In our Patmos or mission centres, there are people who think that we can confess to them. Others know that only the priest can confess to them, but they have a fine feeling in front of the Mothers. They tell us their sins, even if we tell them that we cannot do it, they insist, because they know that we belong to God. This does not mean that we aspire to the priesthood, but only to tell them how God uses us to save souls.

In Kañaris, there is a village called Santa Lucia, which is 11 hours away from the district on horseback. We usually visit them on the feast of the patron saint. Two mothers go there. On the way there is always someone to guide us.

We had already ridden for 5 hours when a man came out to meet us and told us that his mother was very ill and wanted the Madrecita to visit him. “How lucky I am to meet them on the way, otherwise I would have to travel all the way to Kañaris”.

We turned off on our way, about twenty minutes on horseback. The old woman and her master’s family lived in the house. She showed us in. Her little house was small. The granny did not open her eyes, but now she did. She smiled at us, kissed our hands. Then she spoke in Quechua to her daughter-in-law, telling her that she wanted to stay alone with a mother. I stayed. I took out my crucifix, the holy water and began to pray the Creed and the Salve. I blessed her room. She was praying too, she knew the prayers by heart. She motioned for me to come closer and began to say her sins. I was impressed to see such a simple person, living in the middle of those bushes, but with so much wisdom. I could only say: “He who is nailed here on this cross shed his blood for you and he forgives you”.

We said goodbye and set off for our destination, on the way we learned that he had already passed away.

Patmos Kañaris Convent, Chiclayo, Peru

Amábilis MJVV