One of today's new religious order that is fast increasing is the "Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará" (also called " Servidoras"). In just a few years this community counts more than 1,000 members and the demand to enter this order continues to grow in girls that feel attracted to the consecrated life. One must look at the fact that they have over ninety novices and postulants without counting the numerous requests that pour in from those who aspire to join. This expotential growth is truly extraordinary. Only God could be behind this triumph of love!
The majority of the Servidoras work in the active life, however they also have the cloister for those girls attracted by the contemplative life. Those who work in the active life fight daily the good battle of faith in many fronts: working in apostolates amongst the youth and the elderly, charity towards the poor, apostolates of culture in teaching in foreign missions and local parishes. They work in pre-school nursery, in schools and in publications, they offer spiritual retreats, assist in vocations, summer camps, they assist the sick and disabled and provide material sustenance to the hungry poor and destitute. In other words anywhere there is a need for evangelizing the Servidoras are present with their joyous fervent zeal with their apostolate.
Their founder Fr. Carlos Miguel Buela is also the founder of the priests of the Religious Family of the Word Incarnate ( the Servidoras is the female branch). He imparted to these nuns his catching"'apostolic" and "missionary" spirit and by which one can be easily moved. In the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará one can see the same "thirst" to save souls like in St. Ignatius of Loyola and St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori.
Most religious orders will not accept girls that are over 35 years old, the Servidoras accept candidates of all ages but they must have clear signs of a vocation. Girls that have been unable to find a good spiritual director will be equally able to test their vocation in the convent where they will be assisted through a healthy discernment process. It is also possible to find a good spiritual director amongst the many priests that belong to their male branch the Religious Family of the Word Incarnate. These priests receive a good spiritual and doctrinal preparation. Those who have a desire to embrace the consecrated life in this order must take the vows of poverty,chastity and obedience and also take a fourth one, that of "slaves of Mary" after the teachings of St. Louis Mary Grignion de Monfort. This vow consists in a loving slavery to which one offers herself totally to Jesus through Mary.
The apostolic zeal of this young religious order is hartening. I hope that the Lord will continue to flood it with numerous vocations. There is a great need of souls dedicated to the apostolic work not only in mission lands but also in the United States of America and Europe where there is an advanced secularizzation and materialistic neo-paganism. Those who would like to experience their vocation with the Servidoras or simply request more information on the consecrated life they can contact these nuns directly at: ssvmvocations@servidoras.org
