The Heritage Center is more than a place.  It is primarily a sacred space that holds and honors the stories of those who have participated in the mission of Jesus through the ministries of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI). It is meant to be a place of welcome and outreach, formation and evangelization.

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The physical spaces that make up the CCVI Heritage Center are centered around the exhibit, “A Life for God and a Heart for Others” located in the Heritage Center. They include the Chapel of the Incarnate Word, the Incarnate Word Cemetery, the Archives of the Congregation, the Brackenridge Villa (the first Motherhouse of the Congregation), Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, the Headwaters at Incarnate Word, and the Blue Hole—the headwaters of the San Antonio River.

 

These places are significant to the Congregation, and to the city of San Antonio.  For us, they also are an important part of telling our story.  A visitor can visit each of these sites by way of the Heritage Trail.  Each place is marked with a sign, holding a brief description of the site.  Wayfinding signage points the visitor to the next place on the trail.

 

The exhibit tells the stories of the Sisters and their friends in a particular way. Together, with the other sites, they tell the story of the Congregation. The stories express the core values that have inspired many hundreds of Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and others, for nearly 150 years to live lives of dedicated service.  These same values still call thousands of lay co-ministers, collaborators, students, friends, and visitors to respond, especially through our ministries, to Christ suffering in our world.

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The Heritage Center continues to develop a full range of opportunities for those with whom and to whom we minister, for members of our local communities, and friends from around the world to experience “the saving and healing love of the Incarnate Word”  through what they see and experience, and who they meet.

 

The exhibit is open from 10:00 - 3:00, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

Special tours can be arranged by calling the Heritage Center