Rome (Italy). In the 14th video of the CommTalkS is the initiative of the Communication Sector of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians with the aim of creating a shared vision of the culture of communication. The testimony of Sister Consuelo Chiriboga, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians of the Sacred Heart Observatory (ECU), missionary among the Shuar people in the Ecuadorian jungle, in the Apostolic Vicariate of Méndez, is proposed.
“By the grace of God and with the help of my superiors, I was able to live my 45 years as a missionary in the Ecuadorian jungle,” says Sister Consuelo. She recounts that she felt a missionary vocation when she was in boarding school, seeing the FMAs in Junín, where she studied. Consuelo was impressed by their joy and the work they did for the missions. “From my first profession, I asked my Superiors to send me to the missions. But above all, I prayed that I could reach the Shuar people, to know the people, to support them, to lend them a hand.”
Her wish was granted by the Superior and in 1977, she entered Yaupi, on the border with Peru, for the first time. “The only way to get there was by small plane or simply on foot, for more than a day. But there we were, happy, contented, four Sisters, and among them I have a great memory, a very special memory of a sister who was my Superior at that time, Sister Rosita Vargas. She worked with enthusiasm, acted as a doctor, I would almost say, like Sister Maria Troncatti.”
Sister Consuelo says that, despite the hardships, for her “it was a beautiful life, where the jungle helps you pray, tells you of the closeness you have with God, and where you increasingly feel two fundamental needs: that of living with God, with the Virgin Mother and living well in the community.”
Two ‘axes’ were fundamental to her in this mission: education – which she believes is fundamental for the growth and development of peoples, especially these in the Amazon – and evangelization, to make them know Jesus and bring them to Him. In addition, the Community had a School housing about 100 female students, “the days were divided between classes and work for the girls.”
Sister Consuelo, how do you live the mission now? “Now, for me, being a missionary among the Shuar means being a person of prayer, dedication, sacrifice.” Being also a prepared person, ready to face any obstacle that arises. But above all, she says, “one of the fundamental things, in my opinion, is loving this people. First, to love each other as Sisters. Then, to love the Shuar people, who have their difficulties, their problems, but who require our respect, a lot of respect.”
In regard to this, she explains the meaning of the word “inculturation” for her. “It is bringing the Gospel into their culture; bringing what Jesus tells us to the people. That they may accept Jesus and in their life be good people, people who work, people who do good.”
Concluding her testimony, Sister Consuelo expresses the joy of being a missionary, “for me, the missionary life is beautiful. It is a reward from God, which we have obtained without deserving it, because God is always in our hearts, like the love for Mary Help of Christians, who makes us walk holding her hand.”
She invites everyone “to love. We carry out our mission from where we are, and if we have the good fortune and opportunity to be in the jungle, it is the most beautiful thing. Let us hand over to God all that we are, all that we can, with our soul, life, and heart. Let us hope that this land of the Apostolic Vicariate of Méndez will be blessed by our new Saint, Sister Maria Troncatti.”
The video is available with subtitles in some languages (from the YouTube settings). All CommTalks remain available on the CGFMANET YouTube Channel and can be retrieved from the side banner on the home page of the Institute’s website.
