Led by the Holy Spirit, the Sisters of Ireland headed for Peru in 1966; founding the Community with four Sisters, in the district of La Esperanza, province of Trujillo, department of La Libertad; motivated by the desire to bring the Good News of salvation and a message of hope to homes. Soon Peruvian women joined them, who are "driven to relieve human suffering; to bring to others the knowledge of the redeeming power of suffering and death; and a knowledge of their relationship with the Father, reproducing in ourselves Christ who heals, comforts, teaches, and loves. Christ who knows always the needs of others." (Constitutions No. 15 and Declaration of the Mission of Bon Secours).

"They dedicated themselves to the mothers and children and to the medical care, social work, religious instruction, and all types of apostleship in La Esperanza." The words of Mother Geay, "What shall we do for the poor?" were the principal motive (Report of the Commission, page 9).

Since its beginnings, loving availability; devotion and courage, as well as solidarity, growth, innovation, reconciliation, justice, service, compassion, respect, joy, charity, simplicity and integrity; have been traditional virtues of Bon Secours in Peru. "The dynamic force which inspires and enlivens renewal and adaptation...is in the Grace [Carisma] of our Founder" (Constitutions No. 4). This renewal continues by means of "Liberation--Healing--Evangelization" and the way in which the Sisters of Bon Secours relieve suffering in Latin America (Commission Report--Grace [Carisma]), in the variety of apostolic works, in homes, in schools, in parishes, in dining halls, clinics, and in the mountains; they are a testimony to the vitality of Divine Grace [Carisma Original].

Under the title of Our Lady of Bon Secours, Mary continues to reveal Jesus to the Sisters of Bon Secours in Peru and to the people whom they serve, helping the growth of the virtues and values of Bon Secours. Through a testimony of faith and service in Peru, Bon Secours is assuming a greater and greater role in the evangelization of the world.

Contact: Hermana Maria Angelita, Provincial

Apartado 743 Trujillo,
Peru (South America)