Our Charism
Each religious congregation is animated by its own spirit and identity. Faithful to the inspiration of its founder and passed on to the members of the community over time, this charism is a true spiritual heritage.
When Eugénie Smet founded in 1856 the Society of the Helpers of the Souls in Purgatory, commonly known as the Society of Helpers and translated in many languages according to the countries where they get established, she recognized in the devotion to the souls in Purgatory the mystery of a radical experience of love. It was from this deep spiritual intuition that she invited her Sisters to give priority to the multiple needs of the most disadvantaged, to “accompany through prayer, action, communion in trial” and hope, those most in need of justice and compassion. Her charity towards suffering souls was intimately linked to the most concrete and universal apostolate.
The legacy of Mary of Providence and the spiritual tradition received since 1856 are of decisive importance to us today, as they guide our fidelity and establish our unity. With Christ, who transcends death, we, the Helpers, want to be present for those who are going through difficult times.
The spiritual intuition specific to the Institute includes an apostolic commitment whose forms have continually diversified since its origins. We strive to respond, through our presence and through spiritual, medical-social, or educational activities, to the needs of those who suffer physically or are affected in their human dignity*, all while proclaiming the Gospel.
The Helpers seek to be present for those who are forgotten or in search of meaning. We share the joys, hopes, and sorrows of those to whom we are sent. Our Sisters aim to build connections and care for others, helping to humanize and nurture growth. Drawing on Ignatian spirituality, we accompany men and women on their life journeys, assisting them in finding their path and unleashing the strengths within them.
This takes us into a wide variety of fields: education, healthcare, social work, refugee aid, hospital and prison chaplaincies, catechumenate, spiritual centres, youth ministry… The horizons are broad for “helping in all manner of good, whatever it may be,” according to the words of our founder!
Humanity is both the cause and the object of suffering, but we believe that God is present at the heart of painful situations, even when He seems to be hidden during times of trial. He is the God of Holy Saturday, who remains with each of us during these moments of waiting. His active presence is revealed as a hope given to all. By accepting to be transformed by those we are sent to serve, we acknowledge that it is God who does the work.
For Mary of Providence, a woman of the 19th century, the souls in Purgatory are the most lost, the forgotten ones, those awaiting the encounter with God. For us, the Helpers of today, the souls in Purgatory are not only the deceased but also the living. We believe that God’s love is a fire that mysteriously frees, transforms and purifies us, and unites us with one another, transcending all boundaries, even those of death. The Helpers seek to welcome this love deep within themselves and also to serve this work of love, especially among the most vulnerable, those who suffer, those on the margins, and those searching for meaning in their lives.
From childhood, Eugénie Smet has shown her trust in Providence through the events of her life. To describe her relationship with God Providence, Eugénie Smet speaks of covenant. The idea came to her of “making a covenant with Providence”. As an adult, she understood that trusting in Providence meant becoming “a providence of Providence” herself. For her, this meant making an active commitment. This trust in Providence places us at the heart of the Christian mystery. The ultimate sign of God’s Providence is Jesus Christ. In Him, God has committed Himself and continues to commit himself to human history. In Him, God makes a covenant with humanity, and we recognize that we are the objects of His tenderness. We interpret His infinitely discreet presence in the “signs” we read in our lives as well as in the history of the world.
To commit to action following Christ, with the strength and courage of determination, and in action, to live in surrender to God who will always provide—this is the right attitude that prevents us from falling into frantic activism or careless optimism.
“Saints” are those who seek God. All Christians are sanctified by baptism and called to holiness. Believing in the Communion of Saints means believing in the solidarity that exists among believers: everything good that each person lives and shares, in and for Christ, contributes to the well-being of all. In other words, the smallest act of charity that each person performs on Earth, even in secret, has a ripple effect on everyone. To believe in the Communion of Saints is to believe in the communication of love: the one who loves gives and communicates what he has to the one he loves, and vice versa. It is the solidarity between the living and the dead.
Jesus Christ is the centre of our life as Helpers of the Souls in Purgatory. The foundation of our spirituality is Ignatian spirituality. In it, Mary of Providence discovered the desire to act for the greater glory of God and the foundations of a religious life in the world. We are invited to follow Christ in His love for humanity, to seek God in all things, and to “help men and women attain the purpose of their creation.” Formation, personal and communal discernment, accompaniment, and prayer assist the Helpers in their journey.