Help our Missionary Sisters

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“May is the month of Mary, our mother, however weak, sinful and lost we may be.  Her blue mantle is so wide that it will always provide one more soft fold to shelter each of her frightened children.” Fr. Werenfriend van Straaten Dear Catholic Online Reader,         They walk for hours, sometimes even days, no matter the terrain, no matter the weather.  In isolated, rugged regions, where a vehicle is impractical. Their travel is tiring, and often treacherous.   They walk where no others will travel…         The Missionary Sisters of Jesus visit remote communities like Caraveli, in southeast Peru, a town of 35,000 inhabitants at an altitude of 6,000 feet.  They know that their visit brings hope and joy to many faithful waiting anxiously for their arrival.         It’s easy to see why the Sisters make these laborious treks. There are men, women and children waiting, all in need of the comfort and hope the Sisters bring.  Sister Maria and the Missionary Sisters of Jesus take care of their faithful in so many ways. They teach the Catholic faith; train catechists; they care for the elderly and sick, distributing medicines, and even treat toothaches.  They help pregnant mothers give birth.  They teach cooking and skills to the girls and women. They work diligently to overcome illiteracy and alcoholism.  These Sisters help those whom nobody else helps.     The Sisters’ lives of serving God are hard ones, but fulfilling and enriching.  They care for the poor and forgotten of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Peru. "We go where there are no priests, where there have not been any for months and even years; we go up to altitudes of 16,000 feet and beyond. We help those whom nobody else helps," Sister Maria Immaculata explains.     Wonderfully, despite their many tasks and the often dangerous journeys, the Sisters have no shortage of new vocations. Some 100 of their 400 Sisters today are young women "who, depending on how long they have belonged to the congregation, are either novices, postulants or aspirants," explains Sister Maria Immaculata.      When Sister Maria is asked, “Why this type of missionary work? Why embrace such hardship and danger?” her response is beautiful and simple. She says, “We are driven by the love of Christ.”     It is this love of Christ that unites us all. Your generous support allows us to extend and expand the love of Christ – the soft, sheltering folds of Mary’s blue mantle – to people in the most remote areas, and bring dignity, humanity, care and faith to those who are neglected. Can we count on your prayers and support? Your assistance is vital.      Sister Maria Immaculata explains that through gardening and livestock, the Sisters can provide most of their daily needs.  However, to tend to the sick, to pay for medicine, the long and costly journeys, clothing and other necessities, they need our help.  Your gift will alleviate the burden that they carry for the love of Christ and continue their missionary work with love and compassion.       Thank you for whatever you can give.  May Mary, the Loving Mother, bless you for your generosity and sacrifice.
P.S.  In this Year of Faith, let us support our Sisters and the invaluable work they do bringing Mary’s comfort and hope to those who are suffering.

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