January 20, 2016 // Uncategorized

Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters motherhouse resides in county

Todays Catholic

Father John Joseph Sigstein, founder, was a man of prayer, vision and action with great love and compassion for poor and oppressed peoples. He was driven by his sense of being part of God’s mission, and by his devotion to Mary under her title of Our Lady of Victory.

While visiting in the Southwestern United States, he was distressed by the poverty and by the many problems and needs of people that were not being addressed by any existing religious congregation. Father Sigstein founded Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters to meet some of those needs in the areas of religious education, social services and health care among the poor from a personal non-institutional perspective. This ministry called for creative, daring and innovative women who knew how to translate dreams, prayers and visions into actions.

It all began in 1922 with Julia Doyle and Marie Benes, the first two members. Growth of the new congregation was advanced by Archbishop John Francis Noll through the national publication he founded and published, Our Sunday Visitor. Through his generosity the Central House, Victory Noll, was built in Huntington, and named for Our Lady of Victory and Archbishop Noll.

Both Father Sigstein and Archbishop Noll shared responsibility for the founding and growth of the community of the Victory Noll Sisters.

Since working with the poor was a priority of this congregation, Father Sigstein set up a network of associates across the country who were to raise funds that would help the sisters with their own survival needs. These groups of associates would also send food, clothing and religious goods to be distributed among the families and children in need.

Over the years, Victory Noll Sisters have served across the United States and in South America. Their strength is in their diversity — as women religious they have lived counter-culturally and serve in multi-faceted ministries including parish ministries, education, social work, Hispanic ministries and spiritual direction. They advocate for peace and justice, however, their ministries are not limited to these areas.

Father Sigstein and Archbishop Noll are buried in the cemetery at Victory Noll. Usually bishops are buried in their cathedral but Archbishop Noll felt that he would get more prayers at Victory Noll.