The history, the steps and the challenges of our Congregation have sought, over time, to respond to the most urgent needs of each age, consistent with the call of Jesus, the Good Samaritan, who passed through the world doing good. For this reason, on December 3 we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the presence of the Hospitaller Sisters in Argentina.
The Hospitaller Sisters began a new mission in Argentina at a key time. In 1971, the path of the foundation began, with the help of the sisters Sor Consuelo López, (Vice-provincial Superior of Barcelona), who went to Sor Piedad del Corazón de María Núñez (Superior General), requesting permission to open a new house, and install a Community “for the Glory of God and Relief of Hurting Humanity”, in Argentina.
In February 1971, Sister Consuelo and Sister Piedad undertook the first trip to Latin America, with their hearts set on the foundation, even without having the slightest idea of how they were going to carry it out. When they arrived in Argentina, the Brothers of San Juan de Dios received them with great affection, accommodating them in one of their houses and, with their help, in a short time they found a beautiful farm for sale, very appropriate for the hospital purposes that the sisters yearned for.
Given the great social demand and the reality of abandonment experienced by many elderly people, the Congregation saw the urgent care of these people necessary. After a great founding process and with all the corresponding civil approvals, they inaugurated the “Hogar Nuestra Señora de Belén” on December 3, 1971, administered by four sisters: Sister María Luisa Agudo, Sister Presentation Orcaray, Sister Teresa Pérez de Ovano and Sister Isabel Barcala. Currently, Sr. Presentation Orcaray continues at the center.
The first year of activity, the center received only three residents, since all the work, at that time, was done by the sisters. Little by little, the center grew and, today, it has a multidisciplinary team very well prepared at a professional and charismatic level.
It should be noted that, for many years, this house was the headquarters of the Delegation of Argentina, which was made up of the following countries; Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Uruguay. The Delegation grew and became a Vice-Province, until the time of the unification of the province in Latin America.
The imprint of hospitality
Furthermore, on January 22, 1983, by canon law, the novitiate of the Delegation of Argentina was instituted in this community. There are many sisters who passed through this Community, moved by the call of Jesus to make present the Merciful love of God. Each one of them left, with her tireless effort and work, the imprint of hospitality in the hearts of the people served.
During these 50 years of history, the care activity carried out in the center is the comprehensive care of the elderly, both at a care level as well as human and spiritual. In this sense, an important task that they carry out is the spiritual assistance and active listening of the residents. Work that the sisters complement with their active and charismatic presence, together with specialized collaborators.
At present, the center has 95 long-stay beds, 65 collaborators and a community of 8 sisters, of which two are Junior Sisters, so it continues to be a formative community. The contribution of our presence, on a social level, is very significant, since with the practice of hospitality it has been possible to reduce problems such as: the abandonment of the elderly and the care of them. In this sense, our Institution has also contributed to the creation of stable and decent sources of work, thus contributing to greater social and economic development in the area.
