Last Thursday, the Viatorians hosted a Mass and dinner to mark the 100th anniversary of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The four sisters who serve at the Province Center here listened to Fr. Mark’s homily.
In honor of their founding in 1926 by Servant of God Madre María Amada Del Niño Jesús Sánchez Muñoz, Provincial Superior Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, celebrated a Jubilee Mass at the Province Center for the sisters, Viatorians, and friends from around the community.
Since the 1950s, these religious sisters have worked with Viatorians in ministry and assisted our religious at the Province Center and Viatorian community homes all around Illinois, in Washington, DC, and in Belize. Currently, Sr. Angelina Blanco, MSCGpe, Sr. Humberta Hernandez, MSCGpe, Sr. Aida Mancillas, MSCGpe, and Sr. Alejandra Perez, MSCGpe, live in the convent on the Province Center grounds and work at the Province Center, where they also join our religious for daily Mass and prayer.
“A century ago, in a small act of faith, God inspired our founder, Madre Sánchez, to seek the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It continues to bear fruit and take different shapes in many different countries,” Sr. Humberta said, with Fr. Jhobany Orduz, CSV, interpreting, in a reflection at the end of Mass. “100 years for our congregation is a miracle of love, perseverance, and fidelity. Today our word is ‘thank you!’”
Sr. Humberta shared a reflection on behalf of her community, with interpretation from Fr. Jhobany.
In his homily, Fr. Mark noted parallels in the founding of our two communities: the Venerable Louis Querbes founded the Viatorians in the aftermath of the French Revolution, and Madre Sánchez established her community as the Mexican government cracked down on the Church, leading to the Cristero movement that sought to sustain Catholic ministry and social outreach.
Fr. Mark also shared his gratitude on behalf of the many Viatorians who have benefitted from the sisters’ great work and faithful example. “We are celebrating many years of partnership and ministry with us as well as the example the sisters give us of fidelity and holiness. You have provided for our daily needs while also giving great witness to religious life,” Fr. Mark said. “We celebrate with the sisters this centenary of faithfulness and witness. ¡Viva las misioneras!”
The sisters prepared celebratory displays, including this one marking “a century of love and service” in several different countries.
Sr. Humberta noted that this partnership spans about 70 years of her community’s 100-year history: “We celebrate not only a date but also a shared history of faith and walking together. In Arlington Heights, our stories have intertwined through God’s providence. Here, we have a shared sense of being family and living as brothers and sisters.”
Please pray with us for our sisters’ continued ministry and for the cause for sainthood of Madre Sánchez. You can learn more at MariaAmada.org.