 |
Sister Maigualida Riera Sister Maigualida is one of 650 Medical Mission Sisters in 19 nations trying to be present to others in the spirit of Jesus the Healer. Sister Mai was born and raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The eldest of 9 children, she grew up in a poor working family. "In the middle of this I met the Medical Mission Sisters, who lived among us, and in solidarity with us. They had the option to live in better barrios, neighborhoods, in better conditions, but they preferred living with us who were suffering the most." She was active as a catechist and literacy teacher, and involved with a Christian youth group, before she entered our Community in 1993. She is our first native-born Venezuelan Sister. "Mission for me means to bring God's message to people all over the world. It is to work for God's kingdom. It is to claim Jesus' mission as our mission. It is to give of ourselves in the hands of God, to give all for our people," she says. "Mission is also a responsibility that God has given to each one of us. It is to be shared with everyone." Sister Mai is currently in mission in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, with Fe y Alegria, a primary and secondary educational program for the poor that was founded by the Jesuits. She coordinates a formation program for the teachers of Fe y Alegria at the regional level. She is also the contact person for Medical Mission Sisters in Venezuela. Sister Mai has served as Vocation Promotion Coordinator in Venezuela, and as editor of the district newsletter. She studied at the University of Caracas. During a stay at our North American headquarters in Philadelphia, Sister Mai had a very touching experience when visiting a nursing home. "I was inspired to bring my cuatro, a musical instrument that I brought from Venezuela," she recalls. She played at the request of a woman in the nursing home. "To my surprise, the woman was a famous singer who had a beautiful voice," Sister Mai remembers. "With tears in her eyes and a warm smile on her lips, she said, 'For many years, I have not been happy. Today, I am happy again because music is a part of my life.'" Sister Mai shares, "That day I also felt so happy. It was a special moment for both of us, because if she experienced healing through me, I also experienced healing through her."
home
|
|
|
||||||||
