Foundation
The Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate, the Pallottine Sisters, was founded in Rome in 1838 by St Vincent Pallotti (1795–1850). He gathered women drawn to his vision of the apostolate. These women became the first Pallottine Sisters.
After its foundation, the Congregation grew stronger and expanded beyond Italy. The first Pallottine Sisters arrived in Poland in 1934. It was sisters from the Polish Province who came to Zhytomyr in 1989.
Charism
The Pallottine Sisters’ mission is to foster growth in faith and love among lay people and awaken their awareness of their apostolic vocation.
An integral part of the Congregation’s charism is attentiveness to the needs of the times and openness to everything that concerns people today.
Motto
“For the infinite glory of God, the destruction of sin and the salvation of souls.”
Formation
The Congregation accepts young women between eighteen and thirty years of age. Candidates over thirty require special permission from the Provincial Superior.
The first stage of formation is candidacy, during which a candidate deepens her religious knowledge and becomes more familiar with the sisters’ daily life.
Postulancy, the second stage, lasts one year. During this time, postulants discern their vocation, devote more time to prayer and personal spiritual growth, and come to understand the sisters’ apostolic mission.
The next stage is the novitiate. For two years, novices continue to deepen their religious knowledge, work on their personal formation and learn about the Pallottine Congregation’s mission. Above all, the novitiate prepares them to make their first vows.
The first vows of chastity, poverty and obedience conclude this initial period of formation and open the next stage, known as the juniorate. At her first profession, the sister receives the religious habit and veil, signs of her particular belonging to Jesus Christ.
The juniorate lasts six years. Throughout this period, the sisters undertake apostolic service in the different areas of our work entrusted to them by the provincial leadership.
After the juniorate, the sisters make their perpetual vows, expressing their commitment to serve God and people throughout their lives in the Congregation of the Pallottine Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate.
Today
The sisters serving in Ukraine belong to the Polish Province, based in Warsaw. The General House is in Rome.
The principal Pallottine centre in Ukraine is the house in Zhytomyr, founded in 1991.
The spiritual daughters of St Vincent have also worked in Kamianyi Brid, Baranivka District, since 1995; in Korostyshiv since 2003; and in Horodok, Lviv Region, since 2004.
Activities
The sisters teach catechism to children, young people and adults, prepare them to receive the sacraments, and lead activities in the Little Apostle and Young Apostle communities, Bible and Rosary groups, and theatre groups. They organise weekly formation meetings for lay members of the Union of Catholic Apostolate. They serve in sacristies and help people who are poor, sick or lonely, as well as large families.
Through their work, the Pallottine Sisters revitalise the religious life of the laity and help their faith grow, thus living out their own vocation.
Being a Pallottine Sister… What Does It Mean?
Being a Pallottine sister… What is it like? What does it mean?
Above all, belonging to the Pallottine family is a great privilege, and living the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience is a great honour. We wish to follow Jesus Christ as his disciples, just as our holy founder did.
Being a Pallottine sister means nurturing in one’s heart the same ideals, desires and dreams that Fr Pallotti cherished.
Being a Pallottine sister means that, despite life’s difficulties and temptations both external and internal, every morning we draw strength from the Eucharist and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, remain attentive to the needs of the times, and go wherever people need spiritual or material help, support, shared prayer and other forms of assistance.
If you are interested in our way of life, our service to God and the charism of St Vincent Pallotti, please contact us at:
Address of the Pallottine Sisters:
11 Second Kakhovskoho Lane
Zhytomyr 10006, Malovanka District
Tel./fax: (0412) 24-07-29
Email: pallotynki@mail.ru