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History
The Marie Poussepin Foundation
The history of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation, founded by Blessed Marie Poussepin in 1696, has its roots in the history of the Sisters of Charity of the Presentation.
The religious congregation arrived in Colombia on June 21, 1873 for the service of charity in its various manifestations: Health, education, parish ministry and social promotion.
In the 80’s as a response to the call of the Church and the Congregation, “The School of Agricultural Formation (EFA)” was created in the municipality of Machetá, where peasant women were promoted, and was directed by the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation-Province of Bogotá, whose corporate name was called “Marie Poussepin Training Center”. This operated until 2014.
The current context and the clamor of the most vulnerable motivates the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation to look for other ways to respond to this reality. Thus, on November 5, 2021, the mission of the work was reoriented and took the name of “Marie Poussepin Center Foundation”, whose purpose is to provide life opportunities and growth to the most vulnerable through organized charity. Where there is a Dominican Presentation community, there is the Foundation.
“Do whatever charity inspires you.” MP.
Source of Inspiration
Marie Poussepin (1653-1764), is a source of inspiration for the Foundation that bears her name. She, breaking the schemes of her time, gives a new meaning to the service of charity: an organized charity that promotes the person from the Gospel, especially the most vulnerable. H. Lucienne, in March 2020 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the beatification of Marie Poussepin tells us:
“Imitating the life that Our Lord led on earth”, “giving oneself to all that charity inspires”, is a goal that can only be achieved with great ingenuity, a creativity always in motion, attentive to the needs of the times and a solid life of faith, centered on Jesus Christ. To see what is good in the eyes of God and to fulfill it calls for boldness, a spirit of discernment and a particular attention to God’s calls. This is what Marie Poussepin did throughout her life.
In addition to her apostolic commitment, Marie Poussepin, with an insightful, Solomon-like spirit and great discernment, transformed the traditional industry and commerce of her hometown. She knew how to combine the spiritual and the temporal in an effective charity. We already see in her the image of the Social Apostle of Charity who, beyond the work that occupied her, sought to put man on his feet for the glory of God. (Bonkoungou Lucienne. 2020. The creative charity of Marie Poussepin).
The Marie Poussepin Center Foundation was created for this purpose, to promote the person, particularly the most vulnerable through social projects and entrepreneurship in the style of Marie Poussepin, with full confidence that God’s Providence always accompanies us when we seek the good of the person.
The Marie Poussepin Foundation
“To imitate the life that Our Lord led on earth”, “to give oneself to all that charity inspires” (R. I), is a goal that can only be achieved with great ingenuity, a creativity always in motion, attentive to the needs of the times and a very solid life of faith, centered on Jesus Christ. (Bonkoungou Lucienne. 2020. Marie Poussepin’s Creative Charity)
Our logo
Spinning wheel: As a tool for self-improvement and dignification of the person through work, it is a weaver of charity, according to the legacy of Marie Poussepin.
Door: Open, it means entrance, open to all who come to the foundation, without any distinction whatsoever.
The Arch: represents the multiple and diverse forms of solidarity. Steps: They allow to walk, to advance or to leave, to transcend.
Foundation: An organization dedicated to promoting non-profit social work.
Center: Place where different knowledge, gifts, values and actions converge and articulate in favor of solidarity projects and aid.
Marie Poussepin: founder of the Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation and source of inspiration for the Foundation.
