The Canossian Community of Los Hornos welcomes Mother Albertina Luiz Santos, General Councillor
“One day is like a thousand years…” (2 Pt 3:8)
2025 marks a truly special year for the Canossian Community of Los Hornos. In an atmosphere filled with anticipation and emotion, the school had the joy and honor of receiving Mother Albertina Luiz Santos, General Councillor of the Canossian Daughters of Charity.
Her long-awaited presence was warmly and wholeheartedly welcomed by the entire educational community—teachers, students, families, and Canossian Sisters—all of whom became active participants in a visit that will leave a lasting and luminous mark on the school’s recent history.
The canonical visit began with a heartfelt community gathering among the Sisters—an opportunity to listen deeply and reflect together on how to be, today, “Women of the Word… Women of Hope.”
In this moment of profound spirituality, one phrase shared by Mother Albertina especially touched everyone:
“I am here with you and for you.”
Simple words, yet full of presence, attention, and loving commitment.
The following day, teachers and morning-shift students staged a moving re-enactment of the school’s early years—founded in 1950—as a tribute to the historic visit of then-General Councillor Mother Elisa Merlo. Now, 75 years later, Mother Albertina symbolically takes up that same torch of hope and mission.
The first Canossian Sisters in Los Hornos were true pilgrims of hope: limited in material resources but rich in unwavering faith and a gaze fixed on Heaven. From those seeds, today we reap abundant, enduring fruits.
In the afternoon, Mother Albertina met with 6th-year students for an open and sincere dialogue. The students asked thoughtful questions, all met with warmth, passion, and the openness of a woman deeply in love with Christ and fully dedicated to making Him known and loved across the world.
Another powerful moment was the commemoration of St. Magdalene of Canossa and her mission in Verona in 1808—while, across the ocean, Argentina was on the brink of its independence. The historical-musical performance, featuring a cheerful candombe soundtrack and vibrant participation from 3rd-year students, moved Mother Albertina deeply, who was visibly touched and fully immersed in the joyful celebration.
The visit continued at Vocational Training Center No. 406, where young people and adults shared their personal and professional growth stories as they prepare to enter the workforce.
Mother Albertina deeply appreciated the center’s strong commitment to human development, encouraging its mission with enthusiasm and sharing inspiring stories from other Canossian communities around the world.
Although her stay lasted only three days, its impact was profound. As the opening quote reminds us, “One day is like a thousand years” when lived in faith, hope, and with the certainty that Jesus walks with us—especially through the presence and witness of the Sisters who accompany others in their vocation journey.
As the visit came to a close, the community offered a heartfelt thank you to Mother Albertina—for her luminous simplicity, for the words that sparked new light in many hearts, and for her strong, clear call to fully live out the Canossian charism:
“Be more, give more, dare more.”
These three days will forever remain engraved in the heart of the Canossian Community of Los Hornos.
