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Santa Maria Magdalena’s Home is a place for unwed mothers and their children. These women and children suffer under the yoke of poverty, domestic violence, and unjust living conditions here in one of the poorest communities in the Amazonas region of Peru. The mission of Santa Maria Magdalena’s Home is twofold—that of renewing the mother’s sense of worth and restoring human dignity to mothers as well as their children.
Santa Maria Magdalena’s Home provides a loving and affirming atmosphere and a safe home, while supporting the material and spiritual needs of each unique and beautiful family. Our mission is to journey with each family, providing them with the opportunity to rediscover that they—despite the sufferings and unjust abandonment they have endured—are still very much loved by Jesus and are essential agents in the work of evangelization.
It is our mission to disciple the families, as they learn to remain faithful to the teachings of the Gospel and be fervently encouraged by their personal testimony they have to offer. It is our hope that they discover in Jesus Christ an intimate relationship, merciful love, and conversion.
“ In accordance with Christ’s mercy, the Church must accompany with attention and care the weakest of her children, who show signs of a wounded and lost love, by restoring in them hope and confidence, like the beacon of a lighthouse in a port or a torch carried among the people to enlighten those who have lost their way or who are in the midst of a storm. Conscious that the most merciful thing is to tell the truth in love, we go beyond compassion. Merciful love, as it attracts and unites, transforms and elevates. It is an invitation to conversion. We understand the Lord’s attitude in the same way; he does not condemn the adulterous woman, but asks her to sin no more (Jn 8:1-11).”
– The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World, 27 (Lineamenta, XIV Ordinary General Assembly, 2014)
Meet the Team behind Santa Maria Magdalena’s Home
Karen Del Castillo’s work is supported by advisory team members Sarah Ourso and Mallory Doktor, who helped to found the Home. The Lord has revealed to each of them uniquely that they are to take part in this beautiful mission—restoring the dignity of the poor and mistreated women and their children located in the Diocese of Chachapoyas, Peru.
Karen Del Castillo
Director and Founder
Sarah Ourso
Advisory Member
Mallory Doktor
Advisory Member
Frequently Asked Questions
- She thinks that violence is an expected part of marriage
- She believes that she can never separate or divorce because she is married in the church
- She believes that it is her fault, and she is ashamed to expose it
- Her family does not support her, or they tell her she has to put up with it
- She believes that she will not be able to support her family without his financial support
- Her relatives and friends notice it, but they say nothing
- She is unaware that she has rights and that she deserves respect and affection
- She is afraid to leave him because of threats to kill her or himself, take away children, or cut off economic support, etc.
- She is unaware of or does not trust the legal system and its response
- She believes that the children need their father
- She loves him and believes he will change
(taken from the Catholic University Symposium, Christauria Welland, PhyD)
“On average, it takes a woman 7 attempts to leave an abusive relationship for good.”
– Jane Clayborne, Director of Community Relations at The James House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence
“Violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified. Violence in any form-physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal is sinful; often, it is a crime as well” (USCCB, When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women).
If you have any questions about Saint Maria Magdalena’s Home, please contact the team at santamariamagdalenashome@familymissionscompany.com.
