The Oblate Sisters of Saint Martha are a religious institute of pontifical right, dedicated to an apostolic way of life and committed to living the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The congregation was founded in 1949 in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, by Monsignor Felipe Torres Hurtado, a Missionary of the Holy Spirit, together with Mother María de Jesús Guerrero Rincón. They are part of the Family of the Cross, a spiritual movement founded by Blessed Concepción Cabrera de Armida and Father Félix de Jesús Rougier.
Moved by the shortage of priestly vocations and the long time required for priestly formation, Monsignor Torres looked to the example of the early Church’s deaconesses, particularly Saint Martha. He recognized the valuable role that women religious could play in the Church’s mission of evangelization. Inspired by this vision, he founded a women’s congregation dedicated to assisting priests both spiritually and materially, in keeping with the charism of the Family of the Cross.
The principal Marian figure of the Institute is Our Lady of Solitude, who, after the Ascension, offered spiritual and physical support to the apostles. As such, she is a model of maternal presence and silent strength. The Institute’s patron and exemplar is Saint Martha of Bethany, who lived in profound friendship with Christ and served Him and His apostles with unwavering fidelity and boundless love—for both Jesus and for souls. Above all, she is honored for her deep personal relationship with the Lord. The Sisters embrace the motto “Unum est Necessarium” (“Only one thing is necessary”), a reminder that the ultimate priority is to please God and fulfill His will, free from the distractions of worldly concerns.
Their charism is one of profound configuration with Christ the Priest and Victim, particularly in His inner dispositions of offering and sacrifice. This spiritual identity shapes every aspect of their apostolate, which is expressed above all through a witness of consecrated life and a committed collaboration with priests. Their service is carried out through the following key areas:
- Spiritual support: By interiorizing and embodying the true spirit of the priesthood through prayer, sacrifice, and the testimony of a life offered to God.
- Substitute ministry: Especially in mission areas where priests are not present, the sisters take on roles that do not require ordination but sustain the faith communities in their absence.
- Pastoral support: Including liturgical preparation and animation, evangelization and catechesis, formation of lay evangelizers, itinerant missions, administrative and secretarial assistance, sacristy care, and related tasks.
- Material support to priests: Through the operation of liturgical workshops and the management of household responsibilities in seminaries and clergy residences—always with the conviction that in serving priests, they are serving Christ Himself.
NGSummary:
- Name: Oblate Sisters of Saint Martha
- Founders: Monsignor Felipe Torres Hurtado (MSpS) and Mother María de Jesús Guerrero Rincón
- Acronym: OSM
- Charism: True configuration with Jesus Christ, Priest and Victim
- Spirituality: To live a priestly life by making their lives an offering united to Christ’s priestly sacrifice, as the Blessed Virgin Mary did in her sorrows and solitude, in favor of the Church and the apostles. They also strive to imitate Saint Martha’s attitude in her relationship with Jesus: faith, trust, hospitality, service, friendship, limitless love, apostolic spirit, and zeal to spread God’s Kingdom—all aimed toward achieving the "one necessary thing": the glory and pleasure of God through the salvation of humanity.
- Country of origin: Mexico
- Dress: Gray color and icon
