From yesterday...to today
On February 11, 1956, three
Claretian Sisters arrive at New
York. They come as every immigrant,
with a dream. Their dream is to
share the Gospel of love and
compassion in the same way as St.
Anthony M. Claret and Servant of God
Maria Antonia Paris.
After a few months of becoming
acquainted with American culture,
they open the fifth community in
Momence, Illinois on July 31, 1956.
They cooperate in the house of
formation of the Claretian Fathers.
Two years later, a second community
is formed in Washington, D.C. on
September 3, 1958. Here also the
sisters cooperate with the Claretian
house of formation, and at the same
time operate a small boarding house
for female foreign students.
From 1962-65, the Church celebrates
the Second Vatican Council, new
Pentecost, which will transform the
Church and initiate a process of
change and conversion. The Claretian
Missionary Sisters, as part of the
Church, experience the effects of
the powerful wind of the Spirit of
God. Both communities in the north
are closed, and the sisters respond
to the urgent need to minister to
migrant farm workers in South
Florida. On November 9, 1971, a
community is established to work at
Our Lady Queen of Peace Mission in
Delray Beach.
Four years later, on February 25,
1975 a new community opens in Miami.
The sisters take up diocesan and
parochial tasks in catechesis,
liturgy, music, and evangelization.
On August 15, 1990, another
community is established in Miami to
work with young people, and later
becomes the house of formation for
candidates to the Claretian
Missionary Sisters in the United
States. In 1996, after 40 years in
the United States, our three
communities become a Independent
Delegation or small province in the
Congregation.
Our Delray community, having
fulfilled its mission, closes in
2002 and we establish two new
communities, one in West Palm Beach
in the Diocese of Palm Beach and
another one in Mayo, Diocese of St.
Augustine.
MINISTRY
Our ministry is always
evangelization as a way to renew the
Church and build the Kingdom of God.
Each sister carries out this mission
of evangelization according to the
needs of a particular area and her
talents. In South Florida we work in
seminaries, parishes, universities,
and diocesan ministries.
- Christian formation of children,
young people, and adults
- social services
- migrant ministry
- liturgical ministry
- formation of candidates to the
priesthood and deaconate
- retreat ministry
- Youth and Vocational Ministry
