Father John Gregory with the benefactors who donated their property for the foundation of the mission in Gualaceo.

Father John Gregory, wearing a stole woven by natives, baptizes a newborn baby.

A team effort to collect stones to be used in the construction of the church. Everyone is happy to contribute.

Don't we have the luxury of a crane to haul a concrete slab? There's strength in unity, and we all get there together.

The work is carried out with enthusiasm. It is for Our Lord and the Padres, who pay largely through their selfless service.

The good people of Gualaceo are sincerely attached to their Canadian missionaries.

Without a solid foundation, the first house threatens to collapse. The congregation helps the Fathers to build a new house.

Cuenca. The nuns put their efforts into setting up their new convent in a house donated by a benefactor.

Construction of the church in Gualaceo. When they are not busy with the ministry, the Fathers work with the workers.

Gualaceo. With very basic means, we are working at strengthening the foundation of the new church.

The church of Gualaceo will be the fruit of a great collective effort. An engineer is supervising the work. Sometimes, the municipality lends a mechanical shovel and its operator free of charge.

Work to cast the main staircase of the church. With limited means and a lot of dedication, excellent results are achieved.

San José Mission in Gualaceo. The faithful are assiduous in attending this church which they have largely contributed to build.
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Near the brand new church, Father Mathurin and some members of the San José Mission in Gualaceo.
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A moment of relaxation with the good people of Gualaceo.

On an apostolic tour among the inhabitants of the mountains, dressed in the elegant traditional costume.

A nun offers a calendar. Small merchants contribute to the support of the missionaries.

At the market, traders swap the religious calendar for fruit or vegetables.
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Knitting lessons for teenage girls who spend time with the nuns during vacation.

Distribution of basic necessities to families in need.
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A physician volunteers his expertise to the children of workers' families.
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High-speed transportation to reach the homes of people who require the services of missionaries.
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Our nuns on a makeshift bridge. One must have a strong heart and stomach to venture there.
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In an indigenous village, the Sisters bring hope and comfort to underprivileged families.

A nun cares for a lady who's in convalescence. Our Community helped to provide her with the necessary care after a tragic accident.

Called to the bedside of a dying man, the priest administers the sacrament of Extreme Unction and prepares him for death, which will lead him to his eternal destiny.
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The native villagers are always happy to welcome their Father in Faith and to receive comfort and spiritual guidance.

April 2016. An earthquake of magnitude 7.8 followed by 713 strong aftershocks devastates the provinces of Manabí and Esmeraldas. Some coastal towns are completely destroyed.

The disaster area is more than 400 miles away from our missions. Over 600 miles of roads have been destroyed. Our missionaries are organizing a supply convoy that will take more than 16 hours to reach the area.

Drinking water, fruit, rice and even chickens! The friends of the mission participated in the chore to clean them. A refrigerated truck was lent to the Fathers and the police escorted the convoy to its destination.

Nearly 29,000 homeless people are camped in makeshift tents, without water, electricity or means of communication.

Here we see the supply truck. The supplies are being distributed to those who have been hardest hit.

Many have lost everything but their lives. They must rebuild anew. The missionaries' help rekindles hope.

In the convent of Cuenca: Weekly distribution of food and basic necessities to families.

There, as everywhere else, the good Lord spoils us and provides for our needs. It is a pleasure to share the gifts of Providence.

Way of the Cross, Good Friday in Gualaceo. Loaded with the different instruments of the Passion, the faithful go up to the church.

In Machala, in the eastern and torrid part of Ecuador, our missionaries built a church to serve the region.
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Mashala. Simple and well open, because the heat is often atrocious, the chapel of the Dolorosa is very well attended.
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A procession crosses a district of the city of Machala. Prayers spread blessings and graces along the way.

A First Communion ceremony in the Church of La Dolorosa in Machala.

The children come in large numbers
to the catechism classes, which are offered
to them at a minimal cost.

It is an honour for these faithful to carry in procession the statue of their Mother and Queen.

But the Marian title most dear to the heart of Ecuadorians is that of the Dolorosa. In 1906, in a college in Quito, a painting of this Virgin came to life, opening and closing its eyes several times.