27th June 2025 with Cardinal Lavigerie
Link to PDF 20250627 A Year With CML200
The transformation of yesterday and today
In time of transformation we look to our history to inspire us and motivate us. Here we share the story of M. Maria Mechtildis, our Superior General from 1959 to 1969, who steered our congregation through the transformations following the independence of many African states and the Second Vatican Council. Born Hildegard Balmerth on 15th February 1916 in Erbach (Germany) she grew in war and hardship in a family of great faith and courage. At the age of eighteen, in 1934, she entered the postulate in Trier. She was active and very energetic, ready to take on anything in order to be of service. On 1st May 1935 she received the white habit of the Congregation in the novitiate of Trier with the name Sr. Maria Mechtildis. The novice mistress, M. Madeleine de la Croix passed on her own love for the mission, with the apostolic spirit she had…