Sucúa (Ecuador). On 24 August 2025, in Sucúa, Sacred Heart Province (ECU) of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Ecuador celebrated the blessing and laying of the foundation stone of “Saint Maria Troncatti” Sanctuary.
The ceremony, presided over by Monsignor Néstor Montesdeoca, Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Méndez, took place in the open area next to the Sister Maria Troncatti Museum. Present were the Provincial, Sister Lupe Erazo; Dr. Sebastián Rodríguez, Mayor of the canton of Sucúa; Fr. Ruperto Patiño, SDB, Pastor of Mary Help of Christians; Fr. Luciano Bellini and Fr. Maffeo Panteghini, Salesian Directors of the communities of Macas and Sevilla Don Bosco, as well as numerous Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Religious of the Vicariate, young people, and families.
The future Sanctuary is conceived as a pastoral space of prayer, historical memory, and reflection that will strengthen the Salesian mission and keep alive the legacy of Sister Maria Troncatti, “mother, missionary, artisan of peace and reconciliation”.
The event was enlivened by the music of the Banda del Popolo, which contributed to nourishing the Salesian festive atmosphere, and was illuminated by the Word of God, which recalled the mission of building places where the Lord lives among His people, “And they will make me a sanctuary, and I will dwell among them” (Ex 25:8).
Sister Lupe Erazo invited the assembly to welcome this event as a sign of hope and pastoral commitment. Subsequently, architects Kevin Vizuete, Aurelio Peñaherrera, and Juan Sebastián Cardona presented the studies and design of the Sanctuary, emphasizing its spiritual and community significance as a space for encounter and prayer.
One of the most significant moments was the blessing and laying of the first stone, while the sponsors of the work, through a symbolic gesture, expressed their commitment to the construction of this temple dedicated to the future saint.
During the ceremony, the mayor of Sucúa, Dr. Sebastián Rodríguez, emphasized Sister Maria’s value as a point of reference for peace and service for the Amazon community and reiterated the municipality’s support for the project. For her part, Sister Sara Rea, Animator of the St. Domenico Savio Community of Sucúa, expressed gratitude to those present and to the benefactors who make this work possible.
The celebration ended with the invitation to spread the testimony of Sister Maria Troncatti and to support the construction of the Sanctuary, not only with material resources, but also with prayer and a life of union with God and with others.
