Santiago (Chile). On 24 August 2023, Sr. Phyllis Neves, Visiting Councilor of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, arrived in Santiago de Chile for the Canonical Visit to St. Gabriel Archangel Province (CIL), as a sister among sisters, to strengthen communion with the Institute.
The Provincial, Sr. Ximena Oyarzo Mansilla, with part of her Council, welcomed her at the airport, while a group of FMA belonging to the Communities of Santiago awaited her at Mary Help of Christians Provincial House. In the main entrance of the House, the general applause was spontaneous; Sister Phyllis arrived in Chilean land, in the land dreamed of by Don Bosco.
The Visiting Councilor greeted the Sisters one by one, recognizing some of them whom she had met on various occasions or at the General Chapter. The welcome then became prayer through three moments. The first was in front of a representation of the history of the Institute in Chile, starting with the first missionaries who arrived in Punta Arenas in 1888. A second moment of prayer was in front of the statue of Mary Help of Christians and to the map of the Country that indicates the cities in which the FMA Educating Communities are present, and then to the Chapel.
Here, in the center of the House, the Chilean Sisters gave the Visitor a small statue of the Virgin of Mount Carmel, patroness of Chile, to accompany her during her visit to the Country. Sr. Phyllis, grateful for the welcome, spoke to the FMA present, always addressing them in Spanish, although it is not her native language.
Before allowing herself time to rest and recover from the long journey, she shared in fraternity the breakfast prepared for her. Sister Phyllis will remain in Chile until November 25, the date on which the Canonical Visitation ends.
Photos: Flickr FMA
