, and Sisters in your prayers.
• Consecrate themselves to the Holy Spirit on the third Monday of each month, in unison with the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters and other HSMA members throughout the world;
• Allow time for daily prayers / dialogue with the Holy Spirit;
• When applicable, participate in the Eucharist on third Mondays;
• Seek out Jesus' attitude from Scripture, homilies, talks, the SSpS charism or other persons;
• Make Jesus' love visible in caring for the ecology, religions, classes and cultures in some way and in any situation;
• Participate in any parish effort when possible;
• Celebrate the feast of Pentecost (or confirmation anniversary).

Bonding with the SSpS

The Holy Spirit Missionary Association is not only strengthened in its baptismal commitment to the world through its bond with the 3,800 Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters,
but through all the members of the Association.

As is the Trinity, the association is internationally bonded to men and women, married and single, young and elderly, and of various faiths from Asia, Africa, Argentina, Austria, Philippines, Germany, Holland, India, Italy, Netherlands, Slovakia, USA… a membership of more than 70,000 throughout the world.

The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters from around the world include the Holy Spirit Missionary associates in their prayer, especially on third Mondays and during the Novena before Pentecost.
The sisters remember all deceased associates in a special manner.

SSpS Mission, published by the sisters, is sent as an aid to strengthen the missionary vocation of each HSMA member. Through stories of the sisters' ministry in home and overseas countries,
members are encouraged in their evangelization in their own circumstance and situation.

Membership

Join the more than 200 United States members and 70,000 members around the world in a spiritual bond with the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters. There are no required meetings to attend, but optional days of recollection, retreats, or prayer days are occasionally held throughout the year.

For further information, or to become a member, see below:

Sr. Patricia Snider, SSpS

Holy Spirit Missionary Association