By Mauricio Castillo Cortes, Unit Communicator, Bolivia (Province of Bolivia / Chile)
With great fanfare, the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd commemorated 170 years of presence in San Felipe, Chile, and Latin America. This significant anniversary was marked by a commemorative program rich in memory, spirituality, and community, bringing together sisters, partners-in-mission, and the wider Church community to celebrate the Good Shepherd mission, particularly in support of women and girls in vulnerable situations.
Good Shepherd mission
Activities began on Thursday, May 22, with a day of reflection titled “Day of Our Legacy,” focusing on the impact of the Good Shepherd mission, both past and present. Renowned historian Sol Serrano, professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and recipient of the 2018 National History Award, gave a presentation based on her book Traveling Virgins, which highlights the stories of French sisters who came to Chile between 1837 and 1874.
Sister Érika Sánchez, Congregational Counselor, also addressed the current challenges and horizons of the Good Shepherd mission. The event was held in the main hall of the Buen Pastor San Felipe Heritage Complex, a site rich in history and meaning for the Congregation.
Sister Sandra Suárez Cordero, Provincial Leader of Bolivia and Chile, said, “It has been a celebration of living memory, of stories woven with compassion and dedication. This celebration is a tribute to so many people who have brought the charism to life, bringing love and hope to those most in need.”
Gathering as a Community
On Friday, May 23, the community experienced a moving Eucharist celebration presided over by Bishop Gonzalo Bravo Álvarez. The event was streamed on social media, allowing sisters and partners-in-mission from around the world to participate. Attendees included representatives from Santa María Eufrasia School, María Reina Polytechnic High School, former students of the Buen Pastor home, members of religious and lay communities, the Buen Pastor San Felipe Foundation, and the Center for Spirituality.
Sister Francisca Ponce shared her emotion: “I’m moved by the energy of those who join us, who resonate with our spirituality and inspire us. Beyond our differences, it is Jesus who brings us together, and that is the essence of these 170 years of mission.”
A Living History
The commemoration also included a guided tour of the heritage complex’s historic areas, such as the orchard, the original grotto, and the mausoleum, providing a tangible connection to the living history of the Congregation.
On Saturday, May 24, renowned organist Jaime Carter performed on the Cavaillé-Coll organ, which was declared a historic monument in 2013. The concert took place in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and concluded with an informal gathering.
President and co-founder of Fundación Mujer Levántate, and winner of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, Sister Nelly León Correa, shared a reflection that linked the past to the present. :
“God has woven this story for 170 years. Walking through these places, where so many consecrated women and girls lived and transformed their reality, fills us with emotion. Today, seeing how the Good Shepherd mission expands through committed partners-in-mission is a sign that the charism remains alive and moving,” she said.
Following this, Sister Julia Saito from the Province of Argentina/Uruguay shared an inspiring reflection: “Taking part in this commemoration has been an immense gift. Thinking of those first sisters who left everything behind challenges me to live today with the same commitment, in a different but equally demanding context. History pushes us to move forward, ready for whatever God wants, wherever He wants,” she concluded.
The celebrations will conclude on Saturday, June 7, with the theatrical performance “Mission of Love,” directed by Verónica Barrera Alfaro and performed by La Huifa Theater Company, at the San Felipe Municipal Theater. Through the performing arts, the transformative spirit of the Good Shepherd across time will be made visible.
170 years on, the Good Shepherd mission remains alive, renewed in every face it welcomes, accompanies, and transforms. A story still being written with compassion, faith, and commitment.
