Chicken coop
Where it all began
The Sister Dulce Social Works were founded and established in 1959, but we consider 1949 to be the starting point of this story, when Saint Dulce of the Poor began caring for the poor and sick living on the streets in this space, which was once the chicken coop of the Saint Anthony Convent.
For 10 years, she occupied public and private spaces to care for her poor. This attitude bothered many people, from public officials to property owners, and she was constantly asked to leave the places she had invaded.
Concerned, and not knowing how to resolve the situation, she sheltered 70 sick people in this place, with the consent of the Mother Superior. This story was told with great affection by Mrs. Dulcinha, her closest sister and tireless collaborator:
"After Sister Dulce arranged the sick in their respective makeshift beds, separating the men from the women, she went to call the Mother Superior to show her what she had done.
Impressed by the changes, the Mother Superior asked about the chickens.
'The chickens are in the bellies of the patients, I made a delicious chicken soup! Sister Dulce replied."
Therefore, this place is considered the “Point Zero” of the institution, where the history of Love and Service of the Sister Dulce Social Works began.
The Sister Dulce Social Works were founded and established in 1959, but we consider 1949 to be the starting point of this story, when Saint Dulce of the Poor began caring for the poor and sick living on the streets in this space, which was once the chicken coop of the Saint Anthony Convent.
For 10 years, she occupied public and private spaces to care for her poor. This attitude bothered many people, from public officials to property owners, and she was constantly asked to leave the places she had invaded.
Concerned, and not knowing how to resolve the situation, she sheltered 70 sick people in this place, with the consent of the Mother Superior. This story was told with great affection by Mrs. Dulcinha, her closest sister and tireless collaborator:
"After Sister Dulce arranged the sick in their respective makeshift beds, separating the men from the women, she went to call the Mother Superior to show her what she had done.
Impressed by the changes, the Mother Superior asked about the chickens.
'The chickens are in the bellies of the patients, I made a delicious chicken soup! Sister Dulce replied."
Therefore, this place is considered the “Point Zero” of the institution, where the history of Love and Service of the Sister Dulce Social Works began.
“From the first day I put the sick in the chicken coop, I became convinced that everything works out because I am only an instrument of God.”
Saint Dulce of the Poor
MOSAIC PANEL
AUTHOR: JUAREZ PARAÍSO
TECHNIQUE: Mosaic with Vidrotil
YEAR: 1999
This work depicts Saint Dulce of the Poor with Jesus Christ in her lap, in an association with Michelangelo's famous Pietà sculpture, exhibited in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Saint Dulce of the Poor looks at those observing the scene and presents the wound of Christ in one of her hands, as if bringing upon herself all the suffering of the crucified. This sign symbolizes her dedication and sacrifice to the poor and sick. The scene is surrounded by a crowd of sick and helpless people representing pain, suffering, and death, situations with which the Good Angel of Brazil dealt with throughout her life.
By Osvaldo G. Ribeiro
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