Our international Eymardian family at the Nuestra Señora del Quinche Retreat Center in Quito, Ecuador
SSS Grapevine
A publication of the Province of Saint Ann
April 15, 2025 – 2025.8
It all started when a group of us were gathered around a table eating lunch at the “Nuestra Señora del Quinche” Retreat Center - one of our SSS accommodation sites while attending the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress held in Quito, Ecuador September 8 to 15, 2024, when the subject of my SSS involvement became the topic for conversation.
I had previously shared with some new friends that I had been a bilingual educator (Spanish/English) for over 20 years and was looking forward to the opportunity of utilizing my language skills to offer a Life in the Eucharist retreat for our Associates and Religious later in the week. Immediately an interest was expressed by all at the table of their personal desire to learn English. I casually replied that I would be more than happy to provide language lessons, but since it was time to move to our afternoon activity, I suggested that maybe we could discuss details at another meal. Sure enough, by dinner time, the word had spread throughout the retreat center that I was a bilingual educator and was willing to offer English classes.
The initial idea became elaborated with lots of input concerning the who and when and where and how details, and later in the evening a proposal was presented to our SSS General Consultor Francisco Marques (Brazil – responsible for the Americas), and our two SSS Provincials staying at the center - Fathers Marcelo Silva (Brazil), and John Thomas Lane (USA). They responded with an encouraging interest in coordinating an English Institute and agreed to continue the discussion. A formal meeting was scheduled for the next evening, including SSS Provincial Carlos Rodriguez (Colombia), who was staying at another site, and with all present on board - the original notion became a reality!
The Province of Saint Ann’s headquarters, near Cleveland, Ohio USA, would be the site of the newly created Eymardian Family English Institute. Criteria for participation was established and further organizing efforts determined that the English program would be offered in the month of July. Participants would live with the SSS community and be partnered with local Associates and parishioners for a full immersion experience. The Institute’s agenda would parallel the Blessed Sacrament community’s daily schedule including Morning Prayer, rosary, Mass and breakfast – all in English. Formal language classes would follow until lunch which would be shared with paired partners. Most afternoons would include outings to nearby grocery stores, local parks, museums, or participating in parish activities or service projects. Dinners would be shared with the SSS community, and evenings would include personal tutoring, evening programs, and preparation sessions for participants-led final week of leading morning prayers, a Holy Hour with Saint Peter Julian Eymard, and a special closing Mass. Out of town cultural excursions would be organized for the weekends sponsored by SSS Associates and parishioners.
An invitation to participate was published through our SSS international communications and within a few weeks several inquiries arrived at our Saint Ann Province Headquarters. By October, there was a waiting list, and finally 12 individuals were confirmed to participate in our initial Eymardian Family English Institute program. In preparation for the summer, Zoom English classes were initiated in January, chat sessions were held to address questions and concerns, visas were obtained, and travel arrangements were coordinated. What started as a casual lunch conversation evolved into a blessed opportunity to truly appreciate and live our internationality as a Blessed Sacrament family, responding to our call to live the mystery of the Eucharist fully and to make known its meaning.
We hope to continue our Eymardian Family English Institute program, with the next one scheduled for October 2025.
Please contact Mona at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
