Integrative and complementary health practices (PICS), recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and regulated in Brazil by Decree No. 971 of May 3, 2006, are therapeutic approaches aimed at preventing health problems, promoting and restoring health.
The focus is on welcoming listening, building therapeutic connections and the connection between people, the environment and society. Some of these methods were already used by the Sisters when they arrived in Brazil. They had few resources to take care of the people entrusted to them, received everyone with affection and took advantage of what nature offered them, such as medicinal herbs.
The PICS are used in many places where the Sisters of Divine Providence work and they help many people, such as Mrs. Borges, 61, from Januária/MG, who uses the natural products of the "Farmacinha Dom de Deus" produced by the women's group together with the Sisters: "I have good results with the natural medicines [...]". She also uses other therapies and emphasizes: "I applied this therapy when I was very sad and depressed after the death of my father. Thank God I had good results [...]"
In Porto Alegre/RS, in an institution founded 27 years ago by the Sisters of Divine Providence, there is the Outpatient Center for Natural and Complementary Therapies, which serves the local community, where Mrs. Quadros, 70, receives nutrition and nursing care with natural therapies and says: "For me, everything here is unfamiliar. I arrived very depressed," she says with a laugh, because now she is satisfied with the results. "I have much hope and more courage, which I didn't have before."
In Paranaíta/MT, Ms. do Carmo, 59, works as an employee in the area of bioenergetic health and says: "I decided to go for therapy. After three sessions, I felt an incredible lightness in my legs, had a better sleep quality and more willingness to do my daily tasks."
In Montes Claros/MG in the "Espaço Germinar", integrative practices are used. In addition to individual counseling, one tries to be close to people in order to recognize their needs in the area of health. Every fortnight, a team of therapists made up of Sisters and Lay-people offers an "afternoon of care" for the community. Natural health has changed the life of Mrs. Soares Medeiros, who says: "The doctors had already discouraged me, I had several problems [...] then I learned that the sisters work with natural medication and therapies [...] I couldn't walk on my own anymore, but Jesus is so wonderful that as soon as I was cared for by the Sisters, I started taking the medication and doing the therapies, so everything changed. God bless every sister and member of the team for their generosity in saving lives."
There are different therapies with many advantages offered by the Sisters of Divine Providence in different places, which creates a feeling of deep gratitude in the people who benefit from them, such as Mrs. Viana Medrado, 49, who works in the "Natural Life Group" in Januária/MG. She says: "In these six years, I have been supported by various sisters and Lay-people." She emphasizes: "These therapies are wonderful [...] the work and presence of the Sisters are like a miracle of God in our lives."
Mrs. Ferreira da Silva, from Jaíba/MG, says: "I am very grateful to know the work of the Sisters of "Espaço Germinar". It is enormous what the therapies have done in my family's life, and it all brings me peace, because I know who to turn to, I know that there is a way to heal our wounds, in such a peaceful way. The work of the sisters is a blessing from God. I thank you all for your initiative in this wonderful work. When one is healed, many are healed. I am very grateful to God that I know the work of the sisters. Wherever I go, I recommend them to others."
The multiplication of knowledge is also a reality in the places where the Sisters of Divine Providence work, as Mrs. Furtado, pharmacist, biochemist and integrative therapist from Curitiba/PR, tells us: "Our experience between April 1 and 9, 2025, in the community that benefits from the project "Amazon House of Francis and Clare" was remarkable”. This was a response to Pope Francis' call in Laudato Si' and was linked to the 2025 Campaign for Fraternity. We brought the experience of Integral Care to everyone by providing a training course as well as a public lecture on Quality of Life and Integral Health, which took place in the parish of São Marcos, Manaus/AM. This was a proposal for an experience organized in collaboration with the Sisters of Divine Providence and the coordination team of the "Amazon House of Francis and Clare".
There is a multitude of testimonies and lives in our communities. It is a great joy to realize that the concern for life that we share with lay people and other life-creating places, unites us and makes us feel called and sent as women of the dawn.
These are just a few of the countless testimonies. This month we invite you to create space for sharing and learning more about other experiences of our mission, and to bring it in our prayer.