Sister Celinda was born in Ancash, Peru, and since joining the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, she has dedicated her life to serving God and others. In December, a Christmas event was held for the children of Lomas Verdes, in Villa María del Triunfo, Lima, Peru, a community for low-income families. In this interview, we talk with Sister Celinda about this event, in which 3Love also participated and where various donations were distributed, in addition to bringing joy to the children. She also tells us about the importance of helping others and shares her greatest wishes for 2026.
Tell us about the activity you carried out in December, where you made donations to children. Who were the beneficiaries and how many people participated?
This activity was carried out thanks to some women who belong to a parish group, including Mrs. Zoila, and we, the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, also participated. We work in Lomas Verdes, in Villa María del Triunfo, which is a very high area that almost no one reaches. There were 102 children at the event. Thank God, we were able to deliver all the donations, such as panettone and gifts. These children actually come from the highest part of that area, where there is no access to transportation, no bus, and they have to walk or get on a motorcycle taxi, those who have more money. These children have benefited from all the help they have been given.
What kind of donations did people receive during this activity?
They were given hot chocolate, which was prepared on the spot by the ladies from the soup kitchen. We always work with social workers. So, there was a group of ladies there who helped with the cooking. Afterwards, small panettone cakes were donated for each child along with the hot chocolate, a large panettone cake for each family, and then a toy for each child, both boys and girls.
Why do you think it is important to help others?
As Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, we find Jesus in every need, whether spiritual or material. And since we are Sisters of Charity and God is also merciful to us, we try to find that in every child, every young person, every senior citizen. It is very important not only to give them something material, but also to give them something educational, for life. Our founder always said, “Today I give you food, but if you have hands, you can also achieve something.” We also encourage them to do something different. For example, one of the sisters helped a young man from Villa María. She sent him to church, and then he studied at the teacher training college. We have tried to help him, and now he is a professional. We help them, and Christ is there, but we want them to be able to support themselves someday.
How did this vocation to dedicate your life to serving God and your neighbor come about?
My parents are farmers. I am from Ancash, where there was no high school, so I had to go to the city, two hours away by car, to attend high school. I didn’t have anyone there, but the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul had a boarding school for farm workers. So, I studied there and saw how the sisters worked with children, young people, and adults every day. That really caught my attention. They invited me to join the mission, and I stayed because I liked it. I thought, “I can’t serve others on my own.” It had to be in community, because that way you can seek resources, ask for help, and there are always very good people who will help you, such as Mrs. Zoilita or 3Love. There are people who give. Personally, I like to seek whatever help I can find, even if it’s just a grain of rice, because every little bit counts. So, my vocation was born there, because they always said that Jesus is in others, in our neighbors.
What would you say is the greatest joy that this vocation has given you on a personal level?
I feel very happy because I can do something for others. That service I can give. I know I can’t change the world, but I know I can give someone a smile, I can perhaps give an elderly person a plate of food. But I do feel very sad when I see the conditions in which some people live. That’s why I always feel so happy when I can at least do my small part for someone. For me, that’s the greatest satisfaction: seeing the providence of what we do. I used to have doubts because I had nothing, but now I know that God is always teaching me: “You know what, Sister Celinda? I’m here. You’re not alone.” That’s the greatest joy.
What work do the Sisters of Mercy of St. Vincent de Paul do?
The Sisters of Mercy of Saint Vincent de Paul have their headquarters in Ancash, where they carry out all their work. So, we have mainly come to Lima to study, and in Ancash we work with the farmers. We bring the sisters to Lima; there are few of us, but we all come here to study at the university, get a degree, and return. But when we have come here, we have not sat idly by. Instead, we have been meeting people. God has willed it so, because we have met social workers who have taken us to La Chanchería in San Juan de Miraflores and to the highlands. Here we study, but we also do these works.
What would be your greatest wish for Peru and the world in 2026?
One of my greatest wishes is education and to carry out many campaigns, for example, to prevent child malnutrition, so that people can also become more aware of children and the elderly, because there are elderly people who are very neglected. One of the wishes we have this year as a congregation is to work with single mothers, so that they become aware of what they are doing and do not have so many children, because the children suffer later on. As for young people, we work with them in confirmation and we see that many young people are lost in technology. Technology is very good, but I think that sometimes it prevents them from thinking. One of our dreams would be to find a way to ensure that young people do not just remain glued to technology, but also use it for good and use it for God, because a lot can be done.
