Sr. Leonor Maturana. A woman of faith, educator and missionary, whose work left traces that still illuminate our people.
The Carmelite Sisters of Charity arrived in Suipacha with the purpose of founding a school. It opened its doors on May 5, 1913, on the corner of 1 de Mayo and Combate de San Lorenzo.
Among the nuns who came from Spain was Sister Leonor Maturana, whose initiative led to numerous works that still survive today.
The apostolic work at the Carmelite College prompted Sister Leonor to take on determined commitments and great responsibilities. Very soon, the school became a sort of small social vertex. And Sr. Leonor became “a minister of external relations, ready to deal with everyone: from the authorities and the parish priest to the greengrocer.
With her presence, Sr. Leonor filled the school, becoming for many – men and women – a kind of confidant and counselor, “who was less imposing than the priest”. She was always willing to support any initiative that meant a promotion for the town.
On October 28, 1928, he organized a Missionary Day for all the people. In Suipacha, the World Sunday for the Propagation of the Faith was so grandiose that it became a unique and unforgettable event.
His floats, mounted on automobiles and dedicated to themes of faith, transcended the national sphere and received international recognition.
It was then that his specific mission was defined: to be an “apostle to apostles”.
Beyond her yearning to reach perfection as a “saint”, the people discovered in her a neighbor worthy of admiration and imitation. She projected, persevered, fulfilled dreams, educated and enlightened even from the pulpit of the Church.
Today we want to keep alive the memory of his work in Suipacha, in order to support the presentation of his story on the road to his sainthood.
It will be important for young people, and especially for future generations, to identify with his example: in the communication of faith, in mission, in perseverance, in education and in art.
Through the museum, their memory will be projected into the community, and through tourism their legacy will be opened to the future.
The inauguration of the museum, on February 26 at 8 p.m., will not be “mission accomplished”, but the continuation of its mission.
Francisco Jáuregui
Communication, Prophecy and Creation Care Team
