On Saturday, August 29, the Teresian Family of Chile gathered at the Votive Church of Maipú to celebrate, with deep joy and gratitude, a Mass marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Company of Saint Teresa of Jesus. It was a gathering marked by grateful remembrance, communion, and hope, during which sisters, students, families, educators, laypeople, and friends of the Company renewed their commitment together to continue bringing the Teresian charism to life.
Under the theme “Let’s get to work; time is of the essence, and circumstances are pressing,” the celebration brought together representatives from the various Teresian communities in Chile, along with those who joined via social media to participate in this jubilee Mass. The Votive Church of Maipú, a place of homeland and brotherhood, welcomed this large family, who came together to give thanks for the Company’s 150 years of life and mission throughout the world and, in particular, for its history in Chile.
The Teresian Family in Chile gathered around the altar table
The celebration began with a welcome to the sisters of the Society of Saint Teresa of Jesus and to the delegations from various communities and ministries. Representatives from the following were present:
- Santa Teresa School in Illapel
- Enrique de Ossó Teresian School in Santiago
- Los Ángeles Teresian School
- Padre Enrique de Nacimiento Teresian School
- Santa Teresa de Jesús University Residence Hall
- Teresian Mission in Canela
- Teresian Mission Lo Hermida
- Teresian Movement of Apostolate (MTA)
- Teresian Associates
- Teresians at Heart
- Members of the Provincial Curia
- The sisters' families
- Friends of the Company.
This diversity of participants made it clear that the Teresian story has not been shaped by a single person or a single group, but by many lives that , over time, have each contributed their own “thread” to a common fabric. This was expressed by Sister Rosaura Jorge, Provincial Coordinator, in her words of thanks at the conclusion of the Mass: “This history has not been written by a single hand; it has been a story of interwoven lives, in which we—sisters and laypeople—have contributed our own thread, color, and texture to create together this living, beautiful fabric where each person is indispensable and has a mission.”
A Dedicated and Fruitful History
During the Mass presided over by Father Elías Hidalgo, the origins of the Society—born of the generous response of Saint Enrique de Ossó and the first sisters who heeded God’s call—were gratefully commemorated. The Company’s arrival in Chile in 1916 was also commemorated, with gratitude for its history of presence, education, evangelization, and service, which has accompanied so many generations since then.
In the homily, it was emphasized that celebrating 150 years does not simply mean commemorating a date, but rather celebrating a charism that was born in the heart of God, passed through the heart of Enrique de Ossó, and came to life in so many women who dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ and to the service of others.
The reflection invited us to return to the roots of the Society: Christ. From there, we recalled Enrique de Ossó’s insight that education is a profoundly evangelizing endeavor and that the entire Teresian mission seeks to make Jesus known and loved.
Special gratitude was also expressed for the selfless lives of so many sisters who, over the past 150 years, have educated, evangelized, accompanied, catechized, formed, visited, listened to, and prayed—often through a silent, everyday presence. Their dedication has made it possible to sow countless Teresian seeds in Chile and in various parts of the world.
Eight Lights for a Shared Story
One of the highlights of the celebration was the Offertory. Along with the bread and wine, eight candles were presented as a symbol of “the light we have received and the light we are called to share.” Each candle represented different works, presences, and expressions of the Teresian charism in Chile, all of which were represented at the celebration.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Sister Rosaura Jorge expressed her gratitude to everyone who made this celebration possible and to those who joined in person and via social media. As she looked out at the packed church, she recognized in those present not simply a group of people gathered together, but a family celebrating and giving thanks for the 150 years of life and history of the Company of St. Teresa of Jesus.
The Provincial Coordinator also noted that these 150 years “are not a finish line, but a starting point.” Today’s world, with its divisions and searching, needs signs of communion and hope, and this anniversary invites us to continue living out the Teresian inspiration, the sense of being Teresians and Teresian women, and hope, as we work together to build a more humane society.
A story that continues to unfold
The day concluded with an artistic performance inspired by the Teresian charism and the founding of the Society. Through music, movement, and expression, the performance evoked that dream which God placed in the heart of Saint Enrique de Ossó and which, beginning as a small light, has spread to different places and across generations through education, prayer, and service.
Thus, the Teresian Family of Chile celebrated its 150th anniversary with grateful hearts and their eyes set on the future. It is a story that we all continue to write together, with the certainty that the charism remains alive as long as Jesus continues to be known and loved.
150 years later, the flame is still burning. And the invitation remains: to continue rolling up our sleeves and getting to work, with hope, so that everything may lead to Jesus.
All for Jesus.
