A PASSAGE TO MISSION FRONTIERS

The missionary spirit and passion for mission frontiers in each generation of Claretian sisters across the world begun 174 years ago, Feb 22, 1852. Our mother Foundress Maria Antonia Paris and her companions Florentina Sangler, Antonia and Maria Gual and Maria Josefa Caixal, embarked for Cuba marched with conviction and readiness to the will of God, deepened through their personal encounter with the Lord in the temple of daily life. They transcended general societal limitations imposed on Spanish women at a time when the refrain “la mujer en casa, y con la pata quebrada” they walked the distance with certainty that God would always place them under his shadow. It wasn’t an easy trip for women at the time, facing hazardous conditions, voyages, particularly on sailing ships, were long and dangerous. Steerage passengers faced poor hygiene, disease, and, in bad weather, confinement in dark, unventilated spaces. Our Mother foundress and her companions chose the simplest place in the ship neglecting the offer from the captain to a safest and better place. They rejoiced in simplicity and touched the hearts of the sailors throughout their journey. They faced a safety risk with Shipwrecks; the sailors were a constant fear because they were in the mid of the ocean with limited rescue options, but the sisters stayed calm and invited them into prayer that put the captain and the sailors in peace.

After a long and hazardous three months journey, they arrived in Port de Santiago Cuba, 26 May 1852, five young women arrived at the port of Santiago de Cuba.

This Year our Congregation will begin a new step of formation program “ one Novitiate for all” and  the first batch of novices from across the world begin their Novitiate Journey in Spain. There they will share their uniqueness, live in cultural exchange in a Claretian spirit. May Mother Paris and her companions, continue to inspire us to get out from our language and cultural comfort in conformity with the universal mission of the Church.