Home » Projects » EXISTENCE AID » Support for women religious: “Sisters of the smile”

Support for women religious: “Sisters of the smile”

The coronavirus epidemic has plunged millions of people into hunger and despondency. Everywhere, the Church is stretched to the limit, but particularly in the poorest countries of the southern hemisphere. For many people her service of love is crucial to their very survival. Your support for religious Sisters helps make the love of God visible. The prelature of Humahuaca in Argentina is an area of deep poverty. There are 10 religious Sisters here from four different communities, all battling on different pastoral and humanitarian fronts.

Your support for their life and apostolate (€4,600) can be seen and felt in the homes they run for the elderly, for women and orphans – both in the towns and in the countryside, in the boarding schools for girls, and their youth apostolate. The Claretian Sisters are active in many places. Your support gives them fresh courage. Their trust in God is infectious according to Hector, a catechist in the parish of the Presentation of Our Lady. He applies the words of their founder Saint Anthony Maria Claret to them: “Lord, let us burn with love and with this fire of love light up our way.” Your support nurtures these flames of love. For Nancy, a catechist, they are “the Sisters of the smile”. The joy and resolute faith of these Sisters gives them the courage, despite the circumstances, to keep on looking for solutions.

With their selfless kindness they are giving courage to others – and an example of love. In the diocese of Tacna y Moqueguá, Peru, there are 36 religious Sisters from 11 different communities; in Venezuela there are 48 in the diocese of La Guaira alone, not to mention thousands of others in Latin America and Africa who, thanks to your generous support, are able to continue working, quietly and uncomplainingly. Their joyful hearts, filled with love, are tackling the needs of these times. In the poor they see Christ, and in their smiling faces the poor see the face of God.

Don't miss the latest updates!

Gaza: First Sunday of Peace after the Ceasefire

The parish priest of Gaza called on his flock to…

Pope thanks children who prayed for peace in ACN campaign

This was the 20th edition of ACN’s One Million Children…

Gaza: First step towards peace after 733 days of war

While indirect talks are taking place in Egypt between Israeli…

Rome to host official launch of Religious Freedom Report 2025

Religious and public leaders will be gathering on October 21…

Papal envoy carries solidarity to the Christians of war-torn Sudan

Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan, Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, has…

In the east of Burkina Faso, still many problems as term starts

While the security situation in Burkina Faso has improved slightly,…

From Angola to Vietnam, enthusiasm with “One million children praying the Rosary” campaign

ACN’s yearly campaign, added to the Holy Father’s appeal to…

List of News

Gaza: First Sunday of Peace after the Ceasefire

The parish priest of Gaza called on his flock to “forgive all those who have failed and to ask forgiveness” for their own shortcomings, as preparation for what he hopes...

The Holy Father calls for renewed commitment to defend religious freedom and stand with persecuted Christians worldwide

Pope Leo XIV receives Aid to the Church in Need in private audience This morning, 10 October 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received pontifical foundation Aid to the Church...

Pope thanks children who prayed for peace in ACN campaign

This was the 20th edition of ACN’s One Million Children Praying the Rosary campaign. Pope Leo XIV kept up the tradition of his predecessor, Pope Francis, by promoting the One...