A Story of Empowerment and Transformation in Guatemala

Jesus Christ, by His Incarnation committed Himself to the social and cultural circumstances of the people among whom He lived. Through His church, in 1963, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, answered the call of Pope John XXIII, to heed the cry of the poor in Teculután, Guatemala. This was a call and mandate to foster evangelization, dignity, justice, and freedom through the dynamics of education.

In a welcome address by Doña Aida de Cordón, the representative of the local committee who purchased the land for the future school, the founding Sisters were reminded that “they had arrived in Teculután in the favour of the faith and Latin Culture and were to bring the honour of reading and writing to the children of Teculután.”

Thus, the Sisters were prompted to keep in mind that those who learn to read and to write come to a new knowledge of selfhood and begin to look critically at the reality in which they find themselves. They are enabled to take the initiative to try and transform the society that has denied them opportunity and hope.

The Sisters in Guatemala, 1963.

An empty field greeted the Sisters on groundbreaking day. In time, that field gave way to an excellent education facility named “Colegio San José” for our patron St. Joseph. The school was fully approved by the Guatemalan Ministry of Education and offered both elementary and secondary programs. This establishment offered employment for many and hope was born for a better tomorrow.

Because education was the key to that better tomorrow many Sisters who served in Teculután tapped into their own gifts, talents, and insights and in time, education became very diverse according to the needs of the people. Some Sisters saw to the needs of the school which included teaching methodology and religion to the native teachers. Literacy methods of consciousness-raising were provided both through the school and later through a very successful radio program. The Christian Children’s Fund brought help from affluent countries to the poorest of children.

The Sister nurses tended to the needs of the sick with a special focus on pregnant mothers and hungry children. Nutrition, sewing and carpentry classes were encouraged by these Sisters.

Eventually, our own diocesan priests arrived and not only ministered to the sacramental and pastoral needs of the people but also built and renovated churches, chapels and dental clinics. Block making and bakery shops were established. As a team the Sisters and Priests undertook large social programs such as bringing in portable water and electricity to poor areas. Housing projects were developed both before and after the earthquake of 1976. Winning the trust of the people was most important in all of these works.

“Education created the hope to dream, to be free”

In the midst of all this activity, the work of evangelization went on through catechetics in the schools, in the parish and via radio. The Family of God prayer groups were alive as was the Cursillo movement. Benefactors in Canada made possible all these works of charity and co-workers in Teculután supported us in many ways.

As suggested by this brief look at the Teculután mission, education paid attention to the formation of the whole person and promoted the common good of society. Teculután today gives witness to the empowerment inherent in education and “Colegio San José” remains a beneficial presence. Education created the hope to dream, to be free, and be transformed into Easter people!

To have served the Church in Guatemala elicits from all of us a deep sense of gratitude to our Community who sent us, to our benefactors who supported us, and to the gentle people of Teculután who received us. To become part of another culture was an incarnational event in our lives that brought us into a greater awareness of Christ’s Salvific action in the world.

As Jesus did, the Sisters and priests tried to return the world to the father and in doing so some planted, some hoed, some reaped and in this plurality of ways all gave expression to the vocation of the church which proclaims the ongoing Incarnation of Christ in the world.

We praise You, O Lord, for enabling the empty field to be transformed into an empowering people.

-Sister Joan McMahon, csj

Statement from our Federation Office for Systemic Justice

Public Statement re: Vaccines for COVID-vulnerable people in prisons    

The Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada commends the federal government’s decision to offer vaccines to 600 elderly prisoners and those with pre-existing conditions. This decision is an affirmation of the dignity of each person, a foundation of morality.

The first wave of the pandemic showed that prisoners are much more likely to get COVID-19.  According to Correctional Services Canada, as of January 6th, there have been 1,196 total positive cases with 167 active and 3 deaths. Furthermore, a CBC analysis indicates that infection rates are five times higher in provincial jails and up to nine times higher in federal facilities than in the general population.  As this data shows, the prison context itself creates significant vulnerabilities to COVID-19 infection.

The guiding principle for decision-making for vaccine distribution should be the equal human dignity and worth of every person.  Human dignity is not something that is earned. It belongs to each person and is not forfeited or forgotten due to specific circumstances or behaviours. It is the task of governments and institutions to protect the human dignity of each person, without exception.  With regard to vaccines, respect for human dignity means the same two criteria, risk and vulnerability, should be used for the prison population as for the general population.

By design, prisons marginalize people from full participation in the community for a period of time.  But this must never leave people marginalized from what is theirs on the basis of their basic human dignity. 

Early access to a COVID-19 vaccine for at-risk persons in prison and other detention facilities is a simple question of human dignity and fairness.  We diminish ourselves as a society if we do not honour these values in our collective decision-making.

  - Office for Systemic Justice, Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada

From Generation to Generation

When something surprised my father (eg the cost of groceries) he would slap his hand to his chest over his heart, stagger back a few steps and say, “Carry me out!”

My brother decided that his 3 year old grandson River should know some of these family expressions and traditions.

Recently River was at day care and did not appreciate having to stand in line for something.  His mother- who is a teacher at the same school- observed that he slapped his little chest, staggered backwards a few steps and said, “Carry me out!”  Ah, tradition.

We inherit so much from those that go before us both genetically and culturally and what a blessing that can be.  To remember with love things that others did before us to take care of others, to assist others, amuse others can inspire us to pass that on to those with whom we connect as well as those who come after us.  We can appreciate all that past generations have done to allow us to be who we are today.

I have always liked the song ‘Standing on the Shoulders’ by EarthMama (Joyce Johnson Rouse, 1995)

“I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me

 I am honored by their passion for our liberty

I will stand a little taller, I will work a little longer

And my shoulders will be there to hold the ones who follow me.”

Such an opportunity exists for all of us to act in such a way as to be the shoulders for those who follow us.  Let us make the most of this opportunity.

-Sister Nancy Sullivan, csj