June — and especially for Chile — is a significant month for the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence.
By Alejandra Valdés, Providence Associate of the Emilia Gamelin Community in Chile. Text requested by the Office of the Cause of Beatification of Mother Bernarda Morin in the framework of the anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Providence in Chile and the Journey to Oneness.
Soon, we’ll be commemorating 172 years since the arrival of the Sisters of Providence in Valparaiso, Chile. Among those who arrived on June 17, 1853, a young woman stands out. She had abandoned her home, her family and her country just as her companions had done. All of them finally arrived in Chile following the designs of the Providence.
Upon their arrival they realized the needs were manifold, just like they are today. Authorities at the time saw the opportunity of entrusting hundreds of abandoned children—who were lacking not only food, but also the embrace and maternal affection so important for a person to grow and fully develop—to this group of women who would care for them.
Soon, Sister Bernarda Morin stood out from the group of young religious. At an early age in her native Canada, she engaged in catechesis, as she devoted herself to making God known and beloved. This undoubtedly gave her the experience she needed to apply those learnings in her mission of evangelizing, serving, loving and teaching so many children who, in the words of the renowned Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral:”[had] little children’s feet, bluish from the cold”.
Once the Sisters of Providence settled down in Chile, the leadership of Mother Bernarda Morin allowed them to organize the Mission, as part of the plan God had prepared for her in that distant land where she remained until her death. But her work wasn’t focused only on the children. It also encompassed working with adults at schools, hospitals, and homes for the elderly. Mother Bernarda appealed to the whole Chilean society for collaboration. As a response, many lay people committed to the Mission. She guided her religious sisters with resolve, kindness, love, generosity, mercy, honesty and sacrifice, to achieve the common goal of seeing in each person in need the human face of God.
As a tribute to the work carried out by the Congregation, one of the main streets in Santiago is called Providencia Avenue. Also, in appreciation for the contribution to the Chilean society and to those most vulnerable, the Chilean government awarded Mother Bernarda Morin the Medal of the Highest Merit, on June 27, 1925.
Open your eyes
On the verge of celebrating 100 years since the tribute of the work and dedication of Mother Bernarda in Chile by Chilean the government, we ask ourselves: Where are we now?
It is sad to see that over the years her story is barely known. Humans tend to forget their past. We, Chileans must recognize our ingratitude towards this petite woman who, as such a young age, renounced her country and her family, but not her ideals, trusting fully in God and Our Lady of Sorrows.
Nowadays in our society, and especially among women, when highlighting the work of other women has become so important, how well do we know Mother Bernarda? What do we know about her values, teachings and all her worthy heritage? This Servant of God always tried to do justice, but without feeding resentment–which can inflict so much damage–with unconditional and compassionate love, without hatred, with truth, but without wrongdoing, discrimination or revenge, always seeking to acknowledge the dignity in each human being, in her daily work and mission, without resorting to populist arguments, which never lead by example and are devoid of substance.
In a context where both locally and globally there is an enormous need for love of our neighbor, solidarity, commitment, courage, wisdom, respect, justice and mercy, where do these values find their strength? We should reflect upon his Holiness Pope Francis’ words when he asked us: “to know how to look beyond personal comfort”. May that “smell of the sheep” of which he used to speak be the living proof of our commitment, so one day we’ll become worthy role models, by imitating his virtues, and practicing constant love for our neighbor.
Mother Bernarda, how much we would love to have you with us in these times! Where would you be living today?
As a society, we should figure out which words Mother Bernarda we would use to comfort the lonely and abandoned; or those who are without job, house, bread or shelter; or those young students who feel frustrated and those who suffer harassment or discrimination; or the victims of violence, abuse, drugs; or those who so easily feel exhausted without doing much, without being aware of their full strength and that they could share it with others.
In all honesty, how much do we know about the real world? It is likely that there you may find what you are looking for: to collaborate in opening people’s eyes to be able to look and see around us.
The latest breakthroughs in science, technology, communications and human knowledge allow us to achieve more. Progress puts different tools at our disposal, but we lack that unconditional love with which Mother Bernarda devoted herself to the Mission. Let us pray that we may see with her eyes, that we may be filled with that same love she felt for the Mission. May she inspire us to acknowledge that every sacrifice we make, no matter how small, will contribute to the work of God in solidarity, kindness, love and collaboration, as it is his will for us today.
Thank you, Mother Bernarda, for the impression you left on us.
Providence of God, I believe in you.
Providence of God, I hope in you.
Providence of God, I love you with all my heart.
Providence of God, I thank you for all.