Significant Religious Moment

Maria Mercedes Chinchay Luca made her First Vows of religious profession during Holy Week, March 19, 2008. The ceremony was held at San Jose of the People of Raul Porras Barrenechea Chapel, in Carabayllo, Peru. Many Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul attended the special Mass which was also attended by Maria’s family and friends.

This marks deep significance for Maria and all Sisters of Providence, who were reminded of the responsibility, joy, and the privilege of being called to this journey.

The following are reflections provided by Maria, other Sisters of Providence, family and friends, as well as Leadership members General Superior Sr. Pauline Lally and Sr. Una Byrne who travelled to Peru for the ceremony.

Maria Mercedes Chinchay Luca

Thank you God Father and Mother of Love, of life and kindness for your call and for your stubbornness to guide my path into your friendship. Thanks to my parents, sisters and brothers for knowing how to listen and respond with understanding, friendship and trust. Thanks for my religious lay friends and their actions; thanks to my new family of Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul for accepting me with generosity, friendship and trust and for their continued support in my development of love and self giving as a religious woman. Thanks to the community of Raul Porras Berrenechea, La Flor, Villa Polvorin, Santo Domingo, Villa Esperanza and El Progreso for your presence, perseverance and friendship. The legends in the banners that decorate this place: “Take off your sandals, the place you are stepping into is Holy Land” means, in my life, an encounter with the Lord, a self giving to Him, and that he respects me and accepts me as I am. “She has been forgiven because she shows much love”. This message resounded within me when I was able to reconcile with the Lord, and experience with joy and tears the encounter of His tender and loving arm during my spiritual retreat to initiate the Novitiate process. I ask the Lord that my happiness, joy, humbleness, peace and self giving upon pronouncing my Vows, will last, and that it will be fed with the support of all the congregation, family and friends, especially of our congregational founders.

First Vows

Sister Pauline Lally

Maria’s vow ceremony was beautiful outside under the light of the Passover moon. Padre Adrian, Sr. Sara and others had worked very hard to make it so. My professoras were proud of me. I did O.K. with the Spanish. I didn’t realize that it had been a bit of a strain on me until it was over and then I relaxed and slept very late the next day. The little party here after the fiesta at the church was great fun. The Sisters, a few associates, Danny O´Neill and family came back to the Formation House and we watched Maria open her presents with great joy, had some drinks and danced and danced and danced. After everyone left, Sisters Sara, Patti, Irene and I went out onto the patio and Maria opened all the cards and little presents from the Sisters in Canada. The Sisters were so thoughtful and generous in their gifts and Maria opened each card with great care and delight. She was very touched. We didn’t get to bed until 2 a.m.

Sister Irene MacDonell

Looking at the piles of sand, the rocks and bricks, I thought about all the organization, the effort and the profound desire of these people to construct their own temple. At the same time, gazing at Maria, I discovered another temple; the local church which little by little became the home and inspiration of the people of God.

Sister Rose Healy

I was impressed by the simplicity, setting and the décor. We were surrounded by the hill and the starlit sky - no roof. The most impressive was Maria herself, her poise and happiness were there for all to see.

Sr. Sara Jiménez Angulo

Maria Mercedes started in our community in 2005, in the month of March. She was accepted into the Postulate and started her studies. Every evening after her work, she attended to her studies. She continued her path into the first and second Novitiate with loyalty and of course with a few questions about the process. I remember her as a woman dedicated to prayer, with active participation in the Eucharist, attending very early in the morning the Parish of the Franciscan Priests and on Sundays, her own parish of Raul Porras Barrenechea to fulfill her obligations as a reader, guide and to participate in the Family Catechism. She never missed the spiritual Retreats at Confer in order to live them intensely. Her experience at the Pastoral in the city of Ayacucho “marked” her with the fire of love for the most forgotten ones.

Sister Rose-Marie Bokenfohr

A community of faithful working together in joyful celebration for one of its members is an impressive sight. So many generously prepared the partially constructed area with lights, sound system, altar, chairs, etc., and afterwards, stayed until everything was returned to its place. They were celebrating their friend. Maria’s calmness and joy was an inspiration.