
	"MARTYRS"

Sr. Agatha Rath

Sr. Agnes Holler

Sr. Angela Balka

Sr. Anna Utsch

Sr. Sophia Schmitt

1. "Martyrdom" in the Baining Mountains:

From its very beginning in 1882, the South Seas Mission was a very demanding one. For the bearers of the faith, the cost was great. Already in the twenty years prior to our Sisters coming there 35 missionaries - Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters - had died as they fulfilled their missionary tasks under the hard conditions of their daily life. In 1903, the first MSC Sisters travelled to the mission of St. Paul in the Baining Mountains, founded by Father Rascher in 1898. In the early morning of August 13, 1904, there was the news of a bloody attack. In a matter of minutes two Fathers, three Brothers, and five Sisters succumbed to the weapons of their attackers. Most of them were struck down in the midst of their missionary tasks. They died for their Faith and for Christian Morality because To Maria, a Baining man, who had lived most of his life away from his people, disregarded the sacredness of marriage. The missionaries and some Christian Baining people gave witness to the Good News with their lives. This was the day when the young Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, received its Baptism of Blood. The first Sisters who had given their lives in service to the Missions, died as witnesses to their missionary vocation.

2. Replacement of Sisters:

Father Linckens is in the South Pacific at that time. With the first boat to leave the islands, he sends a telegram to Hiltrup, informing them of the tragedy. At the end of the telegram he adds: "Send replacements immediately!" And that happens. After the first dismay and sadness of the sisters, enthusiasm follows for the spreading of the faith overseas, coupled with the readiness to replace the victims immediately.

3. Rapid Growth of the Congregation:

The news of the murders works its way through the German press. Instead of being put off, many young women now believe they have the calling and feel encouraged to put their own lives into the missionary service. More women join the order than can be sent as missionaries to the South Pacific. The martyrdom of five of our sisters along with five other missionaries generates new enthusiasm, and new blessing on the mission work.

4. Centenary of Baining "Martyrs" - MSC Sisters in PNG:

In 2004 celebrations were held in the Baining mountains to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of the missionaries killed there in 1904, five of whom were MSC Sisters. These celebrations showed clearly the desire and hope for a new future, among people drawn to the love of Jesus. Thousands of people of faith, young and old, European and Melanesian came together in a spirit of forgiveness and committed themselves, in this new Millennium, to following Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life.


Cemetery at St. Paul’s: From left to right - graves of Br. Alois Bley, OCSO; Br. Eduard Plaschaert, MSC; Br. Johannes Schellekens, MSC; Sr. Angela Balka, MSC; Fr. Heinrich Rütten, MSC; Sr. Sophia Schmitt, MSC; Sr. Agatha Rath, MSC; Sr. Agnes Holler, MSC and Sr. Anna Utsch, MSC. In the foreground is the simple Centenary Cross carried up in procession from Vunamarita to St. Paul’s on August 13^th 2004. During the preceding year, August 2003-2004, this cross was used in pilgrimage in all the sub Parishes of Vunamarita and Raunsepna.			Members of the Baining communities holding photos of the missionary martyrs, the statue of the Sacred Heart for St. Paul’s Church presented by the MSC Sisters and the copy of the first edition of the book commemorating the “Martyrdom” at St. Paul’s. At the rear: Peter Karanam; Middle row – left to right: A. Paitpracha (Vunamarita), C. Uber (Lan), Masnaraut (Lan), M. Mainjiam (Lassul), Lavisan (Lan); Front row – left to right: Hamuleng (Lan), P. Inangien (Takis), Dauit (Lan), Walem (Lan), Tarangachan (Lan), Ilangbet (Lan), August 14, 2004

Baining dancers in the foreground, wearing wearing specially designed headress. The rattan masks of the a singalki dancers were particularly striking with their bold red ‘axe head’ motif which, within the context of the celebration, may also be interpreted as symbolizing the blood and cross of ‘martyrdom’. The offertory procession was composed of male and female representatives of the Baining people from Vunamarita, Puktas and Lan bringing up the offertory gifts.			In contrast to the movement down the mountain at the time of the martyrdom 100 years ago, the centenary anniversary day began with a ‘two hour’ procession up from Vunamarita to the graves at St. Paul’s carrying the Centenary Cross. The pilgrims are shown arriving at the graves where Baining dancers reverently stand paying respect to the deceased as prayers are said in thanksgiving for the faith and life of the missionary “martyrs”.