Could a chapel rise amidst revolution? In 1897, Uruguay faced a tumultuous year. Political upheaval and violence shook the nation. Yet, in this very neighborhood of Sayago, the Capilla de las Hermanas del Perpetuo Socorro emerged. Three women, Ema Emilia Moratorio (later Mother Ana del Santísimo Redentor), Carolina Herrera, and Isabel Suárez, arrived in Sayago on December 11, 1897. Their mission was to establish a community, spread the Gospel, and serve the poor. The Capilla de las Hermanas del Perpetuo Socorro became a symbol of hope and resilience. Sayago, at the time, was a young settlement. It had grown around the railway station. The three women quickly recognized the need for education in this somewhat isolated community. Mother Ana, born in 1849, guided the congregation’s life. She modeled the community on the Family of Nazareth, emphasizing simplicity and joy. She envisioned the houses of the Sisters of Perpetual Help as welcoming spaces. They would encourage prayer and intimacy with God. The Capilla de las Hermanas del Perpetuo Socorro reflected this vision. The congregation dedicated itself to education. In March 1904, their first project, the Colegio Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, opened its doors in Sayago. This primary school served the girls of the area. Later, in 1961, the Liceo Madre Ana was established to offer secondary education, first to girls, and from 1966, to both boys and girls. The Capilla de las Hermanas del Perpetuo Socorro thus stood as a testament to the sisters’ commitment to the community’s well-being, nurturing both spiritual and intellectual growth.
Santuario de la Medalla Milagrosa y San Agustín
The cornerstone rests undisturbed. It whispers tales of 1896. This is the Santuario de la Medalla Milagrosa y San Agustin.