The sisters in Chile are part of the Amerindian Province.
In 1934, three sisters from Augsburg and Bamberg arrived in Chile, in the north of the country. They started a school for girls in the following year. Since then, other German sisters arrived as missionaries.
In 1953 the small seed grew to become a tree-the Province of Chile. Currently they are present in Antofagasta, Santiago, Chillán, San Carlos, San Ignacio and San Fabián de Alico.
© CJ Amerindia
Today, there are 34 CJ sisters in Chile, living in seven communities all around the country, including one in Argentina. Educational ministry, through the coordination network of five schools, including a vocational technical school, is still the main apostolate of the province. There is also an apostolic community in a rural area, working in the pastoral and social projects of the parish.
Since the 1st April 2021, Chile belongs to the Amerindian province, as a result of the union of the former provinces of Argentina, Brazil and Chile.
The three countries where CJ are present have a close relationship with the Loreto Region in Peru: they do Ongoing Formation workshops and Spiritual Exercises together, collaborate in Initial Formation and Leadership and regularly exchange views and share the same vision.
More information in their facebook profile: Familia Mary Ward Amerindia
We are an international multicultural congregation of around 1,800 sisters present in more than 40 countries around the globe. Founded in 1609 by the Venerable Mary Ward, we are a group of unenclosed apostolic religious women, rooted in the Ignatian Spirituality.
We are working in different areas and projects – not out of ourselves, but because we allow ourselves to be sent by God. We form our sisters to be mobile and available, willing to go wherever they are sent. We expect them to strive, like Mary Ward, to have that inner freedom to respond to the call to leave all and follow Christ with passion and compassion.
“Vocation” – a word that tastes of MORE, of what Saint Ignatius of Loyola called “THE MAGIS”: Longing, meaning, fullness of life, a task and the experience of being needed. It sounds like someone who is calling me personally and with whom I can give my life a unique shape.
People all over the world are inspired and enthusiastic about Mary Ward and her way of following Jesus. There are different ways to join our network and become part of the wider Mary Ward Family.
Mary Ward once said: “I listened to God’s deep dream for me and felt a longing to respond.”
In this spirit, we invite you to pray with us. We offer a variety of prayers and material for reflection.
