58 CultureShock! Chile
that house special images of the Virgin or saints. These
pilgrimages may require physical hardship or sacrifice.
Pope John Paul II visited Chile in 1987 and Chileans flocked
to see him. He visited low income areas where he stressed
the teachings of Christ, the virtues of charity and the power
of love. The saying, ‘Love is stronger’ (el amor es más fuerte)
often heard in Chile was originally part of his sermon. The
government turned to him to help resolve a serious border
dispute with Argentina.
Within Catholicism there are different orders and
other organised groups. Opus Dei, which has a significant
following in Chile, is very conservative. The Jesuits, on the
other hand, have a reputation for being more liberal in
their teachings.Santa Teresa de Los Andes
Born in 1900 in Santiago to parents of great wealth, Juanita
Fernández Solar, or Santa Teresa, entered the Carmelite
Convent in the city of Los Andes at the age of 18. She took
the name Teresa in honour of the Spanish Saint Teresa of
Jesus whom she admired. A weak girl, she became very ill and
died one year later. A number of posthumous miracles have
been accredited to Teresa and she was beatified in 1987 and
finally canonised in 1993. Her canonisation represents the
power of prayers and faith.Padre Hurtado
Chileans are proud of Saint Alberto Hurtado, better known
as Padre Hurtado. Born in 1901, he was an energetic and
well educated Jesuit priest who placed great importance
upon helping those in need and the social responsibilities
of the Church and its members. He had an old pick-up truck
and was known for driving throughout Santiago, rescuing
homeless children. He took them to the home he had
founded, Hogar de Cristo (the House of Christ). He died of
cancer in 1952, but remains a very powerful figure in Chile
especially among the young. He was canonised in 2005.
His life’s main work, Hogar de Cristo, is the most successful