My dear Sisters in India, in the Netherlands, Indonesia, Italy, Ghana and United States of America, Dear JMJ collaborators, well-wishers and friends,

It’s a day of jubilation! Celebration! and Commemoration! For the entire JMJ family.

I Sr. Mukta Xess, on behalf of JMJ Hyderabad Province, deem it as a great privilege to greet and congratulate everyone on this significant opening of the Bicentenary year. The 29th July is a remarkableday in the annals of JMJ and we are fortunate to witness this exceptionalBicentenary event of the Foundation of the Society of JMJ.

Two hundred years ago, in 1822 inspired by the Holy Spirit Rev. Fr. Mathias Wolff, founded the Society of Jesus Mary Joseph, in The Netherlands to liberate Catholic youth especially poor girls through education, aimed at leadership formation. This flame of Founder’s prophetic charism of liberation, with his dynamic Charism of an ever-Adaptable Apostolic Availability continued through us to this day!

Truly, the Past is our Heritage and a Challenge to our Future. Being grateful to God for sustaining the mission of JMJ, let us move forward - ‘Journeying with Rev. Fr. Mathias Wolff – Rekindling JMJ Legacy’ through our inner transformation and renewed commitment. The spiritual legacy of the Founder handed over to us by the pioneers, ought to be revived, and rekindled. It’s our heritage to be safeguarded and it’s our challenge to be lived and preserved for future generations.

As a congregation we move into the future with hope for humanity, with a preferential option for the poor. Holy Father Francis urges us to sow the seeds of peace and walk alongside of the poor. Rightly, the option for the poor is an essential dimension of our Congregation and hence, this preferential option needs to find expression in the life of every sister, in our community life, and in our apostolic ministries.

On this jubilant occasion, we express our gratitude to the Church and Civil authorities, religious groups, benefactors and collaborators for journeying with JMJ through the years in the past. We pay our humble homage to our dear departed JMJ sisters who have gone before us and interceding for us.

May the Lord bless us and accompany us on our journey in His service.

Long live JMJ! God bless JMJ!