Hermanas Basilianas
c. Caracas, 370
1406 Flores
Buenos Aires
Tel.:(54) 114 613 3168
Fax: (54) 114 611 9945
Em: osbmcp@yahoo.com.ar
website: www.hermanasbasilianas.org.ar
History
Just before World War II, at the request
of the Basilian Fathers, two Sisters from the monastery
in Pidmychajlivci, Halychyna, (Ukraine) went to Argentina
in 1939. Mother Sofronia Erdely and Mother Marhareta
Fendio volunteered for the mission. Metropolitan Andrej
Sheptyckyj blessed them for this endeavor.
The Sisters landed in Buenos Aires
harbor August 20, 1939 and settled in Apostoles, Misiones
Province that had a sizeable Ukrainian population. The
Basilian Fathers who had their monastery there procured
a small house for a convent. Sisters began their many
faceted apostolates among the faithful immediately but
with great difficulties on the part of the Latin Church,
which did not understand the Eastern Catholics and limited
the Sisters' activity among the people. Sisters looked
after the churches, taught religion, the Ukrainian language,
and undertook the upbringing of children entrusted to
their care. In the summer months, they traveled to the
colonies* to teach catechism. In San Jose already during
the first summer, Sisters prepared 75 children for First
Holy Communion.
In 1940, the first candidate entered
the monastery. With time, the number of Sisters increased.
Sister Rafaela Kaszynski came to Argentina by way of
the United States from the Pidmychajlivci monastery.
After World War II, Mother Macrina Chudiak and Mother
Maria Turkalo also, from Ukraine, came to Argentina.
They contributed much to the development of the Province.
Understanding the needs of the Eastern
Church, Sisters reach out in service beyond the confines
of Argentina. They began the permanent ministry in Australia
and were initially involved in establishing the mission
in Brazil. In their own homeland, Sisters are committed
to serving the Church and God's people with zeal.
*colonies - sparsely settled areas of
land far removed from the city and hard to reach by
regular means of transportation
Ministries
Being
carriers of God’s Word and of prophetic
vision, Mother Sofronia Erderli and Marhareta
Fendio followed the Gospel way of life as taught
by Saint Basil. The example of their life of poverty
and sacrifice, attracted many young girls who
dedicated themselves to the service of God and
the Eastern Catholic Church. |
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Their
ministry expanded into the provinces of Buenos
Aires, Mendosa, Misiones and Rio Negro. Likewise,
Sisters from Argentina serve in Rome. They went
as mission workers to Australia, and stayed permanently. |
Today
Sisters continue to glorify God by their life and prayer.
Their apostolate unfolded from simple and ordinary work,
into a great educational endeavor in schools and institutions
where children aged 3 to 18 are educated in the fundamentals
of faith. Sisters care for homeless girls and the elderly.
Their apostolate includes:
Providing
havens for poor children,
Preparing children for receiving the Holy Sacraments,
Visiting the sick,
Pastoral work with families,
Youth ministry,
Guiding prayer groups,
Serving as sacristans and caring for the beauty of God’s
House,
Nurturing folk traditions and folk art,
Teaching the Ukrainian language.
The
Basilian Sisters in Argentina appertain to the
Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church. The Church
is being enriched by the apostolate of the Sisters
who provide a Catholic education in four schools
frequented by over 2,300 students.
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Sisters
administer two nursing homes for the elderly;
provide boarding facilities for girls attending
high schools in the city and provide care for
children in two shelters for children. Sisters
have monasteries and centers in Flores, Villa
Adelina and Berisso in Buenos Aires; Bowen,
Mendoza; Posadas, Apostoles, San Vicente and
Alem in Misiones; and Bariloche and El Bolson
in Rio Negro. |
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