Sorocaba Priory

Sorocaba Priory

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SOROCABA / Brasil

In 1905, the first sisters sent from Olinda founded the southern Brazilian St. Scholastica Priory in Sorocaba, Sao Paulo. Today the priory has over 100 sisters and 10 houses. The sisters work in five elementary schools and four high schools. Furthermore, they run a kindergarten, a hospital, work in various parishes and take care of street children as well as many persons in the slums. Our two houses in Argentina belong to the Sorocaba Priory.

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History of Sorocaba Priory

The Beginning

On September 28, 1905, Mother General Birgitta and Srs. Alphonsa Kellenberger and Lioba Schledorn, all of them Germans, arrived by train in Sorocaba, Brasil, invited by Fr. Miguel Kruse, prior of St.Benedict Abbey in São Paulo.

The purpose of the new foundation was to give new life to St. Benedict Monastery in the center of the town, without monks since more than ten years. Soon more Sisters came from Olinda which was founded two years ago.

Already in 1906 our school St. Scholastica College began with ten students (now more than a thousand). In 1908 The community bought a big old building at Rosary Square with the church dedicated to our Lady of the Rosary, built still by slaves in the 18th century. On 31st of december of that year, at night, Indians with typical clothing joined at Rosary square for songs and dances to greet the authorities for the new year.

Thus the surprised Sisters could feel a little bit the soul of the original inhabitants of the country.

Expansion and Development

HIGHLIGHTS:

Increasing number of students and Sisters. In 1919 a period of new foundations began according to needs - schools, pastoral assistance, catechesis, health care - some were closed later, others exist till today (Itapetininga, Rio de Janeiro, Araçoiaba, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Santa Rita d'Oeste, Cunha). In 1922 our mission work in Roraima, Amazonas region, was initiated (for 27 years).

Our schools developed according to needs of each epoch: music, boarding school, trade, costless classes for poor, basic education for poor adults in evenings, teaching, nursing.

M. Melania (prioress general from 1920 -27) was prioress in Sorocaba from 1910 - 20 and 1927 - 1937. It was in Sorocaba that the first non-European novice made vows in 1912: Sr. Henriqueta Fernandes d'Araujo (from Olinda, followed by other Sisters from Sorocaba priory). Sorocaba priory sent the first non-European Sister as missionary to Africa (Angola) in 1956: Sr. Cristina Eloy Rosa, still alive. Other Brazilian Sisters followed.

In 1965 and 1985 new construction and modification of our church in Sorocaba with the misteries of the Rosary painted by the famous artist Claudio Pastro.

Since 1990 groups of oblates were created in our communities. In 1995 the Benedictines of Epiphany (Buenos Aires, Argentina) were aggregated to Sorocaba priory. Now there are two communities in ARGENTINA REGION: Buenos Aires and Los Toldos.

DIFFICULTIES:

In 1910 financial needs almost led to the end of the foundation; St. Benedict Abbey / São Paulo helped.

During the first world war our school was threatened to be closed, since the Sisters were Germans, but the public supervisor who came for visitation stated that everything was according to laws and the Sisters should continue with their excellent school.

In the seventies a lack of vocations - some years without novitiate - was a big concern of the priory.

Blessings of Today

Increasing number of students, since families look for serious education according to Christian values.

Social centers for poor children and youths in three of our communities.

Pastoral work in places without resident priest, continued formation of lay people who are involved in pastoral activities, religious orientation of couples and families.