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The Mercedarian Missionaries, who came from Berriz in Spain, recently celebrated the 87th anniversary of their arrival on Saipan.
The Mercedarian sisters were the first group of religious women to come to the island.
The Spanish Sisters Loreta Zubia, Inocencia Urizar, Maria Teresa Cortazar, Pilar Lorenzo and Aurora Chopitea arrived by boat at what is now known as the Garapan Fishing Base on March 4 1928.
Later that same year, a second Pacific mission was opened in Pohnpei.
In 1936, the sisters began a mission in Chuuk.
After World War II, the Mercedarians resumed their work which spread to other islands in Micronesia.
In 1951, the sisters established the Saipan’s first Catholic school, Our Lady of Mercy Kindergarten, now known as Sister Remedios Early Childhood Development Centre.
The following year, Mount Carmel School opened.
A ceremony at Mount Carmel last Wednesday started with a school Mass at the cathedral.
After the Mass, faculty, staff and students, along with the sisters, made their way to the high school building where a rededication and the blessing ceremony took place.
The high school building was re- named after the Sister’s founder, the Blessed Mother Margarita Maria Maturana.
Also present at the ceremony were Lt. Gov. Ralph Torres and Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, Father Ryan Jimenez.
Source
- Marianas Variety
- Image: Marianas Variety
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News category: Asia Pacific.
