Misión Sevilla Don Bosco _ Ecuador

1. WALKING TOWARD THE PAN-AMAZON SYNOD
“Amazon: new paths for the Church and for an integral ecology”
FMA PRESENCE AT SEVILLE DON BOSCO
(Macas - Ecuador)
Shuar resident school – Preschool Education – Elementary school – Oratory – Catechesis –
Collaboration in teaching at the Salesian school – Visits to the villages
DATA OF SEVILLE DON BOSCO MISSION
Don Bosco Seville is a rural parish situated in the Ecuadorian Amazon region at an altitude
of 1100 meters above sea level. The population is of Shuar origin. It has about 3,280 inhabitants
according to the latest census. It belongs to the province of Morona Santiago and has an area of
2,208 Km.2
The climate has a variety of factors and conditions and thus called unpredictable. It is
considered as one of the environments with characteristics suitable for carrying out any activity and
ideal for the survival of various species. It has among other things, atmospheric variables such as
temperature, precipitation, evaporation and for this reason it is stated that the parish territory has
only one predominant climate like the Mega rainy thermal. The average annual temperatures are
generally between 15 and 24 ° C, but they can on occasion be lower, especially at night and at
dawn.
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE MISSION
This region was first visited by Salesian missionaries in
1930 and Fr. Ángel Rouby was the first to live in this place.
The Salesian community of Seville Don Bosco was
founded in 1943 by Fr. Luis Casiraghi. In May of 1940, he began
the construction of a new mission and he was the one responsible
for this work. In October 1942, a part of the building was
completed and was opened as the school for Shuar boys. After the
construction of the house, on October 3, 1943, the youth residence
was transferred from Macas to Seville. This is considered the
official foundation date of Seville Don Bosco.
The next year, on July 27, 1944, some Shuar resident girls were also transferred there
together with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. The first superior of the missionary
community was the dear missionary arrived from Italy, Sr. Maria Troncatti. The community was
formed by three courageous missionary sisters.
Fr. Lova built two new buildings for the resident students and the communities of the
Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. He was the first director of this missionary
work.
Presently, there are 6 sisters at Don Bosco Seville: Sr. Luz América Cusi, the animator, Sr.
Tarcila Sarmiento; Sr. Enriqueta Romo and Sr. Victoria Bozza (whose missionary life in the
Amazon is over 85 years); Sr. Elisa Jaramillo and Sr. Mariela Brito who work together with two
volunteers in carrying out the various activities that I will describe.

2. The Sisters manage the school for 56 Shuar girls coming from various distant communities
in order to study, sometimes remaining from Elementary to High School. At the residence they have
room and board, human and Christian formation, pedagogical accompaniment, and a healthy
environment that allows them to live far from the dangers that exist like drugs, alcohol, and above
all, the possibility of a precocious pregnancy and abandonment of their studies.
Another activity that the sisters carry out is attention to the Center of Pre-school and Higher
Education “Juan León Mera”. Their association with Missionary Childhood and the youth group is
another activity that is starting, together with the oratory.
They dedicate themselves to parish catechesis in the Center, and in some other centers or
communities together with the volunteers.
The social-economic situation is very similar to the big cities because of acculturation and
the emergence of new habits brought from the cities, thus young women are exposed to many
dangers. Regarding the religious aspect, in addition to the Catholic religion, there are some religious
confessions such as evangelicals and others.
Worrisome is the situation of the groups of young people who, due to lack of a family or
negative influences, join gangs.
The resident girls of Seville Don Bosco present a Shuar dance

3. The FMA of Seville Don Bosco, the Resident students and the Provincial Councilors
The Resident Students of Seville Don Bosco

4. A group of Shuar girls
Sr. Cruz María Piña and the Councilors

5. Sr. Luz América with the Resident girls of Seville Don Bosco
This picture was taken on January 13, 2019 on the occasion of the Provincial Council
meeting that took place at Seville to be able to participate in the meeting with Msgr. Nestor
Montesdeoca and then to visit the work of Sr. Maria Troncatti at Sucúa.
The sisters appearing in the photo are: Sr. Cruz María Piña, Provincial, Sr. Ayda Tuárez, Sr.
Judith Chamorro, Sr. Rosa Villarroel, Sr. Carmen Gutiérrez, Councilor, and Sr. Luz América Cusi,
animator of Seville, Sr. Victoria Bozza and Sr. Enriqueta Romo, both of them missionaries for
many years in the Amazon.
Collaborator
Sr. Carmen Gutiérrez
February 2019