Peruvian Providence Associates.
BY SISTER UNA BYRNE
For Sister Sara Jimenéz and our Associates in Peru, the celebration of the feast of St. Vincent de Paul is a very important event. Fortunately for us, Sister Gayle Desarmia and I arrived in Carabayllo, Peru a few days before the feast so we were there to celebrate with them.
Preparations began with a visit to the market on Saturday morning to buy supplies for the gathering on Sunday afternoon. The market is not too far from our house and is a very interesting place, from the chickens hanging in the stalls to the guinea pigs in cages waiting to be sold for a good meal. From there we went to Pepe’s school to set up for the fiesta the next day. That afternoon, Sara, Carmen Alomía Guía (Director of Associates in Peru) and the two of us made the two-hour trip down to the church of the Vincentian Fathers, to celebrate with many other religious communities and organizations bearing the name of St. Vincent de Paul. There were hundreds of people from all over the area. The church was packed, the music was so alive with much clapping and loud singing by all those present. The musicians had different instruments including drums, guitars and even spoons! There were shouts of olé in the singing and in response to Father’s homily!
The next day, Sunday, we carried our little statue of St. Vincent from the shrine at our house, down to the local parish church, lglesia Cristo Luz de Mundo where it was put under the larger parish statue at the front of the church. Our Associates introduced the feast at the beginning of the Mass and then a number of them took on the other ministry roles. We were happy to hear Sister Sara give the reflection which was applauded by the congregation. Sister Gayle and I were asked to carry up the bread and wine, and later, the priest asked Sister Gayle to be a Communion Minister also. At the end of Mass, after many photos were taken, we retrieved our little statue and all went in procession up to the school where it was set up in a special setting prepared the day before. It was wonderful to be with so many of our Associates as we shared a light lunch, and were introduced to the newest candidates. Carmen and Sister Gayle both spoke to the group in Spanish encouraging them in their living out of our charism and their imitation of St. Vincent de Paul’s love and care for the poor.
Meeting Associates or their sons and daughters, who were educated by the donations to the Marillac Mission Fund, which ended after 45 years in 2023, and supported and encouraged by the Sisters, gave me a great feeling of gratitude. So many are professionals now, able to help their own people and continue the work for justice still needed so badly in that country today. May we always keep a close, strong bond with them no matter the distance between us.
Sister Sara Jiménez preaches the homily.
