Sister Amparo Barrera - Caring for God's garden in heaven

Sister Amparo Barrera - 8. 5.1928 - 3.10.2024

Our dear Sister Amparo Barrera belonged to the Congregation of the Religious of Mary Immaculate, Southwell Gardens, SW7 4RN. She went to enjoy the presence of God on the eve of the feast of St Francis of Assisi. She loved nature, she left us to be able sing with the Poverello the canticle of the Creatures for all Eternity.

She was born in Santander in a small town, 'Potes', surrounded by mountains. She was the eldest of 12 and had to be a mother to all her siblings, and as her name Amparo indicates, she protected welcomed, cared for. She was large hearted and open minded.

She entered the Congregation doing her Novitiate in Logroño. She had to live the experiences of so many emigrants who as a consequence of the post-war period flocked to Germany, France and England, to whom she dedicated herself unconditionally serving and teaching them to serve both in the house in Paris and in Germany where she looked after all the Spaniards who worked in a factory living in precarious conditions. When the house in Germany closed, she was sent to London around 1956, passing through the three houses that existed at that time (Richmond, South Fields and Southwell Gardens), where she stayed until the end of her days. So many young girls have experienced her loving welcome, her unconditional dedication. She had a sensitive heart for the poor and the needy

Her love for the Eucharist and devotion to the Holy Rosary did not ever leave her till she returned to God. As she grew feeble, she said "Pray on your own, I will accompany you in my heart because my strength does not permit me to pray aloud" and she instilled it in the young girls.

A woman who stood out for her delicacy and care. She liked to please everyone. Equanimity was one of her gifts, along with joy, detail, sacrifice, hard work. She was always grateful, available, full of life... She feed the dogs and the pigeons. And in her free time, she knitted (… how much she knitted!) She gifted the beautiful work of her hands to so many. In the kitchen, where she spent most of her life, she sought to please everyone, taking care of the details with exquisite delicacy She listened with interest to everything related to the girls, the house, the Congregation… She liked to keep up to date with what was happening in the world and in the Church. … That is how we remember her.

With the departure of Sister Amparo, something good has been lost in our community, our congregation & the world, something of tenderness, something of joy, something of goodness….

We thank God for the life of Sr Amparo. We have indeed received so much from her.

LINK

Religious of Mary Immaculate: https://religiosasmariainmaculada.org/en/