Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate
The Sisters are committed to a communal life of prayer
and the service of God’s people.
The Sisters are committed to a communal life of prayer
and the service of God’s people.
Welcome to the Home of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Canada
Welcome to the website of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Canada.
The Congregation of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate is an international congregation of Sisters of the Ukrainian Catholic Church (of the Byzantine rite, in union with Rome). Founded over 100 years ago in Western Ukraine, the Sisters Servants strive to follow the example of their patroness, Mary, the Immaculate Mother of God. The Sisters are committed to a communal life of prayer and the service of God’s people, primarily but not exclusively, those of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
May you come to feel at home with the Sisters. May you find comfort, be enriched and grow in joy and peace, as you get to know them.
About the SSMI Crest
The crest of the Sisters Servants features …
~ the letter “M”: The Sisters, under the protection of Mary Immaculate, walking in faith and trust as she did;
~ the Cross: The Sisters …
- are followers of Christ
- have taken up their own cross
- hold Christ’s cross as their glory and salvation
~ three stars, symbolizing …
- the religious vows of obedience, chastity and poverty
- the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity
- the virtues of meekness, humility and sisterly love
~ the motto of the Sisters: “Glory to God, Honour to Mary, Peace to us.”
Our Community
As a community of women, the Sisters have responded to Christ’s call to dedicate their entire beings and lives to God. In freedom and love, they vow life-long fidelity to evangelical celibacy, poverty and obedience. Through a life of prayer and active service, they are called to share their experience of God’s compassion, forgiveness and unconditional love. They live in community, encouraging and supporting one another in their apostolic life journey. Daily they unite in prayer in response to the requests of many, trusting in the Lord’s words: “Ask, and it shall be given to you.”
What We Do
The Sisters are involved in the ministries of healing and education at every level as well as other apostolates, responding to the needs of the times. The Sisters care for the whole person. Wherever they work they attempt to ‘raise the spirit and ennoble the heart of the people.’ They guide them to assume the apostolic responsibility of Christians through the love and study of Holy Scripture, the Liturgy, and personal prayer. (Constitution, 2006, #59)
Education Ministry
The Sisters educate people of all ages, in mind and spirit, developing their gifts for the service of God and the community.
Latest News
Our Latest News, Events, and More
Sister Mary Holowaty, SSMI 1930-2020
On October 11, 2020, Sister Mary Holowaty, of Ancaster, ON, died at the age of 90, having served 73 years in religious life. Her Life Mary was born in Kitchener, ON, on February 22, 1930, daughter of William (Vasyl) Holowaty and Anne Zuk (Жук), who had both immigrated from the Ternopil region of Ukraine. She was the second of five children, with an older brother, Joseph, two younger brothers, Michael and Walter, and a younger sister, Barbara. Her father and brother Joseph had been ca
Bethany Home Annual Retreat
The Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate at Bethany Home in Winnipeg gathered in August for their annual retreat, where they were invited to pray and reflect on Pope Frances' encyclical, "Laudate Si" (LS), ("Praised Be"). LS is a quotation from St. Frances' own prayer of giving praise to God for Creation. The Encyclical draws on Scripture, church teachings and contemporary scientific explorations. LS is a testament to God who willed all of Creation into being out of God's immense love, as well as
SSMI Celebrate 190 Years of Collective Lives of Service for God’s People.
The heart is truly grateful when it finds it’s Life Path of self-giving Service to Others. SSMI in Winnipeg celebrated their Jubilarian Sisters with great joy on Sunday, August 23 with a Liturgy of Thanksgiving celebrated by Metropolitan Lawrence. Some close friends joined later for a relaxing afternoon in an outdoor space that provided a celebration spirit of appreciation. Sr. Andrea Kruk (60 Year Jubilee), Sr. Marianne Telenko (75 Year Jubilee), and Sr. Ruth Aney (55 Year Jubilee) Sister Maria
Sisters Share the Joy of Consecrated Life from Afar
Sister Lawrencia Semjaniv, SSMI – 60th Anniversary of Consecrated Life The parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Montreal, celebrated a Divine Liturgy for the intention of Sister Lawrencia Semjaniv, SSMI, who is celebrating her 60th Anniversary of Consecrated Life this year. The celebration took place on the evening of August 19, 2020, the Feast of the Transfiguration, on the Julian Calendar, with pastor, Rev. Ihor Oshchipko presiding. Sister Lawrencia entered the SSMI Congrega