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Church of St. Josemaría in Chile

The Bishop of San Bernardo, Most Rev. Juan Ignacio Gonzalez Errazuriz, dedicated the church of St. Josemaría in the district of El Castillo de La Pintana. This is the first church in Chile dedicated to the Founder of Opus Dei.

Construction began in December 2007 and was finished in March of 2009. The Diocese of San Bernardo has asked priests of the Prelature of Opus Dei to take care of the pastoral activities there. The first Rector is Fr. Luis Joannon.

In March 2009, celebration of Mass and the other sacraments was begun along with catechesis for children and adults, visits to families in the area, and the blessing of homes.

The El Castillo district consists of five neighborhoods established between the years 1981 and 1986. Homeless families from almost all parts of Santiago have moved there. Today it is one of the poorest districts in the country, with a population of 200,000.

In 1996 the Nocedal Foundation opened the Nocedal School for boys in El Castillo and, in 1999, the Almendral School for girls. Between the two schools is located the Nocedal Foundation Center for Families, where parents and neighbors can take part in various workshops for professional training. The church is located next to this center.

Generous help from the families has provided the minimum needed for the functioning of the church’s activities.

Romana, n. 50, January-June 2010, p. 142.

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