Virgula Schmitt’s legacy continues from Ruteng to Labuan Bajo

Ruteng — Sr. Virgula Schmitt’s work continues through communities in Cancar near Ruteng and Binongko near Labuan Bajo, according to a Floresa feature published on September 28, 2026.

The report says the German-born nun’s work remains visible in care for patients, support for children and the lives of Damian alumni who have become independent. It identifies Panti Damian Cancar and Binongko as part of her legacy in Flores.

Virgula arrived in Manggarai in 1966 and began her early service in Cancar, the report says. The work later expanded to Binongko, north of Labuan Bajo’s city centre, 30 years afterwards.

Why the legacy matters in Flores

The two centres connect social service in western Flores with the area’s changing public profile around Labuan Bajo, according to the report. Cancar is in Ruteng subdistrict, while Binongko is near Labuan Bajo at the western end of Flores.

The feature says Virgula returned to Europe in 2011 after her health declined. She died on June 27, 2022, aged 93. The Damian community now marks that date annually as an occasion of gratitude rather than mourning.

The report also says Virgula established the Santo Damian Foundation for social services, alongside the Dian Yosefa Foundation for education and the Santo Rafael Foundation for medical services.

Independent reports also describe her role in developing rehabilitation and medical services in Cancar and Binongko. A 2026 Global Sisters Report article says the Binongko centre had been open for 30 years and served as a sister facility to the Cancar centre.

Sources

• Floresa — Indonesian news feature
• Global Sisters Report — Catholic news publication
• katolikku.com
• fides.org