Cuiabá (Brazil). On 24 March 2025, in the Renê Barbour Plenary of the Legislative Assembly of Mato Grosso in Cuiabá, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Mother Mazzarello Province (BMM) received recognition for the 130 years of presence and activities in Mato Grosso and for the historical and religious importance of the Salesian mission in the State.
The certificate reads: “Motion of appreciation. The Legislative Assembly of the State of Mato Grosso, on behalf of its members, at the request of the deputy Eduardo Botelho, wishes to publicly recognize the Salesian Sisters for the relevant services rendered in the sectors of education, of culture, of human promotion, and of assistance to the original populations, which mark the presence of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians for 130 years in Mato Grosso.”
To receive the honor were present FMA representing the Communities present in the State, namely: the Community of Mary Help of Christians Institute, Alto Araguaia; the Community Mother Marta Cerrutti, Barra do Garças; Eusebia Palomino House of Culture, Chapada dos Guimarães; the House Mary Help of Christians, Cuiabá; Community of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cuiabá; Community of Saint Teresina Institute, Guiratinga; the Community of the Hostel St. Joseph, Poxoréu; the Community of the Boarding School St. Anthony, Rondonópolis; Blessed Philip Rinaldi Community, São Marcos.
“Today, the state of Mato Grosso has the DNA of the Salesian Sisters; their signature is present throughout our history. This honor is a recognition of this importance for all of us in Mato Grosso,” affirmed Eduardo Botelho, State Deputy of Mato Grosso.
Sister Rosangela Maria Clemente, Animator of Sacred Heart of Jesus Community of Cuiabà, expressed emotion for this historic moment:
“It is a very great emotion, very strong, because it is a recognition and an appreciation of all the work and dedication, of the lives given by our Sisters who have preceded us, and today we carry forward this charism, this educative mission in the service of young people, in Salesian joy.”
The celebration was also marked by the launch of the book “São Gonçalo Parish: Cradle of Missionary Action in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso (1894-2024)”, written by Father Tiago Figueiró, which retraces the history of São Gonçalo Parish as an important missionary center and highlights the arrival of the Salesian Sisters in the city, in 1895. Since then, they have become fundamental pillars in education, health, and spirituality for thousands of families in Mato Grosso. Their activity has also extended to the indigenous Missions, bringing not only human formation, but also love and care to these communities.
One of the great promoters of the work was the Salesian Archbishop Mons. Francisco de Aquino Corrêa (1885-1956), who also served as governor of Mato Grosso, whose legacy continues to inspire generations and generations. The celebration was open to the public, with a special invitation to former students and past-pupils who, during these 80 years, have passed through Sacred Heart of Jesus School or the Oratory.
The ceremony offered special and moving moments, such as the group of children who sang to Mother Mazzarello, and the cultural presentation with the contagious rhythm of the Siriri, a traditional folk dance of Mato Grosso. Every detail of this celebration was a tribute to the Salesian culture, faith, and heritage.
The arrival of the first missionaries
“On 3 January 1895, the missionaries: Sister Maria Heitzmann, Sister Margherita Micheletto, Sister Anna Gudehus, and Sister Frederica Hummel left São Paulo for Montevideo.” After landing in Montevideo, the Sisters went to Villa Colon, where the Visiting Councilor of Uruguay, Mother Emilia Borgna, organized the expedition with four other missionaries: Sister Rosa Kiste, Sister Carolina Manfredi, Sister Maddalena Tramonti, and Sister Elena Michetti.
The boarding took place in Montevideo on 14 March 1895. The chronicler of the School Pio observes: “Monsignor Lasagna sent the expedition to Mato Grosso, composed by two priests, Fr. Balzola and Fr. Cavatorta, the acolyte Fraga, the professors Manuel Fonseca and Angel Sordi, the novice Herman Gross, and eight Sisters. When they arrived in Corumbá, the Director, Fr. Antonio Malan, was waiting for them.”
In the port of Corumbá, they changed ships and arrived at the port of Cuiabá on 9 April 1895. The Daughters of Saint Vincent welcomed them to accompany them to Saint Rita Kindergarten, entrusted to the direction of Sister Rosa Kiste, FMA.
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians have been essential in founding and maintaining institutions such as the Sacred Heart of Jesus School, which celebrates 80 years of history; and the Holy House of Mercy in Cuiabá, where they have worked for seven decades, leaving an indelible mark on the social and religious assistance of the State, celebrating a legacy of faith, education, and service that continues to transform lives in Mato Grosso.
On 4 March 2025, precisely in the parish of São Gonçalo, a historic place that witnessed the arrival of the first Salesian missionaries on 9 April 1895, a solemn Holy Mass was celebrated.
The ceremony was presided by Fr. Mário Antônio da Silva, Archbishop of Cuiabá, and saw the special participation of the Sisters of Mother Mazzarello Province-BMM. During the event, the religious renewed their commitment to the Salesian mission that for more than a century transforms lives in the state.
The moment represented not only a historical celebration, but also the reaffirmation of the values that have guided the work of the congregation since its foundation. The first eight missionaries who arrived with courage and hope at the end of the 19th century, paved the way for decades of dedicated service to the community of Mato Grosso.
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians remain faithful to the legacy of Mother Mazzarello, keeping alive the charism of Don Bosco through the mission of “educating by evangelizing and evangelizing by educating”. Their goal remains the same: to form good Christians and honest citizens, inspired by the love of Mary Help of Christians and the teachings of their founders.
