Religious community blends art and devotion through creation of liturgical ornaments

Denver, Colo., Jun 1, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The Fraternas, a religious community of women living in Denver, spend their days like many other religious sisters—they pray, share community life, and strive to evangelize to the local community. But they also try to promote the Gospel in a different way—through the creation of uniquely inspirational liturgical ornaments and vestments.

Started in Peru in 1989, the aim of the Workshops San Jose is to further the late John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization through the creation of unique liturgical tools, which, they hope, will inspire faithful with their craftsmanship.

According to the group, “The beauty and quality of our products stem from our desire to promote devotion amongst the faithful, the history of Evangelization in Latin America, and Peru’s natural resources.”

Taking St. Joseph, the craftsman as their model, Workshops San Jose gives Peruvian artisans the opportunity to hone and develop their talents.

They ask that their workers “unfold themselves in daily work, so as to give glory to God, through their service to the Church.”

The Fraternas, consecrated lay women of the Marian Community of Reconciliation, say that their goal is to “announce the Lord Jesus to the men and women of today, and to help them enter more deeply into the mysteries of the faith through the ornaments and products made in Workshops San Jose.”

The sisters are part of the worldwide community of the Christian Life Movement International, a 40,000 member religious community founded in Lima, Peru in 1985.

More information about Workshops San Jose can be found at:  www.workshopssanjose.com