The Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, founded in Mexico, have been present in the San Diego region for 94 years.
The congregation has 28 sisters and a novice serving the San Diego Diocese, from Calexico to El Cajon to San Ysidro, and points in between. Their dual ministries are the daily adoration of the Holy Eucharist and the religious education of children and youth.
The congregation was founded by Father Silviano Carrillo in Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco state, Mexico, in 1904. Today, its 500 members serve not only across Mexico but in Guatemala, Peru, Chile, and the United States.
“Father Carrillo was a strong believer in education because that’s how people can get a better life,” said Sister Adriana Rebeca Zuro, SJS, Superior for the Immaculate Conception Province, based in Bonita.
The congregation significantly contributes to San Diego Catholic schools, serving as principals, administrators and teachers.
The sisters first arrived in Calexico in 1927 and today they lead two schools there, Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy and Vincent Memorial Catholic High School. The congregation also administers Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in San Ysidro.
And it has a presence in El Cajon, where its Silviano Carrillo Center offers instruction in English and citizenship.
The community has three locations in Bonita, the provincial house, a formation house and a newly established retirement center.
The congregation offers an opportunity to explore religious life on Fridays, from 6 to 7 p.m., via Zoom, and in English and Spanish.
“We’re sister servants, devoted to the Eucharist,” said Sister Zuro. “Our service is to educate, to serve and to love.”
Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrament
Founded: 1904 in Ciudad Guzmán, Mexico
Active in the San Diego region: 94 years
San Diego leader: Sister Rebeca Zuro, Provincial Superior
Website: usasjs.org
Phone: Office (619) 267-0720
Vocation Information: Sister Katia Chávez, svocations@usasjs.org, (619) 292-2971
