St. Mary’s Hospital in Taitung – every taxi driver knows the house with the statue of our lady in front of the entrance. Many mother prayed there before delivering her baby.
About 50 years ago the Irish Medical Sisters of Mary started a small maternity for mothers delivering their child. Of course, every child, every mother was welcome. The house became more and more famous. Thank the care, skill and responsibility and generous hospitality of the Sisters and their nurses.
Years and years came and went. The Irish Sisters were called to another place in Africa. The Daughters of Charity agreed to take it over. The hospital was the hope for everybody, for parents and their children, for sick and strong people. It was especially the hope for the poor. The poor were the first reason to build the house, to call Sisters and doctors from abroad.
At the beginning, young mothers and laughing or crying children filled the house. Now after 50 years it became a center especially for old people who need day care; or lonely people who need a lunch box every day. Beside this care, the hospital started a new way to fulfill the purpose of the hospital “for the poor,” hospice care.
Taitung has several good and big hospitals. St. Mary’s has a special mark and atmosphere among these hospitals, since the beginning. When you read the many stories in this book you may feel it.
Maybe it is the name “St. Mary.” Her spirit is living among doctors, nurses and the sick ones. The human person, a new born child or and old man or woman, they all have priority.
Further – a new way taking care, not for the sick, but care for strong and healthy people, by teaching how prevent sickness: teach people to eat healthy food. Then you can eventually prevent the doctor –and eventually, you save money.
St. Mary’s hospital is a living witness for God’s love and care for all of us, especially for those who are in need. It is a sign for what Jesus said: “Blessed are the poor, the kingdom of God is theirs.”

Taitung, December 2011
Fr. Gotfried Vonwyl