To commemorate is to thank

Quito (Ecuador) The Educating Community of  Mary Help of Christians Private Educational Unit (Unidad Educativa Particular María Auxiliadora) of Quito, of  Sacred Heart Province of Ecuador (ECU), celebrates the 80^th anniversary of its foundation (1940-2020).

The Work was born in 1940 as a Normal Catholic School of Mary Help of Christians for the formation of teachers, with the aim of preparing “good Christians and honest citizens“, to educate pupils as participatory and co-responsible citizens. In the 80 years of life of the School there has been no lack of God’s action, the presence of Our Lady of Don Bosco, the vivacity of the FMA Community, the passionate mission of educators, parents, and students united by the Salesian charism.

The slogan “It is you who did everything and will continue to do so!” accompanied the three celebratory events  inaugurated on 1 October 2020 with the  Eucharistic Celebration of Gratitude, followed by a charismatic cultural meeting. The Webinar “Patrons and Founders: Salesian Educational Heritage” was proposed on 8 October and on 15 October the celebrations closed with a “solemn  virtual session” – with the presence of authorities, teachers, FMA, students, and families – led and animated by the students.

“To commemorate is to give thanks, to let the situations we truly love pass through our hearts” is the phrase that summarizes these celebrations in which, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, there was no lack of expressions of gratitude, joy, creativity, participation, spirit of unity, and trust on the part of the whole Educating Community, which continues along the  formative path towards the 150^th  of the Institute, in the certainty that “Mary continues to walk in this house” and to cover it with her mantle.