THE ANTONINE SISTERS
ORIGINS OF THE ANTONINE SISTERS
The origins of the Antonine Congregation go back to Saint Anthony of the Desert, called
the Father of Monastic life. As a Community, the Antonine Sisters belong to the Antiochene
Maronite Church.
The cloistered Communities of Religious Women in Lebanon were found in Lebanon as early as
1787. There they lived in four independent Monasteries following the spiritual way of
Saint Anthony of the Desert.
A member of the Jezzine Community, Sister Isabelle Khoury, aware of the crying need for
education among the poor living in small villages, obtained permission to found a Convent
together with a school outside Beirut, Lebanon.
In 1940, Mother Isabelle Khoury's Community received Papal permission to engage in
apostolic ministries outside the Convent.
Since 1954, the Antonine Sisters have greatly extended their apostolate. They now work in
such diversified ministries as education, health, and social services. They also are
actively engaged in parochial, cultural, religious, liturgical and scriptural programs.
At present, the Antonine Sisters number around 200.
SPIRITUALITY OF THE ANTONINE SISTERS
Following the spirit of Saint Anthony of the Desert, the Antonine Sisters try to live two indispensable dimensions:
The Contemplative one, which emphasises celebration of the Eucharist and the different mysteries, a life of prayer (Divine Offïce, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary), and meditation on Scripture.
The Communal Dimension based on love of the poor, evangelical simplicity, and a spirit of family which includes mutual aid, hospitality, and communion.
APOSTOLATE OF THE ANTONINE SISTERS
INSIDE LEBANON Religious Formation
Great care and attention are given today to the formation of young girls, including
aspirants to the religious life as well as postulants and novices and all sisters who are
newly professed.
The Antonine Sisters consider a holistic approach for educating children and youth in
their different schools. Sisters and lay teachers endeavour to foster the spiritual,
intellectual, social, and physical dimensions of their students in all parts of Lebanon,
regardless of the student's religious affiliation.
Social Work
The Sisters administer two hospitals, an adult care centre, and a facility
for the mentally handicapped. They work in medical centres and dispense
food and clothing to the needy. They take care of orphans and children
whose parents cannot care for them.
The Sisters provide accommodation for university students and young workers. They maintain
retreat houses for persons seeking to spend time with the Lord.
Specialised Service
The sisters work in many villages engaging in catechetics, preparation for the reception
of the mysteries and Bible Studies.
OUTSIDE LEBANON
The Antonine Sisters Congregation is a worldwide Community of religious
women, serving also in Syria, Cyprus, Israel, France, Australia, Canada,
and U.S.A.
Apostolic Initiative
At present, the Order promotes not only the Monastic life of its members, but serves the Maronites wherever they have gone. They have assisted their people across the globe, providing spiritual nourishment and maintaining links, especially with those who left Lebanon during the tragic years of the Civil War. In response, the Antonine Sisters determined to spread their apostolate outside Lebanon.
The Order's work in Australia is part of their world-wide activity. The Sisters in Melbourne run a Child Care Centre, operate Antonine College, catering for Prep to Year Twelve on two campuses and they manage Saint Paul's Hostel for the elderly.
The Tau "T"
The emblem of the Antonine Sisters is the Tau or T of Saint Anthony the Great, who was known
as the Father of the Desert (Egypt 250-355). The early Coptic Christians of Egypt adopted
this symbol; the symbol of life for the ancient Pharaohs. As a Christian symbol, this
Cross developed a rich significance:
- Biblical: sign of election, salvation, confirmation;
- Theological: as sign of death, resurrection, hope.
- Monastic: as sign of contemplation, vigil.
In time, this monastic cross lost the oval and became simply T.
THE ANTONINE SISTERS IN MELBOURNE
Responding to the
needs of the Lebanese Community in Melbourne, the Antonine Sisters Congregation in Lebanon sent 4 sisters who arrived
on the 17th October 1980. With the sisters arrival, a Saturday school was established, and on 16th November 1986,
the Sisters had opened a Child Care Centre.
Since then the sisters have increased in number as their vision for developing the communities children have developed.
The Antonine Sisters have not only established a Child Care Centre, but also opened a Primary School in 1998, followed by a Secondary Campus, which opened in 2002 to form Antonine College offering Prep – 12. The Antonine Sisters also manage St. Paul’s Hostel for the Elderly, which was established in 1995.
Sister Daad Azzi is the current Mother Superior in Australia and is also the Principal of Antonine College. Sister Salam Mouawad is the Manager of Saint Paul's Hostel for the elderly, and Sister Marie Nassar manages the Child Care Centre.
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