A Significant Date Ninety Years Ago: 11th February 1936
On September 30th 1925, the Society of Catholic Medical Missionaries was officially started in Washington DC with two doctors and two nurses. After one year, before the first departure to the missions in Rawalpindi, the pioneer members decided to make a solemn promise to keep to the Constitution of the Society, binding themselves by an oath to remain in the Society and to undertake the work assigned.
On 23rd September 1926, the first members made their first solemn promises and oaths for three years. One day later, Dr Lyons went for her first mission involvement to India. With these promises, Medical Missionaries entered the list of regular, duly authorised and highly blessed religious organisations, becoming part of the formal sisterhood of the Catholic Church.
At the General Chapter held in 1932, the Sisters discussed the question: is this commitment worthwhile, even if we are not allowed to make public vows? There was a great discussion about the manner of commitment, the solemn promise, the mission oath and the possibility of taking three vows. The form available was not entirely satisfactory as a symbol of the dedication of their lives. The oath, while clear in its obligations and strong in its binding force, was unattractive to those outside the community. The taking of the three vows publicly was regarded as an eminently desirable form of obligation for the individuals, being in line the true character of the Society and the recognition of the Catholic public. However, there were still the barriers of Church norms preventing members, who were involved in the practice of obstetrics and surgery, from making public vows. So, it was duly decided that on the day on which Sisters take the mission oath, they make private vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for the length of time that is covered by the oath.
Soon afterwards, a notice came from Rome with the information that a committee had been set up to study the practice of midwifery by Sisters in the missions at the request of bishops in Africa and elsewhere. The Society was asked its experiences.
The fruit of this study was the Instruction ‘Constans ac Sedula’ of February 11th 1936. It came ninety years ago from the Sacred Religious Institute for Propagation of the Faith to Religious Institutes of Women regarding the assistance of mothers and infants in missionary lands. This decree expressed the desire for new communities to be founded dedicated to healthcare work in mission countries, stating that they should be established ‘ad iuris communis’ - that is, with public vows, and that the Sisters should secure certificates as doctors and nurses. Older communities were also encouraged to take up the work, with the stipulation that no Sister be obliged by her superiors to undertake obstetrical work, only those willing to accept this special charge of mission charity.
As a result of the Instruction, Sisters could make final vows and the Society could become a religious congregation under the Sacred Congregation for Propagation, since it was born in the missions and its work was missionary. Dr Anna Dengel received this document of approval, issued by Cardinal Dougherty and duly authorised by the Sacred Congregation of Religious, dated 22nd February 1941.
Finally, on August 15th, 1941, Cardinal Dougherty presided at a simple ceremony of profession during which twenty four Sisters made perpetual and thirty eight Sisters made temporary public vows. On this occasion, Cardinal Dougherty declared that this was one of THE satisfactions of his life.
The Decree of Propaganda Fide of 1936 put Rome’s stamp of approval on Sisters studying medicine. Indeed, Pope Pius XI said, “Your Society responds to my thought and desire.”
Although the Society grew only slowly in the beginning, it grew steadily and from the many requests from mission bishops for medically trained sisters, it was evident that it filled a need.
Significantly, the 11th February is celebrated annually as the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes - Lourdes being a place of healing presence. In 2026, this date also coincided with the 34th World Day of the Sick, which was solemnly celebrated in Chiclayo, Peru. This year, Pope Leo XIV recommended reflecting, once again, on the figure of the Good Samaritan because he is always relevant and essential for rediscovering the beauty of charity and the social dimension of compassion.
“Love for our neighbour is tangible proof of the authenticity of our love for God.” (Pope Leo XIV)