Sisters of Mercy Newfoundland have been in Peru since 1961 and now minister in two areas of the country – in Puerto Eten, Reque and Eten, in the Chiclayo region and in Huarmey, Ancash. Our presence in the Chiclayo region means we have come to know Pope Leo, formerly Bishop Prevost.
Sr Mildred who has spent 57 years in Peru writes
From my pastoral experience as a Sister of Mercy, I can testify that Pope Leo XIV is a man of God, simple, wise and approachable, deeply attentive to the concerns and needs of the most vulnerable.
From the beginning of his leadership as Bishop in our Diocese, he felt the need to promote synodal work and, faithful to Pope Francis’ call, involved the approximately 50 parishes within the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Chiclayo in a Listening Process, gathering the voices of God’s people to be a more open and participatory Church and journeying together in the mission of evangelization, hand in hand with the social reality of our people.
Chiclayo, at this time, was experiencing the migration phenomenon, especially among the Venezuelan population, with whom he identified, opening doors and opportunities, promoting the formation of the Commission on Human Mobility and Human Trafficking, of which I am a member, and promoting and coordinating with other institutions to support the arduous task of welcoming, promoting, and integrating.
Chiclayo is experiencing a celebration of gratitude for the legacy that Pope Leo XIV has left us as both a blessing and a challenge.
Messages/Requests to: Sr Diane Smyth, Congregational Leader
Listen to the excellent interview with Sr Rosemary Ryan on Pope Leo’s connections with the Sisters of Mercy Newfoundland.
The interview on CBC Listen (Radio), recorded on 14 May 2025 can be heard here (7 minutes)
Photo Story: Bishop Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, ministering among the people of Chiclayo
Photo Story: Bishop Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, celebrating Final Profession of Sr. Rosali Sanchez in Perpetuo Sucorro Parish, Puerto Eten and Sr. Alita Sanchez in San Pedro Parish, Monsefu.
Photos/fotos: Augusto Martinez Ibanaz
Las Hermanas de la Misericordia están presentes en el Perú desde 1961 y ahora ejercen su ministerio en dos zonas del país: en Puerto Eten, Reque y Eten, en la región de Chiclayo, y en Huarmey, Ancash. Nuestra presencia en la región de Chiclayo significa que hemos llegado a conocer al Papa León.
La Hermana Mildred, que ha pasado 57 años en Perú, escribe
Desde mi experiencia pastoral como Hermana de la Misericordia, puedo testimoniar que el Papa León XIV es un hombre de Dios, sencillo, sabio y cercano, profundamente atento a las preocupaciones y necesidades de los más vulnerables.
Desde el inicio de su liderazgo como Obispo en nuestra Diócesis, sintió la necesidad de impulsar el trabajo sinodal y, fiel al llamado del Papa Francisco, involucró a las aproximadamente 50 parroquias de la jurisdicción de la Diócesis de Chiclayo en un Proceso de Escucha, recogiendo las voces del pueblo de Dios para ser una Iglesia más abierta y participativa y caminar juntos en la misión evangelizadora, de la mano con la realidad social de nuestro pueblo.
Chiclayo, en ese momento, vivía el fenómeno migratorio, especialmente entre la población venezolana, con la que se identificó, abriendo puertas y oportunidades, promoviendo la formación de la Comisión de Movilidad Humana y Trata de Personas, de la que soy miembro, y promoviendo y coordinando con otras instituciones para apoyar la ardua tarea de acoger, promover e integrar.
Chiclayo vive una fiesta de gratitud por el legado que el Papa León XIV nos ha dejado como una bendición y un desafío a la vez.
Mensajes/Solicitudes a la Hna. Diane Smyth, Líder Congregacional
The conclave (meeting of the Cardinals) will take place in the Sistine Chapel. The date for commencement of this process follows the official nine days of mourning following the death of Pope Francis.
We give thanks for his humility, wisdom and vision for a synodal church. We are inspired by his Gospel witness of mercy, peace, reconciliation and compassionate care for all, particularly the poor, the migrant and marginalised and his call to action on the climate crisis, reminding the world of our shared responsibility to care for our common home.
Easter is the feast of hope. This is the feast that says God will have the last word and that God’s final judgment is resurrection. God will turn all that we maim and destroy and hurt and punish into life and beauty. What the resurrection reveals more than anything else is that love is stronger than death. Jesus walks the way of death with love and what it becomes is not death but life! It doesn’t fit any logical explanation. Yet this is the mystery: that nothing dies forever, and all that has died will be reborn in love. So, to be a Christian is to be inevitably and forever a person of hope.
In the words of Sister Joan Chittister:
Square at 9pm Rome time, 4.30pm Newfoundland time.
Jubilee 2025- Pilgrims of Hope (video)