In this very interesting article Sr. Maura Nagle shares the experience of her recent return visit to Trujillo. The article gives us encouraging insights into the contribution of Mercy Sisters to the wellbeing and support of various communities in Peru.
Trujillo
What was only a dream for a long time became a reality in January. This time when I returned to Trujillo, it was as if Ireland was once again setting foot on Peruvian soil. I, of course, was the person but such a warm welcome awaited me when I got off the plane, that I could see that the people were overjoyed just to meet again somebody from Cork, remembering the Sisters and priests who had been part of their lives since the 1960’s. A deep sense of gratitude filled my heart as I recognised so many faces and amid flowers and flags, I could hear the music and singing.
I spent most of my visit in La Caridad Convent, the first Mercy convent built by Bishop Lucey and the Cork and Ross Diocese. On February 17th, we had a very special day. I was celebrating the 60th anniversary of my Religious Profession this year. Peruvians love celebrations and so the Sisters went all out to make the occasion a most memorable day. It began with Mass in the Parish Church, beautifully decorated, three concelebrants and a special choir. Most of those present were people that I knew over the years and this was a reunion for them as they participated in the Mass.
All were invited to a meal in the open, under a very hot sun and in the afternoon there was plenty of music, speeches and singing. So many expressed their gratitude to the priests and Sisters, mentioning many by name, whom they loved for over 50 years. It was quite emotional really as many were now quite old and were so glad to be part of the celebration. There must have been so much preparation for days beforehand. The Sisters and the groups they are involved with deserve a big thank you for making the day so special. It was recorded on video and copies are available. A great legacy has been left behind, including health care, education, pastoral care of the people, preparation for the Sacraments, training in skills to improve the lives of so many. The truth was that education was a passport out of poverty. Schools, churches, healthcare centres, etc. were started as soon as the Cork and Ross Mission began.
Mons. Tom Duggan, a priest in Cork, volunteered to work with St. James Missionary Society in Lima in the early 1960’s. A few short weeks later this 70 year old priest collapsed and died in Peru. Bishop Lucey travelled to Peru for the funeral and was invited to go up country to what was then, pure desert. The people were very poor; there was no education nor health care for them. They had come from the Sierra (Mountains) in search of a better life.
Bishop Lucey fell in love with Peru and on returning home to Cork, he dreamed of taking on a huge task. The people responded to his request and millions was collected and soon priests were volunteering to go to Peru. In a short time, Sisters from Cork and later Kerry, volunteered too and so the Mission began. The rest is history.
Ministries
Misericordia Convent
The Peruvian Sisters are involved in many ministries in our Mission areas. One Irish Mercy Sister from Mayo still lives and works in Lima. There is now a second convent called Misericordia which opened about five years ago in Alto Trujillo and some of the Sisters live there.
Sal y Luz del Mundo (Salt and Light of the World) is a drug and alcohol centre, where men and boys are invited to spend up to a year in rehab. A Mercy Sister runs this centre with a team and literally goes out to areas where these unfortunate men are often homeless and in desperate conditions and invites them in. They have food and shelter and are helped in a caring, loving community.
Women’s Prison
Hundreds of women become involved in crime, very often they are small fry in drug dealing, often are pregnant and keep their babies with them until they reach the age of 3 years. Conditions are not good to say the least. A Mercy Sister and her volunteer group visit these women, often bringing them basic needs such as toiletries, baby clothes, etc. They are allowed to talk with them and pray with them if asked to. As they say ‘these women have lost their freedom but not their dignity.’ Naturally there is tight security and supervision during these visits.
House Mothers
Over 20 women have undertaken to provide after school care for children. Each House Mother takes 10 children into her home. A meal is ready for the children and they are allowed to rest and do their homework until their own mothers return from work in the factories. The 20 mothers are paid and the food is given to a group to prepare the meal. All of this enables the children’s mothers to have a job and know that the children are safe. It is a big project and is financed by a group in Florida. These House Mothers have basic training at the start of each year and all is overseen by a Mercy Sister.
CETPRO
CETPRO is a centre that teaches adult men and women a variety of practical subjects such as cookery, hairdressing, dressmaking, shoe making, carpentry, cake decorating, etc. The centre is called Our Lady of Mercy Institute. Students enrol for one year and on completion of the course, they have a graduation day where they receive a certificate with great pride. This all began on a smaller scale in 1976 and gradually got bigger. Over the years many Mercy Sisters worked in this centre which is now a three-storey building with many lay teachers and again is supervised by a Mercy Sister.
Free Legal Aid, Etc.
Many women in very difficult situations are not able to pay a solicitor and often they have psychological problems so free legal aid is offered at a clinic. One Sister is in charge and professional people offer their services free. They can attend weekly and solicitors and psychologists can make such a difference to these poor women with huge domestic problems.
Parish Work is where Sisters prepare children for the Sacraments and visit families in their homes and in hospital.
Education: Three Sisters are teaching full time in Secondary State Schools where many classrooms have more than forty students in very unhealthy conditions, without air conditioning, at high temperatures.
Care of the Earth and Laudato Si is high on the agenda of many students and again a Mercy Sister is very involved with such groups.
I have witnessed the love and care given to mentally and physically challenged children and their parents during my visit. Sisters and volunteer groups have taken the children and their parents to a park for the day, where they are provided with games, drinks and food. This was such a treat for them and they went home tired but happy after a day they will remember.
Mache
For some years, Sisters lived in this remote area of the Sierra (Mountains) in Peru. They lived and ministered in many villages where they were loved by the people and travelled long distances engaged in preparing many for the Sacraments and providing pastoral care and generally sharing their lives. Even sheep-rearing was introduced there by friends of the Mission from Florida.
In recent times, this Mission has been entrusted to the local people.
Left to Right: Srs. Calixta, Dora, Juanita, Angelica, Maureen, Erika and Aurea
Over the years the Mercy Sisters have made a difference in Trujillo getting huge financial support from Mercy Sisters, lay people and donations. People who had been condemned to a life of poverty from birth have seen the possibility of a changed life over the years because of the Cork and Ross mission.
While the political situation is very unstable all over Peru and there is a lot of fear and violence, the people always have hope of a better tomorrow and their faith and trust in God is amazing. They may be poor, but their homes are always open and their generosity is boundless. Music is a big part of their lives and though poor by our standards, they love to celebrate Fiestas and birthdays, dancing and sharing whatever they have. There is great respect for the elderly and they are cared for in the home.
Those of us who have had the privilege of spending years among the Peruvian people, will be forever grateful for all that we received from them, even though we struggled with language, climate and culture, they taught us more than we could ever teach them.
We can only say Mil Gracias to the people for accepting us into their lives, leaving us with lasting memories and gratitude.
Maura Nagle rsm
Southern Province
