40 years of contemplative presence in El Salvador

On Saturday, the 22nd August 22, in San Salvador, El Salvador, in an atmosphere of profound joy, fraternity and thanksgiving, the Poor Sisters of St. Clare celebrated the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Monastery of St. Damian, giving thanks to the Lord for four decades of contemplative presence and fidelity to the charism of St. Clare of Assisi in Salvadoran lands. 

The history of this community began precisely on the 22nd of August 1986, when the first founding sisters, coming from the Santa Clara Monastery in Guatemala, arrived in El Salvador carrying with them the desire to live and witness to the values proper to the Clarian way of life: incarnate prayer, the highest poverty and fraternity. 

Forty years later, the celebration once again brought the Franciscan Family together around the sisters. Brothers and sisters of the Secular Franciscan Order, members of the community of Los Planes, the Poor Clare Sisters of the Mother Santa Clara Monastery of Puerta Parada, Guatemala, and sisters of the Federation from monasteries in Costa Rica, Panama, and Puerto Rico participated. 

Br. Edgardo Manuel Pérez Tejeira, OFM, Minister Provincial of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Guatemala), presided over the solemn Mass of thanksgiving, and several brother priests concelebrated. Also present was Fr. Efrén Antonio Bolaños de Paz, OFM, Pontifical Assistant of the Poor Clare Sisters.

 The celebration was an occasion to gratefully remember the road travelled and, at the same time, to renew hope. From its beginnings, the community of the Monastery of San Damiano has sought to be a simple presence of prayer and fraternity amongst the people, keeping alive the spirituality of St Francis and St Clare of Assisi. 

As we celebrate these 40 years of grace, the sisters continue to entrust their vocation and mission to the Lord, grateful for the many brothers and sisters and benefactors who have accompanied their history and renewing the desire to continue to offer the Church and the world the silent and fruitful witness of a life entirely given to God. 

by Br. Edgar Daniel Coyoy Medrano, OFM 

Provincial Secretary