Mater Domini

Mater Domini Mater Domini is a shelter for women in crisis pregnancy, or suffering abuse. Our home is situated in Phone call after phone call ended unsuccessfully.

Mater Domini is run with a specifically Catholic ethos – providing a loving, caring environment that respects the sanctity of life and freedom from abuse for all human beings. We do not discriminate against residents, and will help any woman regardless of race, creed, marital or economic status, who is in an unwanted or crisis pregnancy. At Mater Domini, we provide non-judgmental counseling; and

medical and spiritual support to women and their babies. We also offer access to skills training programmes, and we support them in seeking and securing employment. The establishment of Mater Domini was was born out of the need that existed within Archdiocese of Cape Town to create an alternative to abortion for women who might have felt forced into making such a decision out of desperation. When we talk about the nameless, faceless and voiceless victims of abortion, we have to include the mothers, who so often find themselves in helpless circumstances, with little other alternative but to make the difficult choice to end the life of their unborn child. One such mother, is very much at the heart of the decision we took to establish the Mater Domini Home. About three years ago, the Pro Life office was approached by a pregnancy counselling centre with a request to assist a young mother with accommodation. She had been given an ultimatum by her grandmother; either you have an abortion, or move out! This young woman did not want to have the abortion, but without the assistance of her family or the father of the child, her choices were severely limited. In desperation she approached the crisis counselling centre, in a bid to seek assistance. We immediately started calling around to see if there was any organisation, or religious order within the archdiocese who would be willing and able to assist us. After days of searching for a solution to this predicament, we had to contact the centre, and give them the news that we could not be of any assistance to this woman. The reality of the situation shocked us, and with no means other than our trust in God, we took the leap of faith, and established the Mater Domini Home. Since our opening day in September 2007, there has been no looking back. The need for the home was immediately confirmed. Our original premises in Pinelands was kitted out to accommodate 8 women, but was generally filled to capacity, and often packed to the rafters, with as many as 19 women and children resident at one time. Our first baby was born in November 2007, and since then we have assisted more than 150 women and children at the home, and at last count 41 babies have been born to women at the Mater Domini Home. As you may well imagine, most of the women who find themselves under our care, have been through turbulent times. They suffer not only financial poverty, but by and large emotional and spiritual poverty as well. We try to respond as Jesus calls us to when he says:
” Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me. “

26/03/2026

Today is International Day Of The Unborn Child. We urge you to remember the unseen, speak for the voiceless, and always choose life.

Reminder of our monthly Pro-life Mass on Thursday 5 March 2026 at 6.30pm in the Mater Domini Chapel 🙏 All are welcome.
03/03/2026

Reminder of our monthly Pro-life Mass on Thursday 5 March 2026 at 6.30pm in the Mater Domini Chapel 🙏 All are welcome.

23/01/2026

Pope Leo XIV addressed the 2026 March for Life on Jan. 22, sending participants “warm greetings” and urging them to bring about a society that “safeguards the sanctity of human life.”

The Holy Father’s message was published ahead of the March for Life being held in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23. This is set to be the 53rd year the annual pro-life observance has drawn hundreds of thousands of people to the nation’s capital.

Read his full message: https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/pope-leo-xiv-urges-2026-march-for-life-to-defend-like-at-every-level-of-society

23/01/2026

Thousands will gather for the 53rd National March for Life in the nation’s capital on Friday, Jan. 23.

Every January, tens of thousands of people march on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., for “the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world,” according to the March for Life website. The event’s 2026 theme is “Life Is a Gift,” which invites “all people to rediscover the beauty, goodness, and joy of life itself.”

The theme emphasizes “what lies at the heart of the pro-life movement — an unshakeable conviction that life is very good and worthy of protection, no matter the circumstances,” according to the event’s website. “‘Life Is a Gift’ invites everyone to embrace life as something to be cherished and celebrated from the very beginning.”

Here is the full event schedule for Friday 👉 https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/march-for-life-2026-life-is-a-gift

23/01/2026

My dear friends in Christ,

On this Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children, the Church invites us to pause, pray, and renew our commitment to the dignity of every human life. From the first moment of conception, each life is known, loved, and willed by God. As the Psalmist reminds us, “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb” (Ps 139:13). No life is accidental. Every child bears the image of God and possesses an inviolable dignity that no law or circumstance can erase.

Today is not only a day of prayer, but also a day of hope. We pray for the unborn, whose voices are unheard; for mothers and fathers facing fear, pressure, or uncertainty; and for all who have been wounded by abortion, that they may encounter the healing mercy of Christ. We also pray for our society—that hearts may be softened, consciences awakened, and laws shaped by truth, compassion, and justice.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to be witnesses to life: through our prayer, our advocacy, our generosity, and our care for women, children, and families in need. May the Lord grant us courage to speak the truth in love, perseverance in defending the vulnerable, and trust in His promise that life always triumphs over death.

Your Grace, Archbishop Elect Sithembele Sipuka of Cape Town,With deep gratitude to Almighty God and in communion with th...
09/01/2026

Your Grace, Archbishop Elect Sithembele Sipuka of Cape Town,
With deep gratitude to Almighty God and in communion with the Holy Father, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Mater Domini Board, on your appointment as Archbishop of Cape Town.

As a Catholic pro-life organisation dedicated to the protection of life from conception to natural death, and to the accompaniment of women and families in crisis, we give thanks for your generous fiat to serve the Church in this important shepherding role. Your appointment is a sign of hope at a time when the dignity of human life, marriage, family, and the most vulnerable among us require courageous, compassionate, and faithful leadership.

We assure you of our prayers as you take up this sacred responsibility, that the Holy Spirit may guide your ministry with wisdom, humility, and strength. May Our Lady, Mother of the Church, intercede for you as you proclaim the Gospel of Life, defend the voiceless, and shepherd God’s people with the heart of Christ the Good Shepherd.

Be assured of our continued prayers, support, and collaboration in service of the Gospel and the building of a culture of life.
Yours faithfully in Christ,

Mater Domini Home for Women in Crises Pregnancy and Suffering Abuse
Bernadette Ross
Chairperson of the Board

BLESSINGS AND GREETINGS FROM MATER DOMINI HOME.EPIPHANY AND NEW YEAR BLESSINGS TO ALL ❤️🙏2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣Dear Members of the...
06/01/2026

BLESSINGS AND GREETINGS FROM MATER DOMINI HOME.
EPIPHANY AND NEW YEAR BLESSINGS TO ALL ❤️🙏2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣

Dear Members of the Mater Domini Family,

During this sacred season of Christmas and as we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany which is traditionally celebrated twelve days after Christmas (January 6), I would like to wish you all a blessed Epiphany and a blessed 2026.

[The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek epiphainen, a verb that means "to shine upon," "to manifest," or “to make known.” Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Magi (Three Kings / Wise Men), and the manifestation of Jesus’ divinity and saving mission to all nations (Matt 2:1-12).]

Dear members of the Mater Domini family,
At the beginning of this New Year, I hold each of you—our residents past and present, board members, volunteers, our faithful donors, and our trusted network partners—close in prayer and gratitude.

As I look back on the year 2025, I can sincerely say that we have been truly blessed in so many varied ways. As a wrap up for the year 2025, we were graciously blessed with a beautiful healthy baby girl who was born on the last day of the year. We give thanks to God for all he had done 🙏

We give thanks to God for the gift of Emmanuel, God-with-us, and for His faithful presence throughout the blessed year of 2025. In moments of joy and in times of trial, His light has continued to shine through the love, generosity, and compassion shared within the Mater Domini community.🙌

To our residents, past and present: you are always part of our home and our hearts. Your stories, courage, and hope remind us daily of the dignity and worth of every life.
To our board members, donors and partners, thank you for walking this journey with us—through prayer, support, and faithful commitment—making it possible for Mater Domini Home to remain a place of refuge, healing, and mercy for women and children in crisis.❤️

As we enter 2026, may the light revealed at the Epiphany 🌠guide your paths, bring peace to your hearts, and renew your strength. 🙌🤍🕊️
May Our Lady, Mater Domini, wrap you and your loved ones in her maternal care, and may the Lord bless you abundantly in the year ahead. 🙌
We wish you and your loved ones a New Year filled with peace, healing, and renewed hope. ✌️🙌

May God’s blessing rest upon you, and may we continue to walk together in compassion and service.🙏

With prayerful gratitude and every blessing,🙏🙌

Bernadette A Ross
Chairperson of the Board of Directors

_🙏Inspired by faith, guided by compassion to serve.🙏❤️_

Mater Domini Home
Giving Hope to Women in Crises Pregnancy & Abuse._

Let us open our hearts and be joyful in preparation for our Savior Jesus Christ 🙏❤️
14/12/2025

Let us open our hearts and be joyful in preparation for our Savior Jesus Christ 🙏❤️

14/12/2025
Heartfelt Thank You from all of us at Mater Domini Home 🙏🎄❤️We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended our...
14/12/2025

Heartfelt Thank You from all of us at Mater Domini Home 🙏🎄❤️

We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended our Carols by Candlelight celebration.🙏 Your presence, prayer, and joyful participation made the event truly special and faith-filled.

A heartfelt thank you to all who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to create such an awe-inspiring setting — from those cleaning the garden and especially those who set up the beautiful stage, the manger with the live animals, and the stunning decorative atmosphere that helped bring the Nativity to life.

We are deeply grateful to our incredible band and choir for their uplifting music and soulful singing, which ministered to us and drew our hearts closer to Christ through song. Your presence was indeed a blessing and a delightful surprise.
Special thanks also to the Men’s Ministry from the Archdiocese of Cape Town, for their generous assistance, dedication, and support throughout the event.

We are especially thankful to Fr. Mark Pothier, our Chaplain for his opening prayer and blessings, which grounded the evening in faith and reminded us of God’s abiding presence among us.

As we celebrate this sacred season of Advent and on Gaudete Sunday, we rejoice in the nearness of our Lord’s coming. May the joy symbolised by the rose candle of Advent fill our hearts with hope, peace, and renewed faith, as we prepare to welcome Christ among us.

Above all, we give thanks and praise to Almighty God, from whom all blessings flow. Without His grace, guidance, and love, none of this would have been possible. To Him be all glory and honour.

May the joy and peace of Christ born among us remain in our hearts always.

May God bless all of you. 🙌+

Bernadette Ross
Chairperson/Director
Mater Domini Home

Address

Claremont
Cape Town
7708

Telephone

+27798916749

Website

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