On May 22, the Vedruna communities from various countries in the Americas came together to celebrate with joy and gratitude the feast of Saint Joaquina de Vedruna and, in many places, the bicentennial of the Congregation’s founding. Eucharistic celebrations, community gatherings, acts of fraternity, and artistic expressions marked a day lived with faith, hope, and a spirit of family.
Argentina
In Suipacha, Argentina, the sisters took part in the celebrations organized by the Nuestra Señora del Carmen School and the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Parish. Some attended the morning Mass with the high school students in the school chapel, while others participated in the afternoon at the parish with the elementary school students.
The celebration was filled with participation and enthusiasm right from the start, with the opening procession featuring the statue of Saint Joaquina. During the offertory, several sisters, together with the residents of the senior center, held up a sign reading “Kids, with God, anything is possible,” encouraging the children, youth, and teenagers in attendance to always remain strong and courageous.
At the end of the Mass, everyone enjoyed hot chocolate with the kindergarten children in the schoolyard, blessed by beautiful weather. The community gave thanks to God and to all those who made this meaningful celebration possible.
Uruguay
In Melo, Uruguay, the sisters shared in the joy of celebrating both the feast of Saint Joaquina and the bicentennial of the Congregation. The Mass was presided over by Pablo Jourdan and saw a very significant turnout from various communities.
Of particular note was the presence of children from the “Agustín de la Rosa” school, where—although the sisters have not been directly present for more than ten years—the Vedruna charism remains alive. Also participating were alumni, Vedruna laypeople from Noblía and Melo, members of other parishes, and members of the “Fazenda de la Esperanza.” The children, encouraged and accompanied by the lay community, took advantage of the occasion to raise awareness and pray for peace.
The community also expressed its gratitude for the presence of the poet Alba Cardozo, a much-loved member of the community, who, at 93 years old, continues to share her poems and her love for Saint Joaquina.
The sisters thanked God for allowing them to experience that “the arms of Saint Joaquina reach out”and continue to encourage them to live in love and trust.
Cuba
Cuba was no exception. In Aguada de Pasajeros, the Vedruna community shared various moments of the celebration of Saint Joaquina with the parish community, enjoying a day marked by closeness, joy, and a sense of community.
Haiti
In Haiti, the Vedruna School in Fonds Parisien joyfully celebrated Mass in honor of Saint Joaquina. It was a day filled with enthusiasm and participation, during which students, faculty, and the community shared a deep sense of family.
The sisters also participated virtually, strengthening the bond that characterizes the Vedruna Family. Several parents of the students joined the celebration, making this gathering an even more meaningful and fraternal experience.
Brazil
In Brazil, the Novitiate community celebrated Saint Joaquina together with the parishioners and members of religious life. The day was an occasion for fraternal fellowship, prayer, and a renewal of the commitment to continue bringing the Vedruna charism to life.
Venezuela
In Venezuela, various communities enthusiastically celebrated this great feast. In Anaco, after carrying Saint Joaquina in a procession, students and community members made their way to the Sagrada Familia Chapel to participate in the Mass in honor of Saint Joaquina. There, they shared the joy and faith that define us as a family, strengthening our values and devotion together.
In Cagua, the Vedruna family also joined in the universal celebration, recalling Joaquina’s life as a woman of service, deep trust in God, and generous dedication “for the glory of God and the good of others.”
The community highlighted how, two hundred years later, the legacy of Saint Joaquina lives on in women, men, young people, and children who embody “the love that never says enough” and become those “arms that reach out, ” bringing hope and joy amid the challenges of daily life.
Likewise, El Carmelo School in Caracas experienced a moment of deep emotion and faith with the celebration of its students’ First Communion, which took place on the very day of the feast of Saint Joaquina.
The first communicants arrived accompanied by their families, creating an atmosphere of joy and togetherness. Teachers, administrative staff, and members of the educational community were also present to share in this important sacrament.
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Giclis Santamaría, who introduced the “Sinfonía Vedruna” Choir , directed by Professor Carlos Vargas, whose singing solemnly accompanied the entire celebration.
The Mass was marked by the emotion and devotion characteristic of those receiving the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time.
The school community highlighted the work of the catechists who guided the students during their preparation. Celebrating this Mass on the school grounds on Saint Joaquina’s Day was experienced as a true gift from God, strengthening the bonds of faith, love, and gratitude throughout the school community.
There were also celebrations in Peru, Chile, Colombia, and other parts of the continent. Thus, in every corner of the Americas, the feast of Saint Joaquina once again brought together lives, hopes, dreams, and grateful hearts celebrating a story of love, service, and trust in God that continues to energize and give life to the Vedruna charism.
Sister Isabel Miguélez, ccv
