The Servi Jesu et Mariae - SJM

The Servi Jesu et Mariae (Servants of Jesus and Mary, SJM) where founded by Father Andreas Hönisch in the year 1988. Six years later they were raised to a congregation of Papal Right, belonging tot the commission 'Ecclesia Dei'. The founder and superior general, Father Hönisch, has entered the Jesuit Order in Germany after the war. He endured the total turnaround in the sixties. His fellow fathers, who were very zealous and strict in the observance of the rule, have suddenly wandered off into error, and became even the thriving force of it. The life goal that Saint Ignatius presented to his sons, the glory of God by the salvation of the souls, had to make way for a 'better ideal', that was beautifully and veiled descripted as 'social justice'. Now all attention went to the earthly needs of man. The spiritual was almost completely done away with, making those Jesuits scarce that had not abandoned their spiritual life.

Father Hönisch had always been active in the youth apostolate. He founded in 1976 the 'Katholische Pfadfinderschaft Europas' (KPE – Europe scouts) for Germany, at that moment still with the permission of his provincial. Meanwhile the Jesuit order became more and more modernistic. After some time it was proposed to him to either had to abandon his scout work or leave the Jesuit order. Cardinal Ratzinger supported him to continue his work with the KPE. So he did, trying to stay faithful to his spiritual father, saint Ignatius, he was expelled from the Jesuit order.

The KPE produced many vocations. Some of his boys persistently asked Father Hönisch to found a religious community for the apostolate in the KPE. Father Hönisch, who himself never wished to do this, had to admit that with this the work for the glory of God could be done better. So in 1988 he founded the SJM, as closely as possible resembling the Jesuit order, where his heart still is.

As a real Jesuit, he wanted to remain loyal to the pope and his service. So the SJM uses the rite of Paul VI, the rite the Pope celebrates. 'Sentire cum ecclesia' is also now applicable. They also celebrate the Rite that was passed down during the centuries because she radiates more dignity, holiness and devotion and above all is very profitable for the glory of God and the sanctification of the souls.

The SJM started with seven members, and meanwhile grew to almost 50, among which 6 new novices. Her mission area consists of Romania, Kazakhstan, France, Flanders, Austria and Germany. Her apostolate is not reduced to the KPE only. Several fathers work in parishes, give retreats and catechism. Further they have a publishing house. The mother house is situated in Austria, in the diocese of St. Pölten.

More info can be found on the website of the SJM: http://www.sjm-congregation.org