“Solita” as everyone lovingly called Soledad, arrived at our school in a state of shock as she had been invited to leave the school she was attending. She loved her school but the authorities had decided she should change schools because Solita’s parents had divorced. Her mother decided to take her to Santa Rosa School. Solita made an effort to obey her mother as she had a painful feeling of rejection [from her former school.] Our school received her. According to our methodology what she needed was rectitude- moral uprightness- and love, as our educational philosophy stated.

Shortly after Solita joined our school community, her mother slid into depression and later, her mother descended into alcoholism, and as a consequence the family found themselves in a difficult economic situation. At the age of eleven, Solita had to sharpen her skills to help the family income and also take care of her little brother. At the age of twelve, she was cast and hired by the local television Channel Eleven. She continued to work, as she had to support her mother and brother. Often, she arrived at school directly from the television studio; she was extremely tired following a long night of rehearsal, but she never gave up. She grew into a determined adolescent full of courage. Now, she is a famous actress, beloved and respected in Argentina and Latin America.

Frequently, on camera, Solita expressed her gratitude to Santa Rosa School – Centro – where she was received and welcomed unconditionally, which was quite unusual in Argentina at that moment in time.

A Tribute to Solita
This past summer, the television producer, Susana Gimenez, paid homage to Solita. Solita asked them to invite those people who had marked her life. I was among those people. I was invited to participate in Solita’s tribute.

It wasn’t the best timing for me and I thought it was almost impossible to make such a trip from New York. I prayed, I meditated, and I communicated with the MSC sisters in Buenos Aires. I would only go if I saw that my trip was for the glory of God. My religious superiors gave me their consent to participate. I decided that the trip was good news!

Arriving in Argentina
I arrived in Buenos Aires on June 29th. The television tribute would be aired on July 1st. I was asked to keep my presence a secret, but the news of my arrival got out and lots of former students wanted to greet me. There were so many who asked to see me that the MSCs in Buenos Aires decided to hold a special Mass with a reception following.

So many people participated: – former students, some with their children, parents, grandparents and former teachers – more than two hundred people turned out. It was a marvelous surprise!

I lived those moments in a special way – I was overwhelmed by a deep feeling of gratitude for God. I told myself: ‘How great you are, my Lord, my God.’

The meeting with Solita, those in public during the taping of the TV program, as well as those in private, were quite deep and intense. During the talk show, it was touching to listen to Solita when she referred to the Missionary Sisters in the school as: “The women who supported me, who understood me, who helped me to be what I am in this life.” She went on to say that the she learned the devotion to help poor people because it was really a missionary school.

The day after the program aired it was reported to have had the greatest number of viewers watching it.

The television channel gave each guest on the program a present. Mine was original and touching – the presence of a group of twelve former students and teachers and a collage of photos of different moments in my missionary life and a photo of Solita which bore the inscription” “Soledad Silveyra, heroine of her own life.”

Back in the United States
Now that I have returned to the United States, I am answering all the letters that people left at the school reception. I am also writing to one of the television producers who “wants to know about Our Lord and acquire more love.”

[I prayed] God, Father of Love, increase in every missionary the passion for Christ and for humanity.

Thanks to all who made my journey possible, but above all, “Thanks, Father, for this marvelous gift in [creating] such a special moment for me.”

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