Good morning and a cordial welcome to everyone!

My dear Sisters of JMJ Family in India, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Ghana, Italy and United States, Your grace Rt. Rev. Bernard Moras, Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore archdiocese, Rev. Sr. Innamma Yeruva, the Superior General, Cong. of JMJ, Rome, Sr. Theresia Supriyati, the Superior General, Cong, of Sisters of JMJ, Indonesia, my dear JMJ Collaborators, Well-wishers and Friends.

With profound gratitude to God the Almighty, to our holy Patrons Jesus Mary & Joseph,to our beloved founder Rev. Fr. Mathias Wolff, the Congregation of JMJ, cordially invitesyou to participate in the Bicentennial Inaugural Ceremony of the foundation of our paternal Society of Jesus Mary Joseph on this day in 1822.

Today is a memorable day! A day to rejoice and celebrate!The Soc. of JMJ with its glorious past is a gift of God to the Church and to the world; and also, a heritageto be lived and safeguarded. Indeed,it’s a day of gratitude for God’s compassionate love and mercy that was revealed in our service to humanity, in varied ways over two centuries. Truly, let usfeel proud that we are the members of this great enterprise of thesisters of JMJ, who were and who are on a mission with passion for Christ and passion for humanity. Hence, 200 years of the life of the Societyof JMJ is worth celebrating!

Today is the official commencement of the Bicentennial year. It was on the 29th July in 1822, Fr. Mathias Wolff, a Jesuit priest from Luxemburg, laid foundation of the Society of JMJ in The Netherlands. Since its foundation, hundreds of Sisters have fervently and faithfully lived up to his vibrating spirituality and prophetic charism and passed on the same to the generations after them.

On this significant day, it’s worth remembering our holy Founder Fr. Wolff, and the historical, political, cultural and ecclesial background of 18th century in western Europe, which influenced hisvision and mission.

Though Fr. Wolff had to face many hurdles and unfavorable conditions, with single minded devotion he aimed at the liberation of the clandestine Dutch Catholic Church, with a focus on the education of the poor girls, aimed at their leadership formation. His unconditional trust and surrender to the will of God, enabled him find God in the reality of his time, doing everything for the greater glory and honour of God. Thus, within this framework of liberation of the Dutch Catholic Church, Fr. Wolff’s vision becomes a reality and an important aspect of his mission –with the foundation of the Society of JMJ.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (Jn 15:16).

It is the Lord who chooses and sends us out on mission. In the beginning Father Wolff sent his first sisters to Belgium. Leaving everything behind, they travelled on the road of JMJ spirituality of finding God in the reality of their time and were sent on mission of mercy. Founder’s apostolic zeal ingrained in the Charism of “Ever adaptable apostolic availability” lead them on their journey together: for two centuries, proclaiming the good news to the poor. Fr. Wolff exhorted the first sisters to stay true to the spirituality with an attitude of obedience and availability “Like the apostles of long ago, he said, today the sisters of JMJ are sent out into the world to be sheep among the wolves – “with the Lord of the World, for the World of the Lord”.

Fr. Wolff’s dynamic spirit, filled with missionary zeal, calls each one of us to be ‘always ready for souls’, and to ‘labour like giants.’ Hisdream for us is that we inspire one another to listen to God’s call and to find Himin the reality of today and respond generously to liberate the people from oppression of all forms.

Today’s celebration marks the beginning of Bicentennial year of spiritual renewal that will culminate on the 29th July, 2022. The JMJ Bicentenary theme “Journeying with Mathais Wolff: Rekindling JMJ Legacy” invites every JMJ Sister and JMJ collaborator to fan to flame the love and mercy of God in our broken world,as we rejoice and celebrate God’s providence and faithfulness in whatever corner of the world, we are called to serve the humanity under the patronage of our blessed Mother Mary and benevolent Father St. Joseph.

On this auspicious occasion, we are privileged to be part of this great celebration and jubilation! Thisonline Inaugural ceremony and prayer service ischannelled by Redemptorist Media centre; Bangalore. Rev. Sr. Innamma Yeruva, the Superior General of Cong. of JMJ delivers the inaugural address and declares open the Bicentenary year by unveiling the Logo. An expressive and inspiring prayer service by display of flags of all the countries where the JMJ sisters minister, usingmeaningful symbols, music, liturgical dances, scripture reading and prayersand messages follow. His graceRev. Bernard Moras, imparts hisapostolic blessing. The Prayer service ends with a beautiful presentation of JMJ anthem.

Congregation of JMJ is very grateful to Fr. Charles and the team, Redemptorist Media centre; Bangalore, JMJ Provinces and Region and in particular JMJ Bangalore province for their contribution towards this online program. To everyone viewing this jubilant virtual Inaugural ceremony from far and near, I extend a most hearty and warm welcome!

May God bless you and may God bless JMJ! Thank you!

Sr. Vijaya M Udumala JMJ
General Councillor & Bicentenary Committee Coordinator
St. Stanislaus Convent Chapel,
Bangalore
29 July, 2021