Vincentian Missions Hornopirén – CHILE
Under the motto “With Jesus, We Are Missionaries of Hope,” the Vincentian Family in Chile initiated the Rural Mission for the years 2025 and 2028. As part of this project, from January 10 to January 19, 2025, they began supporting the pastoral work of the Holy Family Parish in Hornopirén, located in the Region of Los Lagos, with its pastor, Father Antonio Van Kessel.
The missions consist of three stages, starting with the Pre-Mission process. In this stage, 47 members from various branches of the Vincentian Family took part. Participants included priests from the Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity sisters, educators, teaching assistants, as well as representatives from the Association of the Miraculous Medal and Vincentian Marian Youth.
During our mission, we visited the communities of Mañihueico, La Poza, Aulen, Isla Queullín, Chauchíl, Contao, Quildaco Bajo, Curamín, and Rolecha. This experience allowed us to connect with the families in each community, gaining insight into their realities, needs, and dreams for their local areas. It was a time for listening and mutual enrichment, marked by the blessing of homes and families, as well as moments of closeness and fraternity.
The missionary community collaborates with various groups to carry out several key activities, including daily Eucharist, diverse celebrations and prayers, anointing of the sick, blessing of homes, formative and welcoming meetings, and activities for both children and adults. They also provide baptismal catechesis, distribute sacraments, and organize pilgrimages.
Below, we present three testimonies from members of VMY.
The Hornopirén Missions have been a unique and enriching experience, quite different from what we’ve encountered in Copiapó. While there was more training involved here, it did not include any tours. One challenge we faced was the lack of detailed maps for each community. This meant we had to walk long distances and venture into the hills to locate houses and visit families. In Copiapó, although we also did a lot of walking, the areas were more organized with streets, which made navigation easier. However, it’s important to note that it’s not possible to compare a camp with an established community.
The service groups in the nine communities were quite diverse, consisting of members of different ages, Vincentian branches, and types of service. Similar to the Copiapó Missions, we were unaware of how the groups would be distributed until the last day, just before we were to leave for our next destination. This unexpected revelation surprised us, but rather than discouraging us, it fostered the formation of a strong team, with the hope that more people will join us in the future.
The local service was quite similar to that in Copiapó. In the mornings, depending on the weather, we gathered information about the families and their needs, particularly related to the Catholic Church. Many residents expressed concern about the declining attendance at Mass and the difficulties in determining who is responsible for the church within the community.
In the afternoons, we held meetings with older adults, as they were the majority in the area. We also attempted to organize activities for children and young people; however, there were very few of them, and most did not reside in the area.
Overall, this mission has been a profound learning experience, filled with challenges and valuable experiences that have strengthened our commitment to service.
Mikaela Villalobos – VMY St. Vincent de Paul, Copiapó.
We had a very nice experience, starting with the warm welcome from several families who treated us with love and generosity. However, we also encountered some difficulties. The distances we had to travel from our accommodations to the homes we were visiting limited the number of families we could reach in the time we had. Additionally, we faced a shortage of cooking utensils, but we managed to organize ourselves well enough that there was never a lack of food.
Despite these challenges, it was a beautiful experience. We enjoyed the scenery and met wonderful people from the community with whom we shared and interacted.
Mathias Bocanegra- VMY Pier Giorgio Frassati, Santiago.
I would describe my experience on the mission as new and exciting. It was my first time participating in such a meeting, and it turned out to be a very rewarding experience.
I felt that this mission helped me grow and provided an opportunity to connect with others who, like us, embody the Vincentian charism. It was a genuine learning experience and a moment of encounter with both the community and with God.
In the community where I served, we always aimed to give our best. We encountered various realities, and each day brought new families with unique stories. As a community, we adhered to schedules that we tried to follow closely, allowing us to go on mission as soon as possible. Each house we visited was an opportunity for personal growth, making this experience one that I value greatly.
I am grateful to those who make these missions possible, as they contribute significantly to our lives.
Valentina Escobar- VMY La Milagrosa, Punta Arenas.
