SERVANT OF THE LORD AND THE VIRGIN OF MATARA

Servant of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará –  Sister María Encarna de la Cruz, S.S.V.M.                                                        “A flower that is a good scent of Christ”                                                                                              “A true Spouse of Christ and Mother of Souls”

Founder:  Reverend Carlos Miguel Buela, I.V.E.

Place:  San Rafael, Argentina

Year:  1988 A.D.

Her Charism:  This faithful woman (“Servidora”) who stands at the Foot of the Cross is dedicated to prolonging the Incarnation of Jesus Christ through the evangelization of culture.  In this way, she seeks to “sum up all things in Christ.”  This Sister wants Christ to be in everything.  She wants to be a “chalice of Christ” for the poor, for sinners, and for their enemies.  Inherently missionary in nature, her apostolate is “to devote herself preaching the Word of God sharper than a two-edged sword” in all forms: studying theology, mission outreaches, educating children, nursing, pro-life and youth ministries, and performing works of charity with abandoned children, the handicapped, the sick, and the elderly.  This Sister takes a fourth vow entrusting herself entirely to the Blessed Virgin, our Mother and model.  She is like wisteria: she travels in a group, she seems fragile, yet has enormous fortitude to remain faithful to Christ until the end.  † The Cross the Servadora wears was carved by a native of the tribe of Matará, Argentina in 1595 A.D..  This man’s faith was the fruit of Jesuit and Franciscan evangelization and his Cross is an eloquent sign of what this Sister’s Community seeks: the Inculturation of the Gospel. †