“Distinguished Andean” recognition to the FMA Institute in 150th

Los Andes (Chile). On 14 July 2022, in the gymnasium of Mary Help of Christians School in Los Andes, the ceremony took place for the recognition of 44 “Distinguished Andean” awards for the year 2022 of men, women, institutions that distinguished themselves in the different categories: young people, sports, institutions, education, health, solidarity, communication, and others.

In the category of Institutions, the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, which celebrates the 150^th anniversary of Foundation, received from the Mayor and from the complete City Council, the “Distinguished Andean” recognition for their contribution to the education of Andean young people.

Sr. Ximena Oyarzo Mansilla, Provincial of St. Gabriel Archangel Province (CIL); together with Sr. Cecilia Poblete Palacios, Past Pupil and Coordinator of the School Area at the national level; and Ms. Alejandra Contreras, Legal Representative of the Mary Help of Christians School of Los Andes, went on the stage to receive the Award.

During the same celebration, Mrs. Julia Barbero Cerutti, past pupil of Mary Help of Christians School, received at the age of 100, the recognition as “Distinguished Andean” for her participation in activities in the field of solidarity and for her commitment to volunteer work for the Los Andes Red Cross.

The event is part of the month dedicated to the city of Los Andes, founded on 31 July 1791, in which one of the most important community moments among the various initiatives organized throughout July, is this recognition of people, institutions, educational agencies that have distinguished themselves for having contributed in different ways to the common good.

The recognitions of the FMA Institute in the 150^th anniversary of Foundation, are a prophecy of the significant, industrious, and courageous presence of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in the different realities of the five continents, called today to “rekindle the fire” of the origins in order to continue to “be a sign of foreseeing love in the world and in the Church, ‘helpers’ of life, guardians of joy and hope”.

“The fire of belonging to the Lord and of the call to Salesian life, the fire of charismatic passion that makes us generative communities in the service of the young and the poor, made possible the expansion of our Institute throughout the world” (Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Circular No. 1014).