"I see that the Ministers to the Sick are here, the daughters of Mother Torres Acosta. These Sisters spend their nights caring for the sick and sleep a little during the day. They are an example of service unto the end, with self-denial. Continue along this path. Thank you for what you do."
-Pope Francis
"...seeing in them Christ Himself"
The Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick, consecrated as we are to the service of God and the Church, aspire after perfect charity, following Christ through the practice of the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience, living in community and dedicating ourselves for the love of God to the diligent and gratuitous care of the sick, preferably in their own homes, seeing in them Christ Himself: “I was sick and you visited me” (Mt. 25, 36).
Mary, Mother and Servant of the Lord is, in Christ and with Christ, the great and faithful Model of the social-apostolic endeavor of our religious family. The Institute of the Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick was founded on August 15, 1851 in Madrid,Spain.
Saint María Soledad Torres Acosta, chosen by God to establish, strengthen and preserve this evangelical ministry with the sick, has been recognized and proclaimed by the Church and by all her daughters as Foundress and Mother.
Father Michael Martínez Sanz, holy and fervent priest, was the initiator and inspirer of the newly born Institute and is worthy of the veneration and esteem of all the daughters of Saint María Soledad.
Our Congregation was blessed and approved officially by the Church on July 11, 1876.
We belong to the life and sanctity of the Church, being incorporated into it by our profession of the evangelical counsels.
Our Sisters
Our Lady's comforting words "Am I not here, I who am your Mother?" encouraged me to find out where God was calling me. Knowing that every day He leads me where He wants me to be fills me with such joy and satisfaction. Nothing can compare to this!
Sister Brenda
I am happy as a Servant of Mary because my present condition gives me the opportunity to identify with Christ, and in this way help other people to unite their suffering to His, all for the salvation of souls.
Sister Adriana
My vocation as a Servant of Mary Minister to the Sick is being forged day by day in the One who upholds my YES. Let us dare to take this leap of faith!
Sister María Nely
"At the heart of my vocation was a desire to serve others. What our Charism has taught me is that the greatest service we can offer is our fidelity to Christ, remaining near those who suffer like Mary at the foot of the Cross."
Sister Teresa
While growing up I never thought that I would be a religious Sister. Just like most young women, I thought I would get married and have a family. But when I had a true encounter with Christ everything changed. I heard God’s radical call when I realized that Jesus was not just a story in a book, that He was real and that He loved me no matter what I had done in my life. He touched my heart and I never looked back. Jesus is my joy, my life, my peace and my everything.
Sister Elizabeth
The greatest joy in my life is being a Spouse of Christ and serving Him in the sick. My vocation has led me to serve Christ in places and ministries that I never imagined I would be able to do. I am very grateful to God for the gift of my vocation as a Servant of Mary and above all for calling me to be his Spouse.
Thank you, Lord, for calling me to this beautiful vocation where I find fulfillment and happiness at your side.
Sister Angelica
Mary Health of the Sick
Queen and Mother of the Congregation
Virgin statue Mary, Mother and Servant of the Lord is, in Christ and with Christ, the great and faithful Model of the social-apostolic endeavor of our religious family.
Our love of God, union with Him and a pure intention of pleasing Him alone will help us acquire the complete and total readiness of Mary: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me” (Lk 1, 38).
The Servant of Mary is also distinguished by a deep, filial love of the Virgin Mary, Exemplar of a humble and hidden life with Christ in God.
A characteristic sign of the spirituality of the Servants of Mary, as it was of Saint Maria Soledad, is a solid and fervent devotion to Mary which we will express in filial praise and faithful imitation of her virtues.
Mary, under the title of “Health of the Sick” is the principal Patroness of our religious family.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and of the Church, unique cooperatrix in the restoration of the supernatural life, is our Mother in the order of grace (LG 61). After Christ and subordinate to Him, Mary should occupy a special place of preference in our spiritual life as Mother and Teacher. Mary is, in fact, model of virtue for the entire community of the elect (LG 65) and also a sign of hope and consolation.
“I have placed all my confidence in Mary: with this maxim, precious heritage handed down to our Institute, our Holy Mother Foundress reveals to us the outstanding features of her Marian spirituality, expressed in the prayer: “Mary, Health of the Sick”, invoked to obtain her maternal comfort and fortitude for those who suffer, and also in the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, co-redeemer with Christ in the work of salvation. We shall foster personal and collective love for the Virgin Mary, manifesting it with special act of devotion on the occasion of her principal feasts.
