Sisters of St Joseph Awarded

Order of Merit for Distinguished Work in Peru

The Consulate General in Australia, Mr Jaime Burgos, awarded the Sisters of St Joseph, the Order of Merit for Distinguished service in Peru for the last 25 years. On behalf of the Peruvian Government, Mr Burgos said that the award was an acknowledgment of oustanding social work in the areas of Lima, Pitumarca and Tarma.

Sr Anne Derwin, Congregation Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph thanked all the Srs who had worked in Peru, the many volunteers and supporters of the Sisters and those who had given donations of time and money to the project. She also thanked the Peruvian women and men who worked with and for the Sisters.

Background Story

We are a group of Josephite Sisters living and working in Peru. Our first foundation was made in 1981 with a group of four Sisters. Although small in number we have found that the Josephite charism fits into the Peruvian context. We have been in Peru through a period of great political change and upheaval including several years in the late eighties and early nineties of revolution and violence. During this time, one of our sisters Irene McCormack, along with some of the leaders of the community in Huasahuasi, was executed by members of the 'Shining Path' movement.

Irene's burial site in HuasaHuasi, Peru

At present our community includes eleven professed Sisters from Australian and New Zealand provinces, one Peruvian professed Sister and one Peruvian novice.
The photo below shows members of the community when they gathered to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Sister Juanita Scari in March 2008.

The Josephites in Peru March 2008

Our foundation was possible only because of the support of the people who worked with us. As together we developed food kitchens, health groups, etc, they taught us about the culture and the people, and we came to understand how to establish groups that could develop their own leadership and structure.

We shared with them the story of Mary MacKillop and many found they felt at home with her vision and values. Nowadays we are supported by a large number of dedicated Josephite Associates who share our charism and ministry.

Associates and Sisters gathered at the Conclusion of the Chapter, July 2007