Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Asuncion (Fides Service) - Since 1925 the Oblate Missionaries of Immaculate Mary (OMI) have worked among the Nivacle Indian peoples in the Chaco region of Paraguay and since the 1940s also with the Guarani peoples in the same region. For a long time they have prayed for vocations among the local people and at last their prayers and efforts have been rewarded. The Apostolic Vicariate of Pilcomayo is proud to have one Sister who taken her perpetual vows, another who has made her first vows and a girl at the Novitiate of the Oblate Sisters Hermanas Oblatas. The Oblate Fathers also have the joy of one Guarani Scholastic and the Vicariate has two diocesan seminarians.
The dream of local vocations among the Nivacle people came true on October 4, the feast of St Francis of Assisi, when sister Clara, aged 23, took her first vows as a Franciscan Sister of Christ the King. Sister Clara comes from Fischat where the Oblates have worked since 1927. The Franciscan Sisters were the first to join the Oblate Missionaries in Chaco in 1936. Initially Clara was not encouraged by her family or the local people in her desire to enter the religious life. But when the time came for Clara to take her vows an unspeakable joy filled the town. Young and old prepared for the event and the news spread far and wide. Even people 100 kilometres away prepared to take part in the event.
The day of her profession was a day to remember. The Liturgy was in Spanish and Nivacle and the hymns chosen by Clara were in Nivacle and Latin which pleased the older people present. Father Miguel Fritz have a homily in Nivacle. The most touching moment was when Clara entered wearing the habit of her congregation and she made her profession in Nivacle. Everyone applauded warmly and this is unusual for the Nivacle people, not accustomed to clapping their hands. They all wanted to touch the new Sister, the first of their culture. After Mass there was a reception for everyone. (S.L.) (Fides Service 10/12/2003; lines 26; words 385)
