Sr. Kathleen Mary O’Riordan is from Ireland and served on mission in Peru, Chile and Mexico. She recalls the Columban Sisters’ fifty years of mission in Chile inserted among the local people. This article featured in the December 2024 issue of the Far East magazine.

Sr. Kathleen Mary O’Riordan visits emergency housing in Chile after the devastating 2010 earthquake
Sr. Kathleen Mary O’Riordan visits emergency housing in Chile after the devastating 2010 earthquake

God never ceases to surprise us. Early in 1973 Columban Missionaries Frs. Bill Hallidan and Kevin O’Boyle convinced the Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago Don Fernando Aristia Ruiz to write to the leadership of the Columban Sisters to request that the congregation accompany the people in poor areas of the Chilean capital. Don Fernando’s letter touched the hearts of many Sisters as he spelt out his desire that they would do “direct work in the fundamental mission of the Church – evangelisation and education in the faith.” Chile was in a very precarious political situation at that time which led to the military coup on 11th September 1973.  “Now more than ever the Church must be with the people…a sign of hope,” Don Fernando stressed.

Fifty years ago, Sr. Catherine Hurley and her leadership team accepted the invitation – in spite of all the challenges – and the mission in Chile became a gift to the Congregation that enriched our lives. Our co-foundress, Mother Mary Patrick wrote at the birth of the Congregation 100 years ago that, “the spirit will be that of all embracing charity and no effort should be spared to meet various demands which may arise”.

Since that first decision to accept the mission in a convulsed Chile 50 years ago God has surely guided our steps all the way. In reality, we have ministered in two different Chiles: 1974 – 1990 during the cruel dictatorship of Agusto Pinochet and then in a democratic society, following the fall of Pinochet, as it struggled to recover and heal its wounds.

From the very first day, we experienced the love and hospitality of the Chilean people as they welcomed us into the intimacy of family life, sharing their celebrations as well as their sorrows and difficulties. Their spirit of resilience and hope never ceased to amaze us and their faith and trust in God was an inspiration. We have been privileged to be part of a vibrant and participative Church with a strong pastoral plan and prophetic voice especially during the 17 years of dictatorship.

Participating with local religious and clergy and many other missionaries at parish, deanery and zonal level helped us immerse ourselves in collaborative ministry: sacramental preparation of children, youth and adults, formation of lay leaders and Basic Christian Communities, retreats and spiritual formation, solidarity and social services, prison ministry, alcohol/drug treatment, rehabilitation and prevention, and missions with lay people in the far south. Over the years, Sisters journeyed with the people in five parishes in Santiago as well as in San Antonio on the coast, Iquique and Copiapo in the north and Loncoche in the south.

As the years passed, Sr. Angela McKeever and I were the last Columban Sisters to minister in Chile, working mainly in the fields of alcoholism and drug addiction – problems that have destroyed and continue to destroy thousands of people and to tear families apart, challenges which are deeply wounding to the very soul of society today.

Sr. Kathleen Mary during Holy Week ceremonies after the earthquake in 2010
Sr. Kathleen Mary during Holy Week ceremonies after the earthquake in 2010

The Conference of Religious made it possible for us to respond to many emergency situations. After the massive earthquake and tsunami in 2010, the forest fires in the south, the unprecedent rain and mud slides in the Atacama Desert, the Conference of Religious convoked an inter-congregational mission team. No congregation had the resources to respond alone, and this allowed us to respond collaboratively to the call to “Go comfort my people”. As small, mixed teams we were able to accompany the communities affected in many dioceses and support them for several years until they were rehoused. We also benefited ourselves by sharing our different charisms and cultures, our prayer life, and friendships.

As we recall how God truly called us to journey beyond our limits and to share out of our own poverty, we are very indebted to the Conference of Religious who gave us ongoing orientation and formation to help us live religious life inserted among the local people. As St Columban wrote in his 7th sermon: “let us eat with the poor, drink with the poor, share with the poor”. Out of their poverty we have been enriched. We are also deeply indebted to our families, friends, and benefactors who supported us and to our Columban brothers, the Cross and Passion and IHM Sisters, who shared mission with us. As the famous Chilean artist/songwriter Violeta Parra sang: “thanks to life that has given me so much,” we say: “thanks to the God of life who has given us so much.”

Top