Admission to the Aspirancy – Salta, Argentina

"I am the one who commands you to have courage and steadfastness.

Do not be afraid or discouraged, because I,

your Lord and God, will be with you wherever you go."

Prompted by Jesus the Good Shepherd, accompanied by our families and communities of origin, we were able to give our initial "Yes" to Jesus upon entering the Aspirancy: Dana on April 13th and Bianca on May 11th, 2025, in the Community of Salta, Argentina.

We want to tell you a little about our journey:

I'm Dana, 24 years old, and I belong to the community of Cachi, Salta, Argentina. I spent my early years in the hills herding goats and sheep with my grandparents and mother, who instilled faith and love for God in me from a young age. Years later, I participated and grew with the GORA prayer group and Puente Movement retreats. In 2023, I met the Pastorcitas Sisters, with whom I participated in the missions in Santa Victoria Este. A year later, I was encouraged to discern my vocation with them. Currently, having found answers to my search, I find myself in the community living the Aspirancy.

I'm Bianca, 18 years old, born in Yacuiba, Bolivia. I have known the shepherdesses since I was 15 years old through catechism. I grew up in the parish in the youth group "Voices of the Good Shepherd Music Ministry," serving with singing, leading Masses, and other activities at the "St. Peter the Apostle" parish. Over the years, the desire to follow this path has grown and grown, and so, armed with courage, I took the first step as an aspirant to the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd.

In this time, we are sharing life with the sisters, integrating and adapting to this community. We are growing in the desire to continue walking with Jesus, who is the Way, Truth, and Life.

Our desire during this time is, as Blessed Alberione said, "to feel the need to imitate Jesus the Good Shepherd and follow him as the Virgin followed him, carrying her flock with her through valleys and ravines, carrying the lost sheep in her arms."

We entrust ourselves to your prayers!

Karla Bianca Salas Valdez y Dana Ayelén Ábalos