Threshold Winter 2011

Expansion Project in Brazil Brings Joy
by Anne Shepard, OSB

Friends and store operators joined in the blessing of the new store
fronts during July, 2010. From left are Sisters Eliene, Anne, Maria das Graccas Silva, Ironide Nunes, Grace Malaney, Joselaine Ferreira, and Giselia Inacio Morais.


“Sisters blessing sisters. What a delight that was!” These words of praise by a shop owner, Viviana, resonate in my heart. In July, Sister Grace Malaney and I had the privilege of going to Brazil and to bless the new extension on our monastery in Mineiros, Mosteiro Santa Maria de Deus. On my first visit to meet the sisters they asked me if they could share a dream. They wanted to build a new wing on their property that would have a dual purpose of adding bedrooms and of building small storefronts.

In Mineiros, the churches and orders of religious do not do fundraising, nor do they have development offices as we do here in the United States. One of the sources of income for them is purchasing and then leasing property to build small shops. After two years of planning, we at the Mount gave them a green light to begin the construction. Ten years from now, the sisters hope to gain financial independence from the Mount. That is one of the conditions of becoming an independent Benedictine house. The shops opened in April and the owners were awaiting our arrival for the blessing.

They had already chosen July 26, the feast of St. Anne, to celebrate their new space. Architects and engineers and the shop owners joined the five Brazilian sisters, and the two of us, in an opening prayer. We then processed outside singing the Jubilate Deo chant, accompanied by guitar and drum, as we traveled to each of the five stores. Once inside, we prayed that the shop keepers would greet all guests as Christ, (RB, ch. 53), and gave the greeting of Christ’s peace to the owners and customers. Once we finished the blessing of the stores, we went inside to bless the new bedroom and living space that was built on top of the stores. Finally, the builders and engineers were given a benediction and thanked for their expertise and listening skills as they planned the new addition in collaboration with our sisters.

Why was this event so important? Our sisters went there in 1964 to establish a monastic presence in a small town of less than 7,000 citizens. More than 45 years later with a growing population now 70,000, the Mount was asked to support the Brazilian sisters financially with an expansion. And 2008 was not the year to agree to any new capital improvement projects. But we sisters knew that God has been so good to us here in the States as well as in Brazil. With careful planning and savings, we were able to expand our Dooley Center and retrofit St. Cecilia’s. Their request paled in comparison to our projects. As women of faith and foresight, we affirmed our Brazilian sisters’ desire to start the independence they want so much.