On Saturday, October 24, the Santa Joaquina de Vedruna School in Puente Alto hosted the Ain Karem Prayer Concert, an experience of faith and fellowship as part of the celebrations marking the congregation’s bicentennial.
The event brought together members of the four Vedruna schools in Chile—some of whom traveled long distances to attend—along with lay communities, Vedruna volunteers, and various friends who wanted to share in this special gathering. They were joined by communities from different countries via Zoom, making it possible to experience the event as one family, transcending borders.
Sisters Virginia, Puy, and Inma, members of Ain Karem, led the gathering under the theme “With You, Joaquina: A Living Path of Vocation and Hope.” Through their songs and prayer activities, they invited attendees to pause, look into their own hearts, and reconnect with the roots of our faith, the Vedruna charism, and that love that never says “enough.”
The songs touched the hearts of those who participated, fostering moments of reflection, inner connection, and deep emotion. The activities led by the sisters allowed everyone to experience a prayer that was intimate and participatory. At the end, many participants expressed their gratitude for the event, highlighting the spirituality conveyed by the sisters, the sense of communion they experienced, and the personal and communal connection that was fostered during the prayer.
The stage design and technical setup allowed both in-person attendees and those participating online via Zoom to enjoy the event. The chat also became a space for interaction, where communities from other countries shared their greetings and emotions. One of the most meaningful moments came with the performance of the Bicentennial anthem, “Mujer del sí confiado,” sung in unison by the attendees and joined in by participants from other countries.
The planning for this event was marked by preliminary meetings and coordination among the teams, liaisons, and communities, whose commitment made this gathering possible. The organizing committee viewed the turnout positively: more than 400 in-person attendees and an estimated 410 participants joining virtually. It also expressed gratitude for the willingness and collaboration of all the communities in Chile, especially the community of the host school, Santa Joaquina de Vedruna in Puente Alto.
Coming soon on the VedrunAmérica Bicentennial YouTube channel: the prayer gathering will be premiered, and an interview with the sisters conducted at the end of their visit will be posted.
Without a doubt, this experience will leave a deep impression on VedrunAmérica and on all the communities that participated, reminding us that love unites us, renews our hope, and inspires us to continue walking together in the Vedruna mission.
María Rubilar Silva
VedrunAmérica Communications Team
