Profile - Sister Mary Claudina Sanz, O.S.P.
Sister Mary Claudina Sanz, O.S.P.
Executive Director
Mary Elizabeth Lange Center
Baltimore, Maryland
Oblate Sister of Providence Mary Claudina Sanz grew up in a large, loving Catholic family in the Central American nation of Belize. Inspired by the story of Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, founder of the first Catholic religious community for black women and and a pioneer in setting up schools and orphanages serving the black community, Sister Sanz joined the Oblate community in 1961.
When Sister Sanz became superior general of the community in 1993, she decided to honor Mother Lange’s memory by reaching out to neglected and abused girls. In 1998, Sister Sanz opened the Mary Elizabeth Lange Center in Baltimore to provide residential care for up to 24 girls at a time, age 8-15, with the ultimate goal of reuniting them with their families.
Sister Sanz finds great satisfaction in seeing the young women who spend time at the Center mature.
“Words cannot express what you feel when you see these girls who have passed through here — belligerent, hard-headed, don’t want to listen to what you’re saying — but still call you back to say ‘Sister, I’m really doing well,’” says Sister Sanz.
To arrange interviews with Sister Mary Claudina Sanz, O.S.P.
or any of the individuals featured in the “You Could Make A Difference” campaign, contact Sister Mary Ann Walsh, 202-541-3200, mwalsh@usccb.org.