Commemoration of the Anniversary of Casa San José in Bolivia
May 1, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, is a very special day for Casa San José in Cochabamba, Bolivia: it marks our anniversary. Fourteen years ago, we opened our doors to shelter children and teenagers in vulnerable situations, especially those on the streets, so that they might live in a dignified manner. While the youth are living at Casa San José, we work with their relatives, so that reintegration of the children into their families can be successful and they will not return to the streets.
In Bolivia, there are close to 2,200 children and adolescents living in the street, more than 1,000 living in prison with their parents (who are completing penal sentences) and hundreds more who are victims of sexual violence, slavery and trafficking.
On May 1, to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the opening of Casa San José, Msgr. Tito Solari, Archbishop Emeritus of Cochabamba, joined us and celebrated the Eucharist with the 24 children and adolescents who are currently at Casa San José. It was a very beautiful, warm and joyful celebration. Bishop Solari repeated several times to the children that what God likes most about them is that the children are always smiling and happy. “Be smiling children, bearers of light, so that you may always illuminate the world. God holds you in his heart and he loves you very much,” he told them.
In Bolivia, there are close to 2,200 children and adolescents living in the street, more than 1,000 living in prison with their parents (who are completing penal sentences) and hundreds more who are victims of sexual violence, slavery and trafficking.
On May 1, to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the opening of Casa San José, Msgr. Tito Solari, Archbishop Emeritus of Cochabamba, joined us and celebrated the Eucharist with the 24 children and adolescents who are currently at Casa San José. It was a very beautiful, warm and joyful celebration. Bishop Solari repeated several times to the children that what God likes most about them is that the children are always smiling and happy. “Be smiling children, bearers of light, so that you may always illuminate the world. God holds you in his heart and he loves you very much,” he told them.
