At the young age of 13, Rita Vazquez has had 16 surgeries—with more to come. She cannot eat or breathe through her mouth.
She breathes through a tracheostomy tube, which uses filters to keep out bacteria. Without the filters, she risks infection— a dire outcome with her medical condition.
Shockingly, her parents’ insurance refused to pay for the life-saving filters.
Guided by the Holy Spirit
She is called “Santa Rita”—Saint Rita. Fittingly, it was three Catholic sisters who arrived to help.
The sisters serve in the Diocese of Lexington, where she lives. They arrived from Mexico not long ago as part of Catholic Extension Society’s U.S. Latin-American Sisters Exchange Program. The program brings Catholic sisters from Latin America to minister to Hispanic communities in poor regions of the U.S.
They had barely begun their ministry when the pandemic hit. However—masked and maintaining social distance—the sisters continued to reach out to the community, who needed them now more than ever.
A great gift arrived when Sister Ignacia García Ramos received $1,000 through Sisters on the Frontlines. This initiative aims to give $1,000 to 1,000 women religious to help those most adversely affected by the pandemic.
The sisters visited the family to deliver the good news, and $1,000 to provide Rita with lots of filters.
The sister are grateful to the supporters of Sisters on the Frontlines, which has helped hundreds of families in need across the U.S.
We pray that God blesses you and this family, who the Holy Spirit inspired us to support.”
Ignacia García Ramos
Watch the video below to see more from the visit:
As the pandemic continues, so does the Sisters on the Frontlines initiative. Contributions to this program bring relief, joy and renewed faith to those among us who are so adversely affected.
Find out more about this program on the Sisters on the Frontlines webpage.
Give today to help Catholic sisters provide emergency assistance to families in need.
