Astorga Diocese to bid farewell to Daughters of Charity after 170 years

The Diocese of Astorga is preparing to bid farewell to the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, marking the end of a 170 year presence in the city. A mass of thanksgiving will be held at the Astorga Cathedral on Saturday, November 7, presided over by diocesan administrator Francisco Javier Gay Alcain.

The religious order has been deeply involved in the region through various institutions, including the Colegio de la Milagrosa, the Hospital de San Juan, the former hospice and Casa Cuna, and the Colegio de Sordomudos. Their mission has spanned educational, healthcare, and social assistance for generations of children, the elderly, and vulnerable populations.

Due to a progressive reduction in membership, the community has shrunk from fourteen sisters to four. These remaining members, currently residing at the Colegio de la Milagrosa, are preparing to relocate to Pradoluengo in Burgos and the provincial house in Villaobispo de las Regueras, Leon.