Santa María del Camino

Our Lady of the Way

Patacamaya is a Bolivian town situated on the Andean plateau, over 3,800 metres above sea level. It is located in the Province of Aroma, around 100 kilometres from the capital, La Paz.

From an ecclesiastical perspective, the area belongs to the Territorial Prelature of Corocoro. His Excellency Monsignor Pascual Limachi Ortiz, the Bishop of Corocoro, extended an invitation for us to bring our charism as Daughters of the Church to this simple and deeply faithful community.

We welcomed this invitation with joy, and since 30 January 2022, we have been present ad experimentum with a small community. Initially, Sisters Irene and Clementina were sent, followed by Sisters Felicidad, Herminia, and Ricarda. Currently, Sisters Maria Eva, Elvira, and Clementina continue the mission.

Our vocation is to foster a profound relationship with the Lord Jesus through prayer-spending time with Him so that we can then go out to meet our brothers and sisters and fulfil our mission. We strive to serve among this beloved people of God. Our pastoral ministry involves visiting the twelve scattered communities in the area to prepare them for the sacraments, lead group activities, engage in youth ministry, catechesis, and social outreach—particularly through the “comedor” (a meal programme) for the poorest children.

We aspire to walk alongside the people, serving them with open hearts, welcoming them, listening to them, and encouraging them. Our hope is to help them know and love God the Father, who loves us so deeply, and to draw them closer to the Church, our loving and ever-present Mother.

Our community is dedicated to Our Lady of the Way, and we entrust to her the path of synodality that is gradually taking shape within this Church in Patacamaya.