DAUGHTERS OF THE DIVINE SAVIOUR
Abbreviation:
HDS Santo Domingo 1956
(San Vincente, El Salvador)
1. FOUNDER AND FOUNDATION
a) Founder: Mgr Pedro Amoldo Aparicio (1908‑1992).
Born in Chinameca, San Miguel (El Salvador) 29 April 1908. First profession as a Salesian on 8 December 1927; ordained priest on 20 February 1937. Director of ‘Don Bosco’ in San Salvador and then in Panama. Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of San Salvador at the age of 38 on 31 January 1946.
On 2 February 1949 he took over the new diocese of San Vicente and was to be its zealous pastor for 34 years. John Paul II accepted his resignation on 16 June 1983. Having completed his service as Bishop, he devoted himself to the animation of the institute (HDS). He died on 7 September 1992.
b) Foundation: Santo Domingo, San Vicente, Christmas 1956.
The institute arose from two concrete facts, expressions of the special influence of the Holy Spirit: the wish of some young members of poor families to live the consecrated life, and the urgent need for trained Catholic teachers and catechists in a local Church with few priests.
Mgr Aparicio presented a project to the Episcopal Conference, and it was accepted. Thus, on Christmas night 1956, in conditions of great poverty, he founded the institute with five girls and called it the Daughters of the Divine Saviour. The name is a clear reference to the national patron of El Salvador.
At the beginning, the FMA sisters helped the new institute with formation and central government. The first general chapter in 1973 marked the beginning of a new and autonomous stage in its life.
The practical wisdom and generosity of the first Daughters of the Divine Saviour facilitated the gradual development of the institute, and their effective educational work was appreciated by ecclesiastical and government authorities.
2. RAPID SUMMARY
a) Approval: Erected as a pious association on 18 January 1964.
Approval of the Constitutions on 8 December 1970.
Religious congregation of diocesan right on 25 March 1972, The sisters do not wear a religious habit; they have a distinctive uniform.
They renew their vows annually on 6 January.
Since 8 December 1988 they have made perpetual profession.
Recognition of inclusion in the Salesian Family came on 5 February 1987, following insistent requests to general council.
Pontifical approval was granted on 4 March 1989.
b) Motto: Opportet Illum Regnare ‑ ‘Christ must reign.’ This is the basis of formation of the HDS sisters for mission, and expresses the same apostolic zeal as Don Bosco’s Da mihi animas.
c) Patrons: The Divine Saviour, with particular emphasis on the Incarnation and the Transfiguration; Mary Help of Christians, St Joseph, St John Bosco and the saints of the Salesian Family, St Maria Goretti a model for youth.
d) General Chapters: There have been four chapters. At the third chapter the Constitutions were revised (1987) and pontifical approval requested.
At the fourth chapter (1997) the formation plan was drawn up. The fifth chapter which was to take place in 1999 would confirm the identity of the institute and thus respond positively to its mission.
e) Diffusion:As of 8 September 1999 there are 128 Daughters of the Divine Saviour (112 perpetual professions, 16 temporary professions); 21 novices. They are in 17 communities in 8 dioceses. The HDS are working in four countries: El Salvador, 9 communities and 14 works; Guatemala, 3 communities and 7 works; Venezuela, 2 communities and 3 works; Bolivia, 3 communities and 6 works.
3. PLACE IN THE SALESIAN FAMILYa) Educative‑pastoral mission: So that we may follow Jesus Christ more closely and be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, we propose to implement the apostolic plan of the Founder: to contribute to the saving mission of the Church, dedicating ourselves especially to the Christian education of girls and young people.
Our special concern is for young people in material or spiritual need, particularly the poorest. The institute achieves this objective through religious education and the catechetical apostolate, carried out by means of its characteristic works: educational institutes, colleges, schools, catechetical centres, centres for the poor, centres for human promotion, and social works in keeping with the spirit of the institute.
The desire to offer and give their lives for Christ, in the various activities that are part of the mission of the institute, motivates the HDS sisters to be constantly in touch with Christ, to experience him profoundly every day, and to live with new fervour the virtues which make the HDS worthy of carrying out their mission. The HDS are professionally trained and avail of all possibilities for enrichment, in order that Christ may be known and loved by everybody with whom they are in contact. The institute refers to The Fruits of Preventive System in the realisation of its mission; it is inspired by the love of God, and of Jesus Christ the good shepherd who knows us, who calls us by name, and gives his life for us.
In its life and in its work of evangelisation and education Mary has a special role, as mother and teacher of Jesus and of Christians. Her offering and giving of herself animate the HDS to be, like Mary, the helpers of childhood and youth.
b) Characteristics of the HDS: The HDS sister is a consecrated religious who evangelises and educates. Bethlehem indicates the pathway of spirituality to the HDS: humility, poverty, no desire for lofty things, always available, serving her brothers and sisters, opening her heart and her arms to children and young people in the Salesian way. A special devotion to the Child Jesus helps the HDS to reach that meekness and humility of heart taught by Jesus. The poverty of the institute is derived from Bethlehem. Service to the young people around them, particularly to those most in need, calls for a heart that treasures poverty.
The HDS loves evangelical poverty, leads an austere, humble, joyful life, so that she may experience Christ as her greatest treasure. In accordance with the teaching of the Founder, she endeavours to live poverty with complete confidence in divine providence.
Service to the local Church and to parishes is carried out through educative and pastoral activities. The formation of Christian teachers and good catechists is emphasised.
c) HDS formation plan: Her continuing encounter with Christ in prayer, in the sacraments and in the poor, marks the HDS off from other women.
Her strong faith, joyful hope, and pastoral love, enable her to have no fear of losing everything in order to save the souls of those confided to her care. Each day, she endeavours to be an instrument of peace and serenity, to be a person who inspires confidence and hope, capable of understanding and reconciliation. She lives the Fruits of Preventive System in a motherly way, like our Blessed Lady, also when she is confronted with difficult behaviour on the part of those she wants to help.
She faces challenges and trials with prayer and sacrifice. Humbly and simply, she is always open to God’s plan, to orientate, evangelise and educate, wherever obedience assigns her. Aware that God loves her, she is the bearer of God’s love to those in relationship with her.
Collaboration with the Salesians of Don Bosco is an important element in HDS formation. In the various countries where we are present we consider ourselves co‑responsible with the Salesians in educational works such as schools; in spirituality centres such as retreat houses; in works of promotion such as hospitality communities.
Superior
HERMANA JESUS AMELIA ALVARADO
Contact
Hijas del Divino Salvador
Santo Domingo - dep. S. Vincente
EL SALVADOR CENTRO AMERICA
Email: Hdsamelia@hotmail.com
