The Sisters of the Infant Jesus in Bembibre, León, Spain, in the second stage of Francoism: the school with no doors

Abstract

This paper examines the intentionality and resignifications characterizing the mission of the Sisters of the Infant Jesus in Bembibre, León, and surrounding villages in the 1960s and 1970s during the second stage of Francoism. The Sisters played a public role by providing a testimony of a way to live the faith that can be traced to the origins of the congregation, the pedagogical imaginary of their founder, Nicholas Barré and the French spirituality of the seventeenth century. There was a trans-temporal re-appropriation of the original inspiration of the founder. The mission with its openness and creative involvement with the community and commitment to their needs created a unique space in the town and region during repressive political times and regional socio-economic challenges.

Keywords

• nicholas barré
• bembibre (león)
• religiosas del niño jesús
• franquismo
• maestras caritativas
• espiritualidad del s. xviii.