What secrets does Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia hold within its walls? Our journey begins in 1875. A group of nuns, the Hijas de Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia, arrived in Buenos Aires from Italy. Pope Pius IX himself had encouraged their mission. He emphasized the vital importance of educating the youth in the Americas. Buenos Aires, recovering from devastating epidemics, provided fertile ground for their work. The nuns found themselves in the then-remote district of Flores, a place of blossoming gardens and sprawling estates. They established themselves near the quinta “La Moyosa,” close to where Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia stands today.
Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia’s story is intertwined with the growth of the surrounding community. Initially, the nuns focused on providing healthcare through a small dispensary. This dispensary would later evolve into the Hospital Álvarez. Soon, they were called upon to take charge of a small school next to a modest oratory. This humble beginning in 1878 marked the genesis of the educational institution we see traces of today. The school began with a mere sixty students, both boys and girls, from impoverished families. The Archbishop, Monseñor Federico Aneiros, blessed the endeavor and encouraged community support. Even Santa Madre Rossello herself expressed her pleasure at the school’s opening in Flores.
The oratory next to the school was dedicated to the Annunciation. It housed a beautiful wooden carving of the Virgin Mary and the Angel Gabriel. This carving eventually found its place on the right altar of the current chapel. A Spanish image of the Virgin, with porcelain face and hands, adorned with velvet and lace, graced the space. This image has been preserved in the Catechism Room of Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia. The school and oratory grew over time. By 1912, the nuns acquired land and expanded the facilities. This included a main entrance, a rector’s office, a telephone room, classrooms, and dormitories for pupils. The surrounding area also transformed. Directorio street was paved, and the former quinta “La Moyosa” became the Plaza de la Misericordia that we know today.
The 1930s witnessed significant construction, including a new chapel and a building for secondary education. The institution flourished under the leadership of Rectora Hermana Berchmans Stöffel, expanding its offerings to include kindergarten, primary school, high school, and teacher training. Further expansion followed, including the addition of specialized laboratories, cabinets, and a library. The library, inaugurated in 1944, was organized by none other than Dr. Augusto Raúl Cortázar, using international standards. The school also established a remarkable natural science museum, housing a collection of over five thousand classified pieces. Its butterfly collection, donated by Fernando Bourquin, is considered among the world’s most significant. The growth and evolution of Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia reflect the dedication and vision of the Hijas de Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia. They shaped not only the institution but also the surrounding community, leaving an enduring legacy in Flores.