Boletín Hermano Menor
(Versión Inglesa)
It is four years now since I came back from Cuba to where I had gone to open a Franciscan Ecumenical Fraternity in the town of Cardenas in the province of Matanzas. What follows is a translation of a letter I sent to the brothers and sisters of the Order, done by Sister Mary Angela S.L.G. (Anglican Carmelite Order) and published in HERMANO MENOR, Num. 43.
I SAW CHRIST IN CUBA
After a journey of many hours of flight we arrived at the airport of La Habana at midnight, somewhat tired. To get past passport control and customs is something very slow and boring. Once past the procedures (I was lucky and passed through quickly without having to open my suitcases. They were full of medicines and presents), a coach waited for us, which carried me to Varadero where I lodged during my stay. Varadero is near Cardenas, the city where a group of brothers and sisters of the Parish of San Francisco de Asís (of the Episcopal Church) together with the rector, Rev. Emilio Martin and his wife, Rev. Griselda Delgado, had made all the arrangements, even to receiving the approbation of the diocesan Bishop, to begin the work. The inaugural act took place on 20th January at 5 p.m.
The programme which they had prepared said as follows:
- Solemn Eucharist Celebration for the Inauguration of the Franciscan Ecumenical Fraternity in Cuba.
Presenter: Bro. Pablo Manuel Alvarez, Minister General of the F.E.F. in Spain.
Celebrant: V. Rev. Jorge Perera Hurtado, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Cuba.
Preacher: Rev.Fr. Ramon Martin Rivas (Order of Discalced Carmelites)
Concelebrants: Mgr. Francisco Campos Fernandez, Vicar-General of the
Catholic Diocese of Matanzas.
Rev. René Francisco Castellanos, Pastor of the Presbiterian Church of Cárdenas.
Rev. Emilio Martin Fumero, Rector of St. Francisco de Asis.
When I read this programme I could not have believed that in a country that had persecuted every religious movement, these people felt so united and were so ecumenical to the point of celebrating and giving communion to 200 people and more, who attended the ceremony from various christian denominations, where they had people from Oblate Sisters to Brothers of the Baptist Church.
That day was for me one of the happiest of my life. Tears fell from my eyes and I could hardly read because it was something marvellous and unforgettable. I was surprised at the solemnity and the perfect unfolding of the act. The altar was adorned with rose-coloured gladioli and four dozen lilies, which gave out an enchanting fragrance. The preaching of the Carmelite Father was magnificent. He spoke on S. Francis and a Franciscan brother could not have made a more moving homily than this. Thanks to a gift which they receive from the Spanish fraternity, they were able to give a little agape to around two hundred who attended the act. A biscuit and a soft drink, which were a lot for a people where they don't have confectionery. Incredibly this act served so that many people became interested in the Order and, what is more, they enrolled themselves. A Sister began her postulancy that same day. There is a fertile field in which to work for the Lord.
Cardenas is a well-proportioned town, with two beautiful museums and an Ecumenical Centre of great activity. The countryside is lovely: great plantations of cane cover kilometres and kilometres of land.
Cuba is a miracle as I said. The cubans share all that they have, which is very much and very little. Much because they have big hearts, full of love, and little because they do not possess much of material goods. They, without wanting to, made me feel poor and miserable. We here, who live in abundance, think only about ourselves. They have a great love for everyone on earth.
I have seen Christ in Cuba, I have seen Him, I have touched Him and I have kissed Him, because each one has been Christ. Each one of these beings who drew near in order that I could speak to them. Cubans are dignified people who do not ask for charity, however much they need it. It is an unique people and I wish that my brothers and sisters could make an effort to give all that they can for them. May we not been so miserly as we have been up till now. May we not spend money on superfluous things, but set apart a portion to send to them.
This letter is already much too long for me to go any further.There are so many more things, so that it would be interminable.
Thank you for having had the patience to read me, and I ask you to pray to the Lord in your prayers for our brothers and sisters in Cuba.
Should you wish to send any donation for our brothers and sisters in Cuba, please do it in the following account:
BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA
Suc. Calle San Miguel
41002 SEVILLE (Spain)
Account Num. 0182-6005-24-020-150633 3
(in the name of Asociación Ecuménica Franciscana)GOD BLESS YOU!
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