Sisters of St. Francis

of Penance and Christian Charity

In the United States since 1874

"Trusting in God and open to risk

we walk with courage"

Chiapas, Mexico

Serving with indigenous poor

Responding to the request of the Mexican Church, the three U.S. provinces of the Sisters of St. Francis have sponsored a mission in Chiapas, Mexico since 1992. The mission serves the poor indigenous peoples in and around the town of Palenque, Chiapas.

Religious education with adult women is the thrust of the ministry there, serving the 120 villages of the local parish, St. Dominic, in Palenque. As the Sisters catechized among the indigenous women, the women requested assistance in learning Spanish as a second language, and organizing cooperatives for baking bread, growing chili, and raising chickens and rabbits. The people are naturally attuned to cooperation and to avoiding competition, so cooperatives of all sorts take hold readily among them. All cooperative work is done in the context of scriptural reflection on values of mutual service and the dignity of God's people.

Access to health care for an indigenous person is obstructed by language, lack of money, distance from medical services, and mistrust of institutional health care. The need for medical assistance is great, and in 1995, Dr. Robert Bull, a physician in Lewiston, New York began annual trips to the mission. During his clinic times, the sick come to Palenque and to villages where clinics are held. Common health problems include parasites, infections, untreated wounds, and many difficulties related to excessive labor and poor nutrition. At left, Dr. Robert Bull and Sister Maura Fortkort are seen visiting the Palenque area. Sister Maura, upon returning from the mission committed herself to finding health resources for the indegenous people.

Young women have found themselves attracted to religious life as they see it expressed in the lives of the sisters. They have asked to be part of their life of prayer and service. Presently, three women have made temporary vows, one woman is a novice, and one a candidate.

The political situation in Chiapas continues to be "an undeclared war" on the poor people. Land given to them to be held in common has been found to contain valuable minerals. In cooperation with the government, wealthy landowners actively seek ways to rid the land of the indigenous people, to claim the wealth of the land. This often involves violence and other tactics that threaten the life and livelihood of the poor.  

Convinced that our call to be sisters minor is a call to solidarity with those who are powerless, we work with them to change situations in which the dignity of persons is violated. Recognizing that we too are in need, we open ourselves to be evangelized by them. We do not hesitate to call the rich to a sense of their responsibility for hungry, illiterate, and crushed people. (General Constitutions #21)

Sisters Guadalupe, Michaela, Leticia, Connie, Juana and Maria at Casa Nantic Magdalena.

Dental care began in 2002.

Chiapas Links                                        

        Marycrest Franciscans in Chiapas

        Nettie Wild's "A Place Called Chiapas"

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