MMM Brazil

The 16th of September 2025 was a memorable day for the Medical Missionaries of Mary in Brazil. MMM was remembered as those who selflessly served and joined resources with the local people to work towards socio-economic, political and spiritual growth.

Capim Grosso town is one of the municipalities located 265km away from the capital city of Bahia State, Salvador and has approximately 34.000 people. The town is located in central west region of Bahia state with a semi-arid climate. The people of Capim Grosso are resilient, welcoming and joyful.

MMM lived and worked in Capim Grosso for 27 years. Throughout these years, more than 15 MMM sisters from different nationalities worked with people. The sisters engaged in different pastoral and social activities. In the first years of the insertion process, the parish had no priest and the Sisters with the laity carried out the pastoral activities.

After a few years the Jesuit priests arrived in the parish and continued strengthening the parish administration and joined MMM and laity to work towards socio-economic, political and spiritual development. The group that most benefited from the initiatives and projects were the women, children, youth and elderly.

Sr. Jean Clare Eason joined the MMM community in Capim Grosso in 2000, her missionary zeal was expressed in her joyful presence and closeness to the people. Her main passion was the empowerment of women. She joined the Movimento de Mulheres Trablhadoras Rurais. This movement promoted human rights, creating awareness of the dignity of women. Portuguese not being Jean’s first language was not an obstacle in her engagement with the people she interacted with. For example: in the nursery school she interacted with the children with a playful and childlike inner freedom.

In 2015, after a short illness which she faced with courage and faith, Sr. Jean died peacefully. In 2025, the Jesuits and people of Capim Grosso wished to honour the MMM legacy. They reopened and named a pastoral Centre as Centro de Terapias Integrativas Ir. Jane Eason, MMM.

The Centre inauguration day was a memorable celebration for people of Capim Grosso whom she loved and served dearly. The centre offers complementary therapies, thus continuing the healing mission of MMM. The people honoured the legacy and initiatives of MMM sharing about the Sisters’ giftedness.

They brought up memories saying: “The presence of MMM in Capim Grosso was very important in my life. I learnt so much with the sisters on how to help people in their need. Sr Jean’s company brought about peace and joy. Indeed, it was wonderful to serve people with each Sister”
(Sueli Cardoso).