Mission Update (if using your phone, see it under "Campaign Update" click on Supporters):
You’re invited to play our fundraiser within a fundraiser game (to see the gameboard click on Supporters) to help us repair the playground at Hogar Cristiano so the children can use it. We are in need of materials and tools to get the job done and maintain the playground and other projects for the orphanage.

THEY want to play! But have been unable to utilize the playground because the sisters want to keep them safe. The Missionary Sisters of the Assumption are a congregation of religious founded in Costa Rica to care for orphans. IAAM-CR remains in contact with Hogar Cristiano in an on-going relationship.

Our short-term missioners have visited/served 4 of the orphanages run by the sisters in Costa Rica. It was on our first visit, at Hogar Cristiano El Roble in Puntarenas, where we were called to “adopt” the country.

ORIGINAL Story
IAAM, "an International Apostolate Affirming the Dignity of Mankind" has been working in Costa Rica for over 10 years. Our on-going projects address at-risk populations in order to shore up vulnerability in the human condition. IAAM projects in prisons, refugee neighborhoods, the red light district, orphanages, and soccer schools strengthen human frailty offering relief from various attacks on individual dignity and the inherent dignity of humanity. We address factors such as hunger, poverty, sexual exploitation, educational instability, and statelessness to bring about cultural change in which human dignity is upheld and defended.

The Romeria is a long-standing observance in Costa Rica involving its Catholic culture and tradition and embodying Tico national heritage. Faith and unity are key components during this time of celebration held annually on August 2nd. Romeros (pilgrims) make the trek for days, sometimes weeks, prior to the actual holiday from all over Costa Rica and other Central American countries. They make their way to the Basilica de La Virgen de los Angeles (Our Lady Queen of Angels), in Cartago.

IAAM serves during this time each year. Mission teams form to assist IAAM in various activities serving the pilgrims and working in IAAM-CR projects or through our outreach programs.

The Romeria mission is distinguished among other times of service in Costa Rica. Those present attend to work in and among the Romeros while coming along side our missionaries in their everyday projects. It is our privilege to be present in Costa Rica during the Romeria. The 2025 team has chosen to participate as pilgrims of hope bearing hope to others on the peripheries, where the image of God in man is threatened.

It costs money to support a mission effort. During the 2025 Romeria Mission the team has scheduled ambitious undertakings including completing the building of a mission dwelling - a place in which the work of IAAM-CR takes place and from which it goes forth. The team will participate in the planning of a pop-up pregnancy help center and will distribute food during home visits to encourage the families who serve in our Cords of Love project. Being among the Romeros will be the first order of activity via diaper changing/feeding stations and Rosary distribution along different routes.

The center of operation for IAAM activity is in the city of Cartago situated in the province of Cartago. However, several of IAAM-CR's projects are located in other areas such as nearby San Jose.

Our projects in Costa Rica include:

Cords of Love – Children’s Feeding Project
Prison Ministry
Yatsar Soccer Schools

Our outreach programs in Costa Rica include:

P.E.A.R.L – Red Light District Outreach
deMANd TM
Strengthening Families Food Distribution

All donations will be utilized for the work of the Mission. Funds will help IAAM-CR meet needs within the projects and outreach programs in direct service to the people. Contact regina@IAAMission.org for more information.

Costa Rica - 2025 Romeria Mission

By IAAM

Costa Rica - 2025 Romeria Mission

Pilgrims of Hope, Bearing Hope