PHOTOS, SISTER MARIANNE SAIEG, O.S.F.; TEXT, CAROL SCHUCK SCHEIBER AND JOEL SCHORN

Lea este artículo en español en VocacionCatolica. org.

Read this article in Spanish at VocacionCatolica. org. BRAZILIAN and U.S. sisters and associates minister in Santa Helena de Goiás in central Brazil.

Lessons in love from central Brazil

PHOTOS BY SISTER MARIANNE SAIEG, O.S.F.

TEXT BY CAROL SCHUCK SCHEIBER AND JOEL SCHORN

N 1963, THE SISTERS of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate—the Joliet Franciscans—answered a call to I work in Brazil. Today, both U.S. and

Brazilian sisters make up the community in Brazil. They work in parishes, run a school, and train health workers. “They taught us to be happy with less, says one sister who came to Brazil from the United States 40 years ago—before paved roads. “The people with

Sister Marianne Saieg, O.S.F. is a Joliet Franciscan, spiritual director, retreat facilitator, teacher, and photographer. She lives in Westmont, IL. whom we lived and worked taught us to keep only what we really need, to use everything, waste nothing, spend time visiting, talking, and learning their values and ways of doing things.” That’s why the sisters stay. They’ve learned to love the people and their ways.

THE SISTERS train health care workers to measure and weigh children and track their growth and development.

A PRAYER at their water wheel is part of the sisters’ annual missioning ceremony.

THE PEOPLE OF SANTO ANTÔNIO da Barra live in simple houses (top photo), close to the earth and the elements.

SISTER ROSE Maria Lima (above) congratulates Sister Rita Cristina after Sister Rita made her final vows.