Convinced that our call to be Sisters Minor is a call to solidarity with those who are powerless, we work with them to change situations in which the dignity of persons is violated. Recognizing that we too are in need, we open ourselves to be evangelized by them.
-General Constitutions #21
The Spirit has been stirring in the three United States Provinces of the Sisters of Penance and Christian Charity for a presence in Mexico since the late 1950’s when sisters responded to various invitations to minister in Mexico. In the 1960’s Sacred Heart Province established a presence in Orizabita and later (1970’s) sisters from St. Francis Province joined them in carrying out ministries of pastoral and health care. A desire for a shared mission in Mexico amongst all three Provinces was expressed in the 1970’s. It was not until 1991 that Sisters Marilyn Archer (Holy Name Province), Antonia Anthony (Sacred Heart Province), and Consuelo Arana (St. Francis Province) were sent by the leadership of the three Provinces to search for a location for a future mission. Bishop Don Samuel Ruiz, with his prophetic vision and voice, was an integral part of the decision to establish a presence in the Diocese of San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas. He spoke of a ministry of “acompañamiento,” accompanying the Indigenous (native) peoples, Cho’l and Tzeltal, in their journey toward liberation.
Now, over thirty years later, the three United States provinces continue to nurture the seed that was planted in this fertile Mayan territory in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. The area is known for its mountainous highlands and dense rainforest. There are two local communities of Sisters in Palenque.
The Casa Nantic Magdalena community includes two young Indigenous Sisters, Ilce Lopez and Micaela Mendez. Sister Mica is part of the Parish Pastoral Team that ministers to 150 local village communities included within the Parish Church of St. Dominic. Sister Ilce is in Temporary Vows and just completed studies in nursing and is presently using her skills while participating in pastoral ministries in village communities. She leads Liturgical celebrations, does Faith Formation and loves music ministry, playing the guitar and leads singing in all pastoral gatherings. Sister Micaela, also a nurse, accompanies Indigenous Deacons in the development of an Indigenous Theology and is part of a ecumenical Diocesan Team working to translate the Bible into Cho’l, one of the native languages of the area.
The second community of Sisters lives at Casa Franciscana. The property offers space for three different ministries: Retreats and workshops in Faith formation, a small Church, Iglesia San Juan Diego, where Sunday Services are conducted by the Sisters and a clinic/pharmacy, Clinica Familiar Lak Na Clara. The Clinica Familiar Lak ña Clara (St. Clare Family Clinic), built on the property thanks to generous donations from the Sisters of St. Francis on an international level.
The Casa Franciscana community has three Sisters: Sister Consuelo Arana who is regarded lovingly by the Sisters and the people of Palenque as one of the “founding mothers” of our presence in Palenque. She has been part of the Parish Pastoral Team since 1991 and is the Local Minister of the Sisters in Palenque. Sister Candida Gonzalez, who has finished studies in nursing and business administration. She oversees a small clinic and pharmacy and works on the Pastoral Team, ministering to village communities. Sister Leticia Perez is a trained nurse who carries out her pastoral ministry with a special focus on women’s health issues. She is on the Diocesan Board of CODIMUJ (Diocesan Coordination of Women’s groups) that gives leadership training in skills related to women’s issues. Sister Lety also accompanies the young women who come to live with the Sisters for periods of time to discern a vocation to the Franciscan way of life.
One of the goals of the Sisters comes from the mission statement of Clinica Lak Na Clara: “nurturing communities toward holistic well-being, especially for those most in need.” The clinic does outreach to the more than 150 villages included within the parish. There are bi-annual medical missions to the clinic with volunteer teams consisting of doctors and/or medical residences (family practitioners, ob/gyn, pediatrics, dental services, orthopedics), nurses, translators, and individuals to help with maintenance projects. A Mexican physician, familiar with common regional illnesses and available medication joins the Medical Mission Team when possible.
Since 2014, there have been dreams of a new clinic that is referred to as the Clinic In A Can (CIAC), pre-assembled containers built in Wichita, Kansas destined to be placed on the property of Casa Francisca. Donations have come in from the Sisters in North America as well as the Netherlands. There also has been collaboration and financial support from the Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, Dignity Health (now Common Spirit Healthcare System) and private donors. The past Project Director and current Interim Clinic Director is Claudia Sierra from Mexico City and the clinic Board Director is Associate Lourdes Caracoza from the St. Francis Province in California.
As of December 2020, the CIAC shipping container units arrived in Palenque and work has begun to make the clinic operational. The containers house a laboratory, x-ray room, advanced mother-infant unit, four consultation rooms, and a double surgical suite with two surgery rooms, recovery room, and pre-op section with a dressing room, bathroom, shower area, and lockers.
For more information on how to volunteer or to contribute donations,
please view the Chiapas Connection, Spring 2020 and Chiapas Connection, Spring 2021.
The two houses, Casa Franciscana and Casa Nantic Magdalena, share from the same basket of responsibilities and resources. The Sisters have begun a permaculture project with large greenhouse on three acres of land which will grow vegetables, fruit, and medicinal plants. There is also a small lake made up of two natural springs and holds small fish, and snails. They hope to have picnic tables and park areas for meditation and reflection. There also is a plan for a common kitchen and dining room as well as areas for families to stay and make their own food. They hope to have classes on nutrition; diabetes is a major health issue in Palenque. The Sisters are, “… women of the fields living a communitarian life.”
Two Sisters from St. Francis Province, Sister Maria Elena Martinez and Sister Graciela Martinez, periodically go to Palenque to give ongoing formation classes and participate in the diverse ministries, while providing companionship and solidarity to the community and the people. They provide the Sisters in Chiapas with classes in theology and Franciscan Spirituality; give workshops to the people of the Parish; as well as retreats for the Parish and village community leaders. Sister Maria Elena serves as a bridge between the three United States Provinces and the Sisters in Palenque providing administrative and communication support and mentoring the Sisters in their leadership roles. She also coordinates hosting the Medical Missions in Palenque, giving the Medical Mission Team an orientation, and accompanying the Team in their visits to village communities. Members of the three provincial councils visit Palenque annually. Sisters from our international community have also had the opportunity to get to know and provide support for the life and ministries of our Sisters in Chiapas.