Marie Isabelle Rosalie Renée Charrin Deverchére, later known as Sister Cecilia Charrín, was born on February 17, 1890, at Château de Néty in Saint-Étienne-des-Oullières, in the Rhône region of France. The daughter of Maurice Charrin and Cesarinne Deverchére, she grew up in an aristocratic environment alongside her sisters Gabrielle and Isabelle. Despite the comforts and privileges of her social position, she showed at an early age a deep sensitivity to the needs of the less fortunate .
During her youth, Sister Cecilia had the opportunity to participate in high society events, including banquets at the palace of Prince Albert of Monaco. It was in Monaco where her life took a significant turn after meeting the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. Observing their dedication in the local hospital, she was deeply moved by their work and decided to join the Company, responding to the divine call with determination: “Here I am because God has called me.”
After completing her religious formation, she was sent to Guatemala, arriving on August 30, 1930. From the moment she arrived, she wholeheartedly dedicated herself to serving the poor, making a great effort to learn Spanish so she could communicate effectively and better understand the community’s needs. Her practical approach led her to reorganize the distribution of food, personally collecting donations from local markets and using a cart to transport supplies for those in need.
Sister Cecilia undertook various initiatives to support the underprivileged, including the creation of daycare centers, small hospitals, social service programs, schools, and home visits. Her charisma and determination mobilized people from all walks of life—from the wealthiest to the most humble—to collaborate on her charitable projects. Even in her advanced age, she continued working tirelessly; at 83, she was still walking through the city, collecting donations and offering comfort to those in need.
On July 13, 1973, after a lifetime dedicated to service and charity, Sister Cecilia passed away in Guatemala City. Her legacy lives on through the numerous works she founded and the positive impact she had on the Guatemalan community. Recognizing her exemplary life of virtue, the diocesan process for her canonization began in 2006, and the documents were sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. On September 30, 2016, the legal validity of the process was confirmed, moving her cause for beatification forward.
The life of Sister Cecilia Charrín is a testament to unconditional dedication to others, reflecting the values of humility, simplicity, and charity that define the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. Her example continues to inspire those who seek to serve others with love and devotion.
In Monaco, she met the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, not precisely in the palace, but in the hospital where the sisters were working. She had many opportunities to meet them and observe their work on behalf of the poor and sick.
“They looked like white doves because of their white cornet and I was captivated by that.” Renée, sure of her vocation, did not hesitate to break all ties and join the Daughters of Charity: “Here I am because God has called me.” She did her seminary at the Mother House in Paris; she received the religious habit on April 11, 1923. In 1930 she was sent to work in Guatemala.
In her community life Sister Cecilia lived and practiced the virtues of the spirituality of the Daughters of Charity: Humility, simplicity and charity. With her companions she was kind, helpful, loving and respectful, always giving them an example of her great love for God and the Blessed Virgin. The Sisters who knew her and live remember her with affection and gratitude; they say that they saw in her a person of faith, hope and charity.
“The poor are my burden and my pain,” said St. Vincent. Sister Cecilia, at the Central House, opened new paths in favor of the poor, her lords and masters. Her work in Guatemala was huge; she did not do it alone; she took advantage of the strength and spirit of the laity, from the least to the greatest, from the richest to the poorest. Everyone worked with her.
For every need she sought and had a prompt response. Her love for the poor brought her suffering, insults, humiliations, rain, sun, thirst, tiredness, misunderstandings and she was even arrested by the police for begging in the street, but her good God was always there to comfort her and encourage her to go on. In her humility and goodness, there was no heart that could resist her.
Private prayer for the beatification of Sister Cecilia Charrin, Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
Our Lord and God, who raised in the heart of Sister Cecilia Charrin, Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, special zeal and devotion on behalf of the poor, your beloved, we humbly ask you for the grace of the beatification of this Servant whose gifts and talents she placed in favor of the poor, and may you obtain for us those favors that we ask through her intercession… through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, and is God for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father.
If you receive any grace by devoutly praying this prayer, please contact us at:
“Fundación Amigos de Sor Cecilia Charrin.”
2ª Avenida 13-12, zona 1
01001, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Phone: +502 2230-6874 and +502 2232-2323 CENTRAL HOUSE
E-mail: museocasacentral@hotmail.com
With ecclesiastical license as stated in Book II, Sheet 16, Items 96, 97 and 98 of the Archbishop’s Curia.
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